Estate & Tax Planning

Ours is an integrated view. It is an approach to estate and tax planning that is comprehensive, comprising an understanding of a client's financial situation, family, goals, values, risk tolerance and more.

Since families are unique, so too are the estate and tax-planning services they seek from us. For some, this might be a straightforward plan involving a will, healthcare proxy, durable power of attorney or revocable trust. For other families, it might require more sophisticated approaches, such as split interest trusts, limited liability companies, private foundations, creditor protection techniques, and more. Over time, needs will ebb and flow.

In addition to flexibility, sound estate planning requires a thorough understanding of many different types of specialized assets. These might include...

  • Partnership interests
  • Valuable works of art and other tangible property
  • Real estate
  • Privately held businesses
  • Investment vehicles
  • Retirement assets, and
  • Intellectual property

Our advisors constantly assess new planning techniques and the ever-changing tax landscape.

Our Clients

Hemenway & Barnes serves a wide range of estate and tax-planning clients. These include young families, professionals, individuals, and family groups.

We often work with multiple generations, especially where there is shared ownership of a valuable asset, such as a family-owned business or real estate. Preserving these assets for future generations involves many complex legal, family and emotional factors, as does the decision to divest assets.

First and foremost, we seek to understand our clients' appetites for risk and complexity for themselves and their family. Our goal is to put a holistic plan in place that aligns with our clients' needs and values.

How can we help you?

Trust & Estate Planning
We take an integrated approach to estate and tax planning starting with an understanding of a client's financial situation, family, goals, values, risk tolerance and more.
Charitable Planning
Our attorneys, philanthropic advisors, and tax professionals help our clients identify goals, create a giving strategy, choose an appropriate giving vehicle, and effectively implement their plan in compliance with state and federal regulations.
Tax Planning & Reporting
Individuals and families, business enterprises and nonprofit organizations rely on Hemenway & Barnes for trusted advice on a host of tax choices and how best to make an informed, tax-advantaged decision from among the many options available.

2024 Personal Tax Planning Update

The new year brings with it new tax-savings opportunities, including opportunities for tax-free gifts. The charts below show the larger gift and estate tax figures, as well as this year’s federal income tax brackets. Now is the time to consider federal estate and gift tax strategies before exemptions are scheduled to decrease by 50% in 2026.

They do both high-end planning and probate litigation. They are very good lawyers.
— Chamber’s 2021 High Net Worth (HNW) Guide

Awards & Rankings

Firm News
Hemenway & Barnes Recognized as a Leading Firm for Private Wealth Law: Brad Bedingfield and Joseph Bierwirth Featured as Notable Practitioners
Firm News
Hemenway & Barnes Named among the "Best Law Firms" of 2024 by Best Lawyers
Firm News
Brad Bedingfield Named “Go To Taxation Lawyer” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

News & Resources

Event
Paul Cathcart to Present on Post-Mortem Planning at 2024 Estate Planning: MCLE BasicsPlus!®
Firm News
Hemenway & Barnes Attorneys Named to the 2024 Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Article
Corporate Transparency Act: January 1, 2025 Deadline Approaching
How can we help you?
Learn more about how we can help with your tax and estate planning needs.
Contact Us