The Tax Code Holds The Keys To Your Kingdom.
We Help Our Clients Learn It, Master It, and Implement It To Build Generational Wealth That Empower Many Generations Of Family Members And Funds Social Causes.
Thousands served
Our experienced team of lawyers and tax professionals have worked with thousands of individuals and families with diverse goals.
Millions donated
We have helped our client strategically lower hundreds of millions in taxes while redirecting those towards charitable investments.
Billions protected
We have helped our clients protect billions of dollars worth of business assets, intellectual property, and personal assets.
Strategic Training, Consulting, And Advisory Services
Here are some of the strategic training programs and strategic solutions that we offer to business owners, investors, and high-income earners
We invite entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals who truly interested in learning the tax code so they can make highly educated and informed legal and financial decisions to start here.
This is a comprehensive crash course that focuses dives deep into the core concepts behind these layers of taxes and how to lower them legally and strategically: Business taxes, Personal income taxes, Capital gains taxes, Gift tax, Estate tax, Probate costs, Inheritance tax, Trust taxes, Step-up basis rules, and Alternative tax systems: nonprofits and foundations.
In addition, the course explore how different legal entities operate and can be leveraged to protect different assets: limited liability companies, incorporations, partnerships, wills, trusts, nonprofits, and foundations.
The course covers tax law publications, important tax law sections that impact your life, case studies and court rulings that anyone earning, investing, buying, selling, or passing on wealth should know and read - it impact you and your wealth. Learn how the law works and even fill gaps and holes that your advisors may have missed or overlooked.
We offer the following estate planning services:
Business succession planning
Partnerships and FLPs
Incorporations and LLCs
Revocable trusts and wills
Irrevocable and complex trusts
Private foundations and DAFs
An evaluation of your legal, tax, and financial puzzle
We offer a comprehensive set of private foundation strategies that are designed to help entrepreneurs and investors transform into purpose-driven impact investors by integrating a private foundation. We offer the following services for private foundations:
Creation, registration, and formulation of your private foundation
Alignment of private foundation with wills, trusts, and corporations
Annual tax reduction (AGI) by leveraging foundations strategically
Donate assets and cash to remove assets from your estate
Asset liquidation and business exits with the integration of a foundation
Foundation consulting to help your family navigate the investment fund
Help with operations, technology, grants, and donation to charities
Law Firm In A Box offers law, tax, and finance professionals a "bolt-on" tax advisory services that they can leverage in their business to:
Integrate and align their services with those offered by other professionals who are also serving the same client in a different capacity
Increase the value of your IP and offerings by offering solutions that solve six, seven, and even eight figure legal and tax obligations ("death taxes")
Increase internal profit margins and profits generated per customer without any additional overhead, marketing spend, or risks with unique tax solutions
The unique ability to tap into existing client lists, old customer databases, and existing communities that are going to purchase estate & tax services from a competitor at one point or another
Practical Case Studies
Profile: Business Owners And Investors.
8+ Figures In Present & Future Tax Savings.
We are collaborating with the owners of a consulting firm who plan to exit their business within the next two years and reinvest their profits across various asset categories.
They prefer to avoid a 1031 exchange in order to diversify their portfolio.
Our focus is on aligning their corporations, wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, and foundations from a legal standpoint, while also coordinating various tax strategies to address both current and future tax obligations.
Here are a list of tax strategies that we look at:
- Reducing income taxes on the high AGI that they currently face
- Reducing or avoiding capital gains taxes on the business sale
- Avoiding or lowering federal trust and estate taxation
- Avoiding or lowering capital gains on other asset liquidations
- Avoiding or lowering Probate and legal costs
- Avoiding or lowering state inheritance and estate taxes
- Navigating the old vs new step-up basis rules and changes
We are helping them embrace a Mini Family Office™ approach, where their business advisory, tax, and finance teams are aligned and operating from the same playbook.
One of their main goals in life is to create a legacy that's deeply rooted in social and humanitarian contribution - their vision is to incorporate the philosophy encouraged by the tax code: Do Well By Doing Good In The World!
Profile: High-W2 Wage Earners And Investors
7+ Figures In Present & Future Tax Savings
We are working with a power couple in their 40s, a lawyer and an engineer, with high AGI, paying six-figures in income taxes annually. They have two children, ages 10 and 14, and several categories of assets and investments.
