Cerasa, Michael D.

I specialize in estate planning, probate, asset protection and related tax and business planning. I endeavor to identify the objectives of the client and match the plan to the person. One size does not fit all. In a relatively informal environment, as compared to downtown firms, we strive to provide high quality service, at a reasonable cost, within an appropriate time-frame. One important objective is to educate clients so that they understand what they are doing, and why they are doing it. Our clients generally express appreciation for clear, understandable information, recommendations and instruction. The firm will work closely with your CPA, financial planner, insurance professional and any other investment advisor to assure that all members of your planning team are working together in an integrated and consistent manner.

ESTATE PLANNING . Typical estate planning techniques include Wills and Living Trusts that may utilize a credit shelter exemption (A-B) trust, marital deduction (QTIP or POA) trust, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) trusts; Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs) and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs); Life insurance trusts; Other Intervivos trusts established as Educational Trusts, 2503(c) Trusts, and GST Trusts; Business transition through use of a Private Annuity, traditional sale to children or gifting plan; Qualified Personal Residence Trusts, Grantor Retained Interest Trusts (GRATs, GRITs and GRUTs) and Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs).

PROBATE . Although we try to utilize non-probate or nominal probate techniques when possible, the firm does handle a variety of probate and trust estate matters, including selected probate litigation cases.

ASSET PROTECTION . The asset protection services offered by the firm include lawful planning and restructure of investment allocation to maximize use of the Texas exemption statutes, evaluation of insurance and retirement requirements, and formation of various trusts, partnerships (including FLPs) and other entities as needed to maximize the preservation of the family assets for the family and minimize the liability of family members. This firm does not do off-shore trusts.

TAX and BUSINESS PLANNING . The firm assists many professional and business clients in evaluating from time to time their income tax status and reviewing methods for decreasing their income tax burden. Techniques may include deduction maximization, lawful reallocation of income among family members, eliminating unnecessary payroll tax expense, retirement planning and use of various entities, including partnerships, corporations, and LLCs. Related business planning includes buy-sell planning between owners and their families, liability minimization, reorganization and sale of business.

ELDER LAW . The elder law services include basic estate planning, management planning, long-term care counseling, and medicaid planning, including eligibility requirements, Qualified Income Trusts (Miller Trusts) and gifting rules and alternatives to long term care.

ATTORNEY-MEDIATOR . Ms. Caton is a trained attorney-mediator, emphasizing mediation in the context of the probate courts and civil business litigation.

SPECIAL SERVICE : Appointments as successor administrator, guardian and trustee by various courts to investigate and resolve problems when the personal representatives have failed to report to the Court.

Advisor and Pro Bono representation for volunteer guardian program, designed to coordinate lay persons to serve as guardians for the elderly when no family members are available to serve.

Select pro bono servive for charitable organizations, including new church charters and organization structures for other non-profit organizations.