Jim’s practice integrates all aspects of estate planning and administration, from the initial planning phase, to lifetime transactions and gifts, to estate settlement and beneficiary distributions.

Jim drafts estate plans for clients with a wide variety of personal goals and wealth. His clientele includes young families who have not yet accumulated wealth but desire to protect the family through life insurance; wealthier families needing transfer tax planning; merged families from different marriages; and closely held business owners. Jim further advises estate planning clients on the sale of assets and the allocation of business interests and other assets that are not readily divisible among beneficiaries. His involvement includes the preparation of gift tax returns where necessary. If desired, he provides guidance on prenuptial agreements and methods for maintaining the status of separately owned assets following marriage.

Jim also works with fiduciaries in balancing the beneficiaries' interests; asset allocations; and discretionary distributions. His counsel to fiduciaries includes the preparation of federal and state estate tax returns and fiduciary income tax returns. In disputed estates, he has negotiated family settlement agreements to avoid costly litigation.

Education:

• The John Marshall Law School (J.D., with honors 1992)
• Loyola University (M.B.A. with emphasis in Finance 1988)
• Millikin University (B.S. in Accounting 1982)