Their goals include:
- Reducing their annual tax burden
- Increasing their charitable contributions
- Enhancing their insurance coverage
- Creating trust funds for their children
- Diversifying their investment portfolio
They were referred to us by a joint venture partner, a seasoned Financial and Insurance Advisor at a large investment firm who has been working with the couple for a few years.
We are helping them establish a combination of entities, including a limited liability company (LLC), a revocable trust, a pour-over will, an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT), an irrevocable trust, and a private foundation.
Each entity serves a distinct purpose, but together they create a cohesive strategy. By restructuring their existing assets (stocks, funds, crypto, and real estate) into LLCs, trusts, and foundations, we aim to reduce their current tax burden by 30% annually, while formulating alternative methods to lower "future taxes and costs" as well.
This approach also provides greater control over their investments, minimizes personal risk, and allows them to utilize gifting laws to establish robust insurance policies for their children.
Mini Family Office: Strategic JV with a personal injury law firm
Integration with a personal injury law firm
Our Joint Venture Partner:
A personal injury lawyer representing a client with a large settlement ($40+ million).
Challenge:
The client was awarded a significant personal injury settlement, avoiding income tax on the injury portion.
However, punitive damages and emotional suffering awards were still taxable, and without proper planning, the client would have not only faced a large amount of income taxes in the year of the settlement, in addition to facing probate taxes, inheritance taxes, and federal estate or gift taxes which are taxed at 40%.
Solution:
We partnered with the personal injury lawyer to implement our Mini Family Office strategy, aligning legal, tax, and financial approaches.
We established a combination of trusts and private foundations to hold and invest the settlement funds, removing them from the client’s estate.
This not only shielded the punitive and emotional suffering damages from immediate taxation but also ensured that the settlement would not be subject to the 40% estate tax upon the client’s death. In addition, we engaged the client and his family members in the foundation and helped them get crystalize their long-term goals which involved philanthropic and charitable work.
Through the trust and foundation structures, the client was able to:
- Avoid future estate tax on the settlement, preserving more wealth for heirs.
- Protect the punitive damages and emotional suffering awards from additional taxation at the income tax level.
- Put the funds to investment use while maintaining long-term tax benefits.
- Crystalizing the investment plans of the family while getting reinvesting the settlement funds into income-producing assets.
The strategic move allowed the client to secure a tax-efficient future for their settlement, preserving their wealth and creating a lasting legacy, while allowing the personal injury lawyer to increase the value of their offerings, save the client even more money and funds, and help them beat future taxes and legal costs that are sure to arise.
Mini Family Office: Strategic JV with an insurance brokerage
Partnering with an Insurance and Financial Advisory Firm – Tax Mitigation and Estate Planning for High-Income Clients
We strategically integrated our estate and tax planning services with the services offered by an insurance and financial advisory firm that mainly serves entrepreneurs, lawyers, and high-income W2 earners.
Problems addressed:
The firm’s clients, many of whom were high-income earners, faced complex estate and tax planning challenges, including hidden taxes on the assets they hold and control, such as publicly traded stock, retirement accounts, mutual funds, equities and bonds, crypto, and insurance policies.
Without proper structuring, insurance proceeds and other assets would be included in the estate, increasing estate size and tax exposure at the time of the client's death. The firm needed a comprehensive approach to help clients protect their wealth and minimize tax liabilities, particularly for those with significant insurance policies and estate concerns - especially in light of the upcoming changes to the estate and tax laws in 2026.
Solutions offered:
We partnered with the firm to introduce our Mini Family Office strategy, providing in-depth training on estate and tax planning concepts. Through this collaboration, we:
- Introduced the Tax Iceberg Model: We helped the firm and their clients understand "hidden taxes," including estate, income, and inheritance taxes that can impact high-net-worth individuals.
- Structured Insurance Policies: We provided strategic guidance on structuring life insurance policies to ensure they were placed outside the estate, preventing the proceeds from being included in estate calculations and thus avoiding estate tax exposure.
- Estate and Tax Planning Training: We trained the firm’s advisors on essential estate planning techniques, including the use of trusts, private foundations, and tax-efficient structures, empowering them to offer high-value solutions to their clients.
Outcome:
By integrating our Mini Family Office model, the insurance and financial advisory firm saw substantial benefits for both their advisors and their clients:
- Reduced Estate Size: Properly structured insurance policies were moved outside the estate, eliminating the inclusion of proceeds in estate tax calculations.
- Tax Efficiency: Clients were able to avoid hidden taxes and significantly reduce their estate and inheritance tax liabilities.
