Disclaimer

Laurence J. Kline, Partner

With over four decades of estate planning experience, Larry assists his clients by structuring trust documents to reduce or eliminate estate taxes, maximize the use of generation-skipping exemptions, and avoid probate. He prepares a wide variety of estate planning documents, such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney for property and health care, and irrevocable life insurance trusts. He also helps his clients use a variety of tax savings techniques, such as lifetime gift arrangements, charitable split interest trusts, and family partnerships or limited liability companies.

Larry has guided hundreds of families through the process of the post-death administration of estates and trusts. He is committed to bringing quick closure to this process. At the same time, Larry works to make sure that all required filings are completed and estate and income taxes are kept as low as possible. Larry frequently counsels families involved in trust and estate disputes and resolves those matters through settlement discussions, mediation or in court. He also has participated in the resolution of federal estate tax audits at the agent and appellate levels. Larry has guided many clients through the often difficult process of negotiating and implementing both premarital and post marital agreements.

As part of his practice in assisting business owners as they plan for the future, Larry explores the use of the very effective tool of transferring assets to an intentionally “defective” grantor trust. This approach can shelter a family business or other financial holdings and can significantly reduce taxes over multiple generations. A frequent commentator on this topic, Larry lectures to legal and industry groups.

 

  • Northwestern University, B.S.B.A., 1968
  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, J.D., 1971
  • Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • DuPage County Estate Planning Council
  • Illinois Association of Certified Public Accountants
  • Past chairperson and member of the Trust Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association
  • Member, Chicago Estate Planning Council
  • Member, Chicago Bar Association