Estate Planning & Probate
Estate planning is a constantly evolving process for individuals. At every age, a person must evaluate his or her net worth, family needs, and planning objectives to develop a sound and tax-efficient approach to the distribution of assets. Failure to implement an effective estate plan is subjecting your assets and family to complex state law, which may or may not fit your individual needs.
Any effective estate plan begins with a foundation of the following documents:
- A Will
- A Financial Power of Attorney
- A Healthcare Power of Attorney and/or A Living Will (As of July 1, 2007, the State of Georgia created a statutory form that encompasses both documents)
As a person’s net worth increases, more complex planning may be necessary to ensure estate liquidity (the ability of the estate to pay expenses and/or taxes without forcing a sale of estate assets) and reduce tax exposures. Hoffman & Associates is highly trained in this type of estate planning and strives to stay on the cutting edge of this rapidly changing field. This planning may include life insurance trusts, family trusts, defective grantor trusts, family partnerships family limited liability companies, and more.
Hoffman & Associates specializes in probate and estate administration matters. The death of a loved one is a difficult time, we compassionately assist our clients in organizing an estate correctly and guiding their way through the probate process, including the handling of other issues, such as will contests and the appointment of executors.
In the event that a conflict arises related to your estate planning matter, our attorneys have years of experience resolving disputes through mediation or litigation. We take a strategic approach to litigation that allows us to serve our clients’ best interests. We have successfully handled estate litigation cases all the way through the Georgia Supreme Court.
Business & Tax Planning
Hoffman & Associates is actively involved in every stage of our client’s businesses. We start by assisting clients in selecting and forming the appropriate entity for their business goals and objectives. With the myriad of tax implications and liability issues, selecting not only the entity, but the jurisdiction of the business is crucial. There are real-world differences between the different states and between the types of entity, S Corporation, C Corporation, General Partnership, Limited Partnership, or Limited Liability Company.
Once the business is formed, Hoffman & Associates helps growing businesses continue operations through tax planning, employment law matters, securities laws, business acquisitions, mergers, reorganizations, liquidations, and maintenance of corporate records.
We offer a full range of transaction and contract drafting to grow your business. Our business and commercial attorneys draft a broad range of business contracts, including commercial leases, franchise agreements, distributor agreements, license agreements, promissory notes, security agreements, asset purchase and stock purchase agreements, employment contracts, non-competition agreements, independent contractor agreements, and many, many more.
Hoffman & Associates also maintains corporate minute books and other documents securely for our clients. We pride ourselves on ensuring all our client’s actions are documented with all necessary corporate formalities.
Hoffman & Associates represents over 200 corporate clients.
