Ruder Ware, Business Attorneys for Business Success, Wisconsin

Business Attorneys for Business and Personal Sucess

About Ruder Ware

Attorneys & Professionals
Seminars & Briefings
Practices
Resource Center

Careers

attorneys
Daniel J. Rupar, Chair

Patrick J. Bodden
Mark J. Bradley
Linda M. Danielson
Sebastian J. Geraci
Melissa S. Kampmann
Jane E. Lokken
Mark D. Munson

Of Counsel
Jay M. Wiedenman

Paralegals

Elizabeth K. Baginski
Dawn I. Krueger
Paulette M. Oas

Diana L. Resch
Mary F. Streich
Dana L. Tesch

CPA
Patrick G. Gosz

Publications

Social Security Administration Releases Key Figures for 2012

Inherited IRAs Not Protected From Beneficiary's Creditors

2011 and 2012 May Be Opportune Times For Estate and Gift Tax Planning

Social Security Administration Releases Key Figures for 2011

The 2010 Tax Relief Act: What It Means For You

A December Gift Idea: A (Very) Low Interest "GRAT"

New Power of Attorney Law in Wisconsin

Estate Tax Update

The Window of Opportunity for Some Types of Planning May Be Closing (Quickly)

Estate Planning in 2010: Thoughts On What To Do In Uncertain Times

Social Security Administration Releases Key Figures for 2010

Questions and Answers Concerning Status of Federal Estate Tax

Flash: Congress Acts on Estate Tax Changes (but don't get too excited yet)

So You Are Ready to Serve As Your Mom's Power of Attorney?

Now is One of the Best Times to Maximize Your Estate Plan

Wisconsin Implements New Medical Assistance Rules

Survey Shows Americans Fail to Plan

TRUSTS & Estates: OVERVIEW

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For over 80 years, attorneys in the Trusts and Estates practice group at Ruder Ware have counseled individuals, corporate executives, small business owners, dairy farmers, and philanthropists on how to prepare for the future. Whether a client’s situation is straightforward or complex, our attorneys are able to implement creative and flexible strategies that fulfill a client’s personal and business needs.

We offer comprehensive services in business planning; income, gift, and estate tax planning; and trust and estate administration. If clients seek professional management of their assets and simplification of their lives, we can serve as trustees of their assets, pay their bills, and handle distributions of money. If clients are concerned about protecting their assets, we can design trusts that provide protection from the claims of creditors. If clients desire to provide for future generations, our attorneys are experienced in succession planning and working through family dynamics to achieve broad-based acceptance of a coordinated plan. Simply put, our trusts and estates team is dedicated to helping you protect, manage, and dispose of your assets as you see fit, whether that is during your lifetime, in the event of your incapacity, or upon your death.

Our trusts and estates attorneys are widely respected among their peers. Some have been elected as fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, the preeminent estate planning organization for attorneys in the United States. Others have been recognized for their service to the State Bar of Wisconsin in the areas of taxation, elder law, estate planning, and trust administration and have been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers of America and Super Lawyers.

Recent Achievements of the Trusts & Estates practice group include:

Completed the transition of a successful family business to the next generation. The transition was carefully planned and implemented over several years to lessen the burden of gift, estate, and income taxes; fully determine the commitment of the succeeding generation; and transfer control in an orderly fashion without a disruption in business. Through counseling and business structure, the senior generation resolved to transfer authority to the next and succeeding generation, thus keeping the business in

the family.
Implemented an elaborate asset protection plan for a married couple that resulted in all assets being saved except for a couple of months of care. The complex plan resulted in additional savings of more than six months of skilled nursing home care at $6,000 to $7,000 per month.
Successfully re-formed a charitable trust allowing the trustee to distribute a percentage of trust assets to the charity instead of trust income. The charity had a difficult time maintaining its operations because of the current economic environment. The trust modification allows the trustee to invest for the highest possible return without regard to whether that return is from income or capital appreciation. This permits a steady

flow of money to the charity without jeopardizing the continuation of the trust.
Assisted an elderly widow on the completion of a medical assistance eligibility plan. Although the widow had made a series of potentially disqualifying gifts prior to needing nursing home level care, the plan preserved prior gifts and protected more than one-half of the proceeds from the sale of her home. The sale proceeds from the home remained protected in an asset protection trust for the benefit of the family.

Follow this link for past achievements.

The services provided by our Trusts & Estates practice group include:

Asset Protection Planning
Elder Law
Estate & Fiduciary Litigation
Estate Planning
Family Business Succession Planning
Fiduciary Services
Probate & Trust Administration

As part of a full-service law firm, our attorneys provide clients with a one-stop approach to their legal needs. Ruder Ware, the largest Wisconsin law firm headquartered north of Madison, also provides legal counsel in Business Transactions; Litigation & Dispute Resolution; and Employment, Benefits & Labor Relations.