Overview
Bill advises individuals and businesses on complex estate planning, taxation and corporate law.
Bill has more than 35 years of legal and tax experience counseling clients with crafting effective and comprehensive succession plans. He has considerable experience with both business succession and charitable planning. Bill helps clients navigate multifaceted charitable tax planning in the context of business transactions. He guides clients in their estate and tax planning as they work with other professionals, including appraisers, accountants, investment specialists and other insurance advisors. Bill advises clients on asset protection, deferred payment of estate taxes and changes to the tax law and how those affect business succession plans.
Bill is licensed in Minnesota, Florida, South Dakota and Arizona, is a fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and former chair of the Business Planning Group of the Real Property Trust and Estate Law Section of the American Bar Association (ABA), which deals with tax planning issues that affect family businesses. Bill is a frequent writer and lecturer, and as a part of his advocacy work with bar associations, he has submitted comments to the IRS and Congress on the effects of estate tax issues. For 10 years, Bill taught law courses at William Mitchell College of Law in trusts and estate law and in estate taxation. Bill is a former certified public accountant and has significant knowledge in income taxation of individuals, trusts and businesses.
Services
Experience
Multi-State Practice
- Being licensed in Minnesota, Arizona and Florida Bill has helped many Minnesota snowbirds navigate the complex income tax rules involved in changing residence. Being licensed in South Dakota, Bill has introduced clients to the many tax and non-tax advantages of South Dakota trusts.
Complex Giving & Asset Transfer Strategies
- Bill has significant experience in drafting complex trusts to help clients transfer their wealth to successive generations.
Credentials
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 1984
- University of Minnesota, B.A., B.S., 1976 and 1978
Admissions
- Arizona, 2015
- Florida, 1995
- Minnesota, 1984
- South Dakota, 2014
Recognition
- Minnesota Super Lawyers, Estate Planning & Probate, 2005-2024
- Lawyer of the Year, Non-Profit/Charities Law, Best Lawyers in America, 2017
- Non-Profit/Charities Law, Best Lawyers in America, 2017-present
- Top 40 Minnesota Estate Planning Attorney, Super Lawyers, 2005
Civic & Professional
Professional Activities
- Board Certified in Taxation, The Florida Bar, June 2001-present
Community
- Make-A-Wish Foundation, Board Member, Planned Giving Committee; 1999-2000
- Food & Packaging Resource Group, Board of Advisors, 2000
- PACER, Corporate Sponsorship Committee, 2007-2008
- Mary T, Inc., Advisory Board Member, 2006-2016
- Benilde-St. Margaret's School, Planned Giving Committee, 2005-2007
News & Insights
News
Publications & Presentations
Featured in “Profiles in Membership,” Probate & Property Magazine, an ABA RPTE Publication, July/August 2011
“Asset Protection and the Limited Liability Company, Not the Panacea of Creditor Protection That You Might Think!,” Probate & Property Magazine, the Magazine of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association, November/December2009
“The Family Cabin LLC,” Probate & Property Magazine, the Magazine of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association, March 2009
“The IRS’ Section 6166 Security Dance, IRS Notice 2007-90 and Security for Deferred Payment of Estate Taxes Under Section 6166,” Probate & Property Magazine, the Magazine of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association, July 2008
Quoted in “Tax Tactics for Multi-Staters,” Consumer Reports-Money Advisor, September 2007
Quoted in “Appraisers’ Valuations for Tax Filings Come Under Microscope with New Law,” Wall Street Journal, February 27, 2007
“Income Tax Reimbursement Clauses In Irrevocable Grantor Trusts-When To Use Them And When Not To Use Them,” Probate & Property Magazine, the Magazine of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association, April/May 2005
“Leaving Minnesota, Residency Rules Can be Tricky, Especially for Folks with Two Homes,” Star Tribune, July 17, 2004
“Property Interests in More Than One State After the Demise of The State Death Tax Credit,” Probate & Property Magazine, the Magazine of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association, September/October 2004
Contributor, “A Client’s Death Doesn’t Mean All Planning Must Rest in Peace; Qualified Disclaimers and Other Keys to Post-Mortem Planning Opportunities,” Probate & Property Magazine, the Magazine of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association (ABA); May/June 2003
“Leveraged Transfers of Business Assets,” Probate & Property Magazine, the Magazine of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association (ABA), November/December 2002
“Spendthrift Trust Rules,” Bench & Bar of Minnesota, Volume LIX, Number VII, pages 23-28, August 2002
“Icarian Estate Planning,” Bench & Bar of Minnesota, Volume LVIII Number VII, pages 23-26, August 2001
“Shifting Sands for Minnesota Snowbirds,” Minnesota Lawyer, Volume 4, No. 5., page 3, January 2000
“Special Powers of Appointment: The Key to Flexibility in Estate Planning,” Estate Planning, a publication of Warren Gorham & Lamont, RIA Group, Volume 27 No 1, pages 13-20, January 2000
“Gift Transactions Under the Statutory Short Form Durable Power of Attorney,” Bench & Bar of Minnesota, Volume LVI Number VIII, pages 41-43, September 1999
“Partners in Life and at Death: The New Minnesota Elective Share of a Surviving Spouse Statute,” William Mitchell Law Review, Volume 23, Number 2, pages 377-400, 1997