- Increased Client Confidence: Advisors were equipped with new tools and knowledge to confidently guide clients through complex estate and tax planning decisions, strengthening client relationships.
- Expanded Service Offering: The firm now offers comprehensive estate planning services, enhancing their value to high-income clients and attracting new business.
This partnership empowered the firm to provide sophisticated estate planning and tax-saving strategies to high-net-worth individuals, ensuring long-term financial security and tax efficiency for their clients.
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The Tax Code Loves Philanthropists
Why Private Foundations Are So Popular Among The Ultra Wealthy And Why Every Entrepreneur, Investor, and High-Income Earner Should Consider Starting One.
Building a Legacy: Why Entrepreneurs and Investors Should Consider Starting a Family Foundation
Having worked with high-income-earners, high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and successful investors, for the past two decades in various legal and consulting roles, one thing is crystal clear - the pursuit of a lasting legacy often extends far beyond personal wealth accumulation.
It often involves building and creating a family legacy that involves managing an extensive portfolio of assets, in addition to social, humanitarian, and charitable contributions. A family foundation is a powerful vehicle that was enacted into the law to facilitate those goals and dreams and encourages people to view success in terms of financial success, and humanitarian impact - they two go hand-in-hand.
Charitable acts can be viewed as a one-time donation, where as philanthropy is a more formal and structured method to contribution. The private foundation (sometimes called family foundation) is the legal vehicle that provides the structure to transform your legacy into one that extends beyond mere financial success.
This article explores why starting a family foundation is a strategic move for wealth preservation, tax efficiency, and fostering a culture of philanthropy and investment acumen within the family.
1. The Vision: A Multi-Generational Impact Investment Fund™
Think of the private foundation as a multi-generational impact investment fund™ that allows families to donate pre-taxed income, appreciated or income-producing assets, or even proceeds from a profitable sale, while enjoying tax benefits, and control over a tax-free investment fund that is managed by family members and empowers charitable causes.
In short: A family foundation serves as an enduring institution that transcends generations, functioning as an impact investment fund that benefits both the family and society.
By establishing a family foundation, entrepreneurs and investors can strategically allocate their wealth to charitable causes while teaching their children the principles of investing, entrepreneurship, and giving back to the community. It serves as a place of employment for future generations, allowing you to pass on your knowledge on entrepreneurship and investing, while jointly engaging in charitable work at the same time - it's a great way to "lead by example".
2. Maximizing Tax Benefits and Wealth Preservation
Pre-Taxed Income Donations: Donating a portion of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or "taxable income" to a family foundation allows for significant tax deductions, reducing taxable income (up to 30% for individuals).
Asset Donations: Transferring assets such as stocks, real estate, or proceeds from a business sale to the foundation removes these assets from the donor's estate, circumventing gift and estate taxes and potentially reducing capital gains taxes.
Estate Tax Avoidance: By removing assets from their estate, donors can significantly reduce estate taxes, ensuring more wealth is preserved for future generations and charitable endeavors.
3. Teaching the Next Generation: Investing, Entrepreneurship, and Philanthropy
A family foundation provides a unique platform for teaching the next generation about financial management, entrepreneurship, and the importance of giving back. This hands-on experience equips the next generations with the skills and values necessary to continue the family's legacy of wealth creation and philanthropy.
Investment Training: Through the foundation, family members can learn about investment strategies, portfolio management, and financial decision-making, gaining practical experience in growing and managing wealth.
Entrepreneurship Skills: Involving children in the foundation's operations teaches them the fundamentals of running an organization, fostering entrepreneurial thinking and leadership skills.
Philanthropic Values: Engaging in charitable activities through the foundation instills a sense of social responsibility, encouraging family members to contribute positively to society and find purpose in their work.
4. The Strategic Benefits: Tax Breaks and Financial Growth
Tax-Free Investment Growth: The foundation can invest its assets without incurring capital gains taxes, allowing the fund to grow more efficiently and provide greater resources for charitable activities.
Compensation For Work Performed: Family members can receive reasonable compensation for their work in the foundation, providing financial support while contributing to its mission.
Asset Preservation: Establishing a foundation helps protect valuable assets from being spent or misused by heirs, ensuring that wealth is preserved and used for meaningful purposes.
5. Creating a Structured Approach to Charitable Giving
A family foundation offers a more structured and consistent approach to philanthropy compared to ad-hoc donations. This structure enhances the impact of charitable donations and ensures that the family’s philanthropic goals are met.
