Richards, Layton & Finger's Tax Group assists clients with a broad spectrum of issues related to federal, state and local taxation as well as estate and fiduciary matters. The firm's tax lawyers advise and serve clients ranging from the largest multinational companies to individuals and small, closely held businesses. Clients also include public charities and private foundations as well as state and local governmental agencies. Richards, Layton & Finger's tax lawyers work closely with lawyers from the firm's many other practice areas – such as corporate, real estate, commercial transactions and banking – to address tax issues arising in those contexts.

 

Tax
From handling complex corporate reorganizations to representing clients before the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities, Richards, Layton & Finger's tax attorneys have gained the experience and expertise that such a broad-based and diverse tax practice requires. The firm's Tax Group lawyers assist clients in many different areas.

Planning and Counseling. The Tax Group advises clients on the federal, state and local tax consequences of business and non-business transactions.

Audits and Refunds. The Tax Group helps clients respond to audits by federal, state and local tax authorities so as to minimize exposure to tax assessments. The Tax Group also represents clients in the administrative appeal of assessments arising from an audit.

Litigation, Regulation and Rulemaking. The Tax Group represents clients before federal and state courts and before federal, state and local boards with jurisdiction over tax matters. The Tax Group also helps clients present their views on regulatory changes and represents clients seeking formal or informal rulings from the Internal Revenue Service, the Delaware Division of Revenue and other tax authorities.

Trusts and Estates
Richards, Layton & Finger's trusts and estates practice encompasses all facets of estate planning, estate administration, fiduciary advice and fiduciary litigation. The firm's trusts and estates clients include some of the nation's most prominent banks, trust companies and financial institutions as well as individuals possessing significant wealth. The trusts and estate practice focuses on assisting clients in a number of different areas.

Estate Planning and Administration. Lawyers in the trusts and estates practice work closely with investment advisors, accountants, life underwriters and bank representatives in developing coordinated and comprehensive estate plans. The Tax Group also represents individual and corporate executors and trustees in the settlement of estates and the administration of trusts.

Fiduciary Counseling and Dispute Resolution. The firm's trusts and estate lawyers advise fiduciaries on issues relating to tax-saving strategies, structuring of trust documents, trust and estate legislation, and the relocation of trusts to Delaware to take advantage of favorable Delaware trust law. The Tax Group represents both fiduciaries and beneficiaries in disputes involving issues such as will contests, interpretation and construction of trusts and wills, and alleged breaches of fiduciary duty. The Tax Group has extensive experience litigating these issues in the Delaware Court of Chancery.