Estate Planning, Probate & Tax

Milwaukee and Waukesha Estate Planning Attorneys

We work with our clients to develop personalized estate plans designed to protect their assets and ensure these assets are distributed properly upon their death. At Gatzke & Ruppelt, SC, we provide estate planning services that range from simple to complex. Our experience in estate planning provides us with the skills needed to understand each client's individual needs.

Are you interested in learning more about the estate planning services offered by Gatzke & Ruppelt? Would you like to meet with a lawyer to discuss your estate planning objectives? Please contact our firm today to arrange your free initial consultation.

Our estate planning services include assisting business owners with business succession planning. Business owners can take steps to protect their business and ensure the business is handled appropriately during the transition of ownership.

A complete line of estate planning services

A properly established estate plan can provide you with peace of mind. We know you have worked hard for your property and assets. If you die without a will (intestate), your property and assets will be distributed according to law. This means the state of Wisconsin will decide how your property and assets are distributed. An estate plan can ensure your heirs and loved ones receive the assets you want them to receive. An estate plan can also ensure you are protected from tax implications now and in the future. We work with clients to draft estate planning documents and directives that include the following:

• Wills
• Trusts
• Pour-over wills
• Generation skipping trusts
• Powers of attorney
• Health care directives
• Living wills
• Living trusts
• Guardianships
• Life insurance
• Charitable giving

Probate and estate administration

If you have been named executor of a will, you have certain responsibilities that must be met. These duties include paying debt and estate taxes, notifying the heirs, and distributing the property and assets in accordance with the will. Our firm represents heirs and executors in the administration of an estate. Disputes can and do arise during probate and include will contests, claims against fiduciaries and other disputes regarding the validity or construction of the will.

Tax and Accounting Services

Our firm offers tax and accounting services for individuals and small businesses. Specifically, we can work closley with you in the areas of:

• Tax return preparation - preparing your own income tax returns can be a very confusing task. According to a study released last year by the U.S Government's General Accounting Office, 77% of individual taxpayers believe that there is benefit to using a professional to prepare their income tax returns. Today's tax laws are so complicated that filing a relatively simple tax return can be confusing. It is very easy to overlook deductions and credits to which you might be entitled. Our firm offers complete federal, state, and local income tax return preparation services by a CPA for individuals and small businesses.

• Tax planning - advanced planning by a CPA can be a key to successfully and legally reducing your tax liability. Our firm offers the ability to go beyond tax compliance and proactively identify and recommend tax saving strategies to maximize your after-tax income.

• Tax problems - IRS or state tax audits, amended tax returns, unfiled tax returns for prior years, back taxes owed, interest and penalties can present serious problems. Our firm can provide the necessary expertise from a CPA to help you deal with these types of issues.

• Accounting services for litigation support - seemingly simple issues can become costly endeavors when a legal proceeding is introduced. Our firm can provide the necessary accounting services from a CPA to help define, plan and protect your property and future well-being when litigation is a present factor or a distinct possibility.

Are you interested in learning more about the tax services offered by our firm? Would you like to meet with a experienced CPA to discuss your personal and business tax needs? Contact our firm to schedule your free initial consultation.

Contact Gatzke & Ruppelt today for help with your probate, estate planning, and tax needs.