Adams and Reese LLP

The Adams and Reese Estate and Wealth Planning/Family Business Consulting Team encompasses one of the largest estate and trust groups throughout the southern United States. We represent some of the most venerable and recognized families in industries such as oil and gas as well as newer wealth from technology and real estate. In that spirit, Adams and Reese provides discrete and knowledgeable counsel for the management and preservation of multi-generational family assets. 

But we go beyond the legal requirements of the family. Our attorneys often become a valued sounding board for personal and charitable decisions, an objective ear to resolve family conflicts and messenger of critical communications. Recommending resources that fit the unique circumstances and goals of each generation, Adams and Reese earns trust and loyalty that carry through a variety of life and business transitions.

Our Attorneys

We would describe our approach as creative yet cautious in blending smart estate and income tax strategies with an open-minded view of each family’s business and charitable goals. The same holds true in strategies to help the next generation manage wealth and their individual life pursuits. Attorneys on our team hold membership in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, are board certified in tax law or hold a Master’s in Taxation.

Drawing from other in-house resources as well as collaborating with a family’s other advisors, Adams and Reese brings knowledge of the real estate, oil and gas, intellectual property, environmental, maritime, transportation, timber, automotive and entertainment industries, among others.

Core Practice and Clients

Adams and Reese represents multi-generational family enterprises as well as the nonprofit organizations, foundations and educational institutions they have developed.  Our primary areas of practice include:

Planning/Administration: integrating multi-generational estate plans while taking into account estate and gift tax and income needs. We manage compliance and reporting to minimize taxes for younger and older generations and assist with transfer of wealth, valuation and business succession planning. We also are experienced in trust and estate probate administration.

Trust and Estate Controversy: advising family members in conflict by understanding the dynamics of each family and their overall values — promoting family harmony through various tactics while mitigating risk of litigation.

Philanthropy: helping family members identify charitable goals and structuring of charitable giving, planning and development of remainder trusts, foundations and other vehicles to sustain philanthropy. We also assist frequently with management of charitable institutions founded by our clients, including charter schools and not-for-profit organizations.

Representative Matters

• Consulting engagement with $500 million 5th and 6th generation family-owned business to transition control to next generation and minimize future estate taxes.
• Assisting two partners to restructure an $80 million Texas company to accommodate a partial liquidity strategy, buy-sell agreement, charitable trusts and estate tax minimization.
• International estate planning, tax planning and creation of charitable foundations for founder of public oil and gas company.
• Multi-state estate administration for large estate of high profile celebrity, including public relations issues, children from multiple relationships and substantial estate taxes.

Keeping the interests of family members in tune with their overall financial, business and charitable goals is a key strength of Adams and Reese attorneys. Contact us to learn why clients and their advisors trust us to offer straight talk and seasoned experience.