Lawrence J Pirtle

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Trusts and Estates

The Trusts and Estates Practice counsels clients on strategies for planning the accumulation, management and transfer of wealth. We are uniquely qualified to provide these services because of our knowledge of the laws concerning estate planning and the administration of estates and trusts, and because we understand the personal nature of this practice. We are skilled in the complicated state and federal laws governing will and trust litigation and tax controversies, while understanding the sensitive family and personal issues of our clients as they relate to these matters. Areas of practice include:

Estate Planning

The attorneys of the Trusts & Estates practice assist clients in all forms of estate planning, from traditional estate planning techniques (such as Wills and Revocable Trusts) to the most advanced level of tax-saving strategies (such as family limited partnerships, grantor retained annuity trusts, and sales to defective grantor trusts). Due to Gardere’s extensive representation of corporations and other businesses, the attorneys have comprehensive knowledge and experience regarding estate planning for business owners, including strategies for transition events in the business (such as sales or initial public offerings) and succession planning for a business owner’s death or retirement. Attorneys also provide counsel regarding techniques for charitable giving, such as private foundations, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable lead trusts.

Administration of Estates and Trusts

The attorneys of the Trusts & Estates Practice have experience in all aspects of the administration of estates and trusts. Attorneys represent executors in the administration of estates and can assist the executor with the required legal and tax work associated with administering a large estate. Also attorneys represent beneficiaries of estates and trusts who want legal advice during the administration. Some of these activities include representing the executor before the probate court, preparing federal estate tax returns, and post-mortem planning. In addition, attorneys represent existing trusts and their trustees, providing guidance to the trustee so that taxes are reduced and trust assets are preserved and the intent of the trust grantors and needs of the trust beneficiaries are effectively served over time.

Will and Trust Litigation and Tax Controversies

The Trusts & Estates Practice has experience in handling a variety of contested and complex trust and estate matters. Representation includes defense of executors and trustees in proceedings challenging the manner in which they have administered an estate or trust. Attorneys also represent beneficiaries of substantial estates and trusts in litigation seeking to assert their rights in response to acts or omissions by fiduciaries. Attorneys in the Trusts & Estates Practice have extensive experience in representing clients in tax controversies.

Fellow - American College of Trust & Estate Counsel

Lawrence J Pirtle
Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP
1000 Louisiana St #3400
Houston TX 77002-5007
Tel: 713 276-5721
Fax: 713 276-6721
E-mail: lpirtle@gardere.com

Area(s) of Expertise
* Tax
- Federal, State, and International Tax
- Trusts and Estates

Lawrence J. Pirtle has more than 38 years experience as a lawyer. He concentrates his practice in the areas of federal and state taxation; tax and estate planning; wills and trusts; probate, estate and trust administration; tax-exempt organizations; business entity formation, property and family wealth management and transfers. His practice includes representing clients in tax controversies before the Internal Revenue Service and Texas tax authorities.
Clients and Matters

Mr. Pirtle represents and has represented many individual, business and institutional clients in matters and transactions of varied scope, size and complexity within his areas of practice. Mr. Pirtle’s representative matters on behalf of his clients cover a broad range, including:
* Wealth transfers, wills, trusts, and associated planning.
* Planning, formation, operation and transfers of family business and property ventures, including corporations, partnerships (general and limited), limited liability companies and trusts.
* Representation of executors and trustees in connection with administration of estates and trusts and related matters.
* Representation of estate and trust beneficiaries.
* Federal and state taxation issues, and related planning.
* Controverted tax matters before federal and state tax authorities.
* Property agreements, pre-and post-marital agreements and related matters.
* Charitable planning, family foundations, and representation of tax-exempt organizations.