Estate Planning Services for High-Net-Worth Individuals
Complex estate laws can erode the fortune you’ve built. Whitlock guides high-net-worth individuals to minimize tax, protect assets, and pass on wealth efficiently through strategies that shield assets, slash taxes, and honor your legacy.
Why Choose Whitlock for Estate Planning Services in Springfield, MO?
- Proven since 1913. Our estate planning CPAs combine more than a century of trusted experience with today’s most advanced tools to deliver strategies that stand the test of time.
- 45+ CPAs and Professionals. You'll partner with our experts to design and implement estate planning tax strategies, trusts, and gifting plans that align with your goals.
- Boutique attention, national reach. With offices in Springfield, Kansas City, and Joplin, we proudly deliver boutique attention with a national reach, serving clients from coast to coast.
- Sophisticated vehicles. We assist your estate planning attorney to employ sophisticated vehicles such as Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs), Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs), Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs), and Dynasty Trusts to freeze asset values and lock in today’s exemption.
- Continuous plan maintenance. Our ongoing services ensure that your tax filings and funding levels remain up-to-date and effective year after year.
How Our Succession Planning Solutions Protect Your Business and Future
Objective Transition Planning
Whitlock develops structured, data-backed succession plans that prepare owners for an eventual handoff, whether it’s to family, key employees, or an outside buyer.
Tax-Efficient Ownership Transfer
We design strategies such as staged gifting, trust structures, and optimized sale modeling to reduce tax exposure and preserve the value you've built.
Reducing Family or Partner Conflict
Our advisors bring impartial structure to transition discussions, helping align expectations and minimize disputes during leadership or ownership shifts.
Avoiding Liquidity Crunches
Buy‑sell modeling and funding strategies ensure the business maintains healthy cash flow during the transition, preventing forced sales or operational strain.
Maintaining Business Continuity
We support leadership preparation, governance planning, and financial modeling so the business remains stable and positioned for long‑term success after the handoff.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning Services
When should I hire an estate planning CPA?
Engage us before liquidity events or major life changes so strategies can be structured, not patched.
Will you coordinate with my investment adviser?
Absolutely. We align portfolio moves with trust structures and gifting timelines to optimize tax outcomes.
Do you work with clients outside of Missouri?
Yes—our secure portal and national licenses let us serve high-net-worth families in all 50 states.
What’s the difference between a CPA and an attorney in estate planning?
Attorneys draft documents; our CPAs integrate tax strategy, asset modeling, and ongoing compliance.
Ready to Secure Your Legacy?
Protect your wealth and your family’s future—call 417-881-0145 or request your estate planning consult.