Denver Estate Tax Attorney

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If your estate is worth more than a few million dollars, you're likely facing serious estate tax implications—especially with pending tax law changes on the horizon. Federal estate taxes can claim up to 40% of your estate, potentially costing your heirs millions. Planning ahead is not just smart—it's necessary.

At Legacy Law Group Colorado, we partner with affluent families, business owners, property investors, and professionals to develop integrated tax planning solutions that legally reduce your estate’s taxable footprint. Our process is built for those who value control, legacy, and family security.

Whether your wealth comes from a growing business, rising real estate equity, inheritance, or a lifetime of savings, we:

• Assess your exposure under current and future tax laws
• Use advanced legal structures to move wealth outside your taxable estate
• Align gifting, business, and trust strategies for maximum protection
• Collaborate with your tax advisor or CPA for seamless execution

We believe you should decide where your wealth goes—not the government.

Understanding Estate Tax: Thresholds, Risks, and Future Shifts

The federal estate tax applies to estates exceeding a certain exemption amount. In 2025, this exemption is $13.61 million per person, or $27.22 million for married couples. But here’s the catch: in 2026, the exemption is expected to be cut in half due to the scheduled expiration of provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017.—down to roughly $6–7 million per person.

If you don't plan now, you could leave your loved ones with:

• Millions in avoidable taxes
• Assets forced into liquidation to cover IRS bills
• Family conflict or unplanned financial hardship

Even though Colorado currently has no state-level estate tax, the federal estate tax can still impact:

• Business owners with valuable private companies
• Families with rapidly appreciating Denver real estate
• Professionals with brokerage accounts, retirement assets, and life insurance
• Multigenerational households with concentrated family wealth

And it’s not just what you own today—it’s what your estate could be worth in 5–10 years. That’s why tax-focused planning now pays off later.

Estate Tax Planning Strategies That Work

We customize every plan using the full toolkit available under federal tax law. Our strategies include:

Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)

Place your life insurance policy into a trust so the death benefit doesn’t count toward your taxable estate. We handle trust creation, policy transfer, and trustee setup.

Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs)

A powerful way for married couples to reduce estate size without losing full access to assets. One spouse transfers assets to a trust benefiting the other, shifting value out of the estate.

Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs)

Ideal for transferring appreciation to heirs without triggering large gift taxes. We often use this for high-growth stock or real estate portfolios.

Charitable Trusts (CRTs & CLTs)

Donate to causes you care about while reducing estate and capital gains taxes. Charitable Remainder Trusts can even provide income during your lifetime.

Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs) and LLC Structuring

Transfer ownership interests in your business or real estate gradually at discounted values. Combine with gifting strategies to pass assets over time.

Lifetime Gifting and Generation-Skipping Transfers

We help you use annual gift exclusions and your full lifetime gift/estate exemption effectively—before it shrinks in 2026.

All strategies are built around flexibility, compliance, and your specific family structure.

Who Benefits from Estate Tax Planning?

You should talk to an estate tax attorney if:

• Your net worth exceeds $6 million today—or is projected to by 2026
• You own a family business, real estate portfolio, or investment accounts
• You’ve received (or expect) a large inheritance
• You want to keep control of how your estate is taxed and distributed
• You believe in passing on values—not just assets

We also work closely with:

• Multi-generational families preserving legacy wealth
• Founders preparing to exit a business tax-efficiently
• Real estate investors whose properties are rapidly appreciating in Colorado
• Blended families needing clear, strategic planning for tax fairness

Don’t wait until your exemption is cut in half. Planning now gives you the full advantage.

Real Client Success: Avoiding a 7-Figure Tax Bill

We recently worked with a Colorado couple whose net worth—thanks to commercial property, a successful tech business, and investment accounts—was projected to hit $32 million in under five years.

If they waited, they would have faced a $5–6 million estate tax bill by the time the 2026 exemption drop occurred.

Here’s what we did:

• Created two SLATs (one for each spouse) to shift $12 million out of their estate
• Established two irrevocable trusts to receive future appreciation from business equity
• Transferred life insurance into an ILIT to keep $4M tax-free
• Coordinated with their CPA to maximize annual exclusion gifting

Their projected estate tax liability was reduced by over $4.8 million, and their children’s inheritance is now protected.

Why Work With Legacy Law Group Colorado?

We combine technical tax law with human-centered planning. You get both strategy and empathy.

• We stay ahead of IRS changes and Colorado-specific applications
• We collaborate with your CPA and financial advisor as one unified team
• We make complex structures feel understandable and doable
• We’re honest, responsive, and deeply invested in your legacy

Whether your goal is to pass down a business, preserve a real estate portfolio, or simply keep wealth in the family—we design a plan that makes it happen.

Our Process: Designed for Peace of Mind

1. Initial Call – We get to know your goals, assets, and tax concerns.
2. Tax Exposure Review – We calculate your projected exposure using current and future laws.
3. Custom Planning Session – We present multiple options tailored to your lifestyle and legacy.
4. Drafting & Implementation – We build and formalize the plan, coordinating with your team.
5. Ongoing Monitoring – As your wealth grows or laws shift, we stay proactive.

You don’t need to figure this out alone—we’ve helped hundreds of families navigate tax complexity with clarity.