Private Wealth, Succession & Transfer Planning
Tax & Wealth Management
Long-Term Planning for Wealth Preservation and Ownership Transition
WH Burkley advises business owners, executives, families, and high-net-worth individuals on wealth preservation, succession planning, and the transfer of assets across generations. We provide practical, tax-efficient strategies designed to protect wealth, facilitate ownership transitions, and support long-term financial and family objectives.
Effective planning requires coordination across business, tax, and personal considerations. We work closely with clients to develop customized structures that preserve flexibility, minimize transfer costs, and align with long-term goals.
Wealth Preservation and Estate Planning
• Estate and wealth transfer planning
• Wills, trusts, and personal planning structures
• Gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning
• Asset protection and wealth preservation strategies
• Multi-generational planning initiatives
Business Succession and Ownership Transition
• Family business succession planning
• Ownership transition strategies for closely held businesses
• Coordination of succession planning with corporate and tax objectives
• Buy-sell and ownership transfer planning
• Transition planning for founders, executives, and family-owned enterprises
Fiduciary and Trust Advisory
• Probate, trust, and estate administration
• Advising trustees, executors, and fiduciaries
• Trust governance and administration matters
• Powers of attorney and incapacity planning
• Ongoing advisory support for fiduciaries and beneficiaries
Advanced Planning Strategies
• Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs)
• Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs)
• Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs)
• Life insurance-based wealth transfer strategies
• Advanced gifting and transfer techniques
Our Approach
- Align wealth planning strategies with business interests and family objectives
- Coordinate across tax, corporate, and estate planning considerations
- Focus on preserving wealth while maintaining flexibility and control
- Plan for both immediate needs and long-term generational impact
- Prioritize responsiveness, clear communication, and practical guidance
Why WH Burkley
- Integrated approach to wealth, tax, business succession, and ownership transition planning
- Experience advising business owners, executives, family enterprises, and high-net-worth individuals
- Practical strategies designed to preserve wealth while supporting long-term business and family objectives
- Sophisticated planning tailored to each client’s assets, goals, and generational priorities
- Responsive, partner-level service focused on long-term relationships and trusted guidance
Recognition
Best Law Firms | Cleveland
- Band 1 – Litigation – Trusts and Estates
- Band 2 – Tax Law
- Band 2 – Trusts and Estates
*Certain recognitions displayed on this page were earned prior to the formation of WH Burkley LLP and may reflect the accomplishments of our legacy firms, Walter Haverfield LLP and Bernstein-Burkley, P.C.