Consistent Donations: By setting up a foundation, the family commits to regular, sustained charitable contributions, amplifying their impact over time.
Alternative To Traditional Investing: The foundation's investment fund or assets do not incur income tax (around 20-30%) or capital gains tax (20%), nor are they subject to gift or estate taxes (18-40%), and are not included in the donor's estate and not subject to probate. Think of it this way: In exchange, you are committing to "powering and funding" social and charitable causes by providing grants and donations that equal at least 5% of the fund's value.
Strategic Grant-making: The foundation can develop a strategic grant-making plan, identifying and supporting high-impact projects and organizations that align with the family’s values and mission.
Long-Term Vision: A family foundation allows for long-term planning and vision, ensuring that charitable efforts are not only impactful today but also sustainable in the future.
6. Steps to Establishing a Family Foundation
Define the Mission and Vision: Clearly articulate the foundation’s mission, focusing on areas of impact that resonate with the family’s values and goals.
Legal Structure and Compliance: There are multiple steps involved in creating and filing your private foundation, including state level filings, and IRS (federal) approval of your entity. It could take several months to get all the approvals so it's important to work on these strategies early in the year to ensure you can take the deduction.
Initial Funding and Investment Strategy: Determine the initial funding for the foundation and develop an investment strategy that aligns with its mission and goals. Again- timing is everything, the donation MUST be made by the December 31 of the year you are trying to claim the deduction.
Governance and Management: Establish a governance structure, including a board of directors or trustees, to oversee the foundation’s activities and ensure alignment with its mission.
Grantmaking and Program Development: Develop a grantmaking strategy, identify potential partners and projects, and create programs that align with the foundation’s mission.
7. Case Study: A Legacy of Impact
Consider the example of a tech entrepreneur who established a family foundation to support education and environmental conservation.
By transferring a portion of his company’s stock to the foundation before an exit, he was able to leverage the high gift tax exemption limits, significantly reducing his taxable estate.
The foundation’s investments in renewable energy projects generated substantial returns, funding scholarships and conservation efforts while teaching his children the importance of sustainable investing and philanthropy.
The foundation not only preserved the family’s wealth but also created a lasting legacy of impact.
Conclusion: A Strategic Move for Family and Society
Starting a family foundation is a strategic move for successful entrepreneurs and investors, offering a powerful way to preserve wealth, achieve tax efficiency, and create a lasting impact.
By thinking of the foundation as a multi-generational impact investment fund, families can ensure that their wealth benefits both their heirs and society. This approach provides a structured, sustainable way to support charitable causes, teach the next generation about financial management and philanthropy, and enjoy significant tax benefits.
"We see our philanthropic work as an opportunity to learn and grow," Zuckerberg stated in a public letter. "It's a chance to understand the world better and to improve how we approach giving over time."
Next Steps
Schedule a consultation or attend a free workshop (details below).
Develop a Strategic Plan: Outline your foundation’s mission, vision, and strategic goals, ensuring alignment with your family’s values and objectives.
Launch and Scale: Begin with an initial funding round and gradually scale your foundation’s activities, leveraging investments to grow your impact over time.
The integration and alignment of your foundation could take several years, especially if you want to leverage the deductions limits more closely, which allow a 30% AGI reduction for cash and 20% AGI for assets.
By starting a family foundation, entrepreneurs and investors can create a lasting legacy that transcends generations, fostering a culture of giving, investing, and entrepreneurial spirit within their families while making a meaningful contribution to society.
This structured approach not only maximizes tax benefits and preserves wealth but also ensures that charitable efforts are impactful and sustainable. For those committed to leaving a legacy of both financial success and social good, a family foundation offers the perfect vehicle to achieve these goals.
We invite you to attend a free workshop where we discuss the above strategies in more depth and provide you with an opportunity to speak with our attorneys and tax professionals who operate in the world of foundations, day-in and day-out.
ATTEND A FREE WORKSHOP:
We invite you to attend a free workshop where we discuss the above strategies in more depth and provide you with an opportunity to speak with our attorneys and tax professionals who operate in the world of foundations, day-in and day-out.
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The information contained on this page does not constitute legal, tax, of financial advice and is strictly for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult an attorney or advisor in your area to get a second opinion on legal matters. We are a consulting firm that houses attorneys, accountants, and other licensed professionals who who execute strategies for our clients. No attorney-client relationship is formed by scheduling a call, filling out forms, attending workshops, participating in the Hotline, or by sending us an email.