Why Wealthy Families Choose Monteforte Law to Protect Their Legacy
For individuals, families, and business owners with estates worth $4 million or more, estate planning isn’t just about documents—it’s about protecting what you’ve built and ensuring it lasts for generations.
The problem is that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has you in its crosshairs with both the millionaire tax and the estate tax.
But here’s the challenge: many wealthy individuals believe all estate planning attorneys offer the same service. In reality, choosing the wrong advisor can cost your family millions.
At Monteforte Law, we understand what’s at stake. Trust is the cornerstone of our practice, and we specialize in helping high-net-worth clients reduce tax burdens, safeguard assets, and protect their legacy.
The Risks of Massachusetts Estate Taxes
Massachusetts has one of the most burdensome estate tax systems in the country. With an estate tax threshold of just $2 million, families with estates worth $4 million or more can face tax liabilities running into the millions.
For example, an $8 million estate could incur nearly $1 million in estate taxes without proper planning. This kind of loss is preventable with the right strategies—but only if you work with an advisor who knows how to minimize these liabilities.
Most attorneys mean well. Very few lawyers would intentionally give you bad documents, or set you up with a failing strategy. The problem, in most cases, is that most attorneys just don’t know any better. They think they are helping you, but they are really hurting you, without even knowing it. That’s because, when it comes to estate planning for affluent families, what your attorney doesn’t know can hurt you.
I see it on a weekly basis. Someone comes in with a fancy binder and lengthy estate plan, only to have me review it and deem it totally inadequate for that client’s family and finances. I’ll often find hundreds of thousands in missed estate tax breaks.
So how do you know the difference? There are several factors to look for.
How to Choose the Right Estate Planning Attorney if you have over $4 Million in Accrued Wealth
• Look for a true specialist.
Don’t settle for a generalist. Estate planning is too important to leave to someone who “also does wills.” Choose a firm that focuses exclusively on estate planning, elder law, and probate.
• Choose someone who teaches other attorneys.
Attorneys who are asked to educate their peers are recognized for their expertise in the field. If other lawyers trust them, you can too.
• Make sure they’re published.
Look for attorneys who have written books, guides, or educational materials. This shows they understand the subject deeply—and know how to explain it clearly.
• Prioritize experience.
Find someone who’s been in practice for decades, not just a few years. With nearly 25 years in practice and almost 50 years of combined legal experience at our firm, we’ve seen it all.
• Ask about their planning process.
A reputable attorney should have a clear, step-by-step process—one that includes time to listen to you, create a custom plan, and keep that plan up to date.
• Look for ongoing client relationships.
The best firms offer regular check-ups to keep your plan current. Your life changes. Your estate plan needs to change with it. The firm should be staying in touch with you regularly.
• Avoid one-size-fits-all documents.
Your family and your assets are unique. A real plan shouldn’t come out of a template. Ask whether your documents will customized to your situation.
• Make sure they speak your language.
Legal jargon doesn’t help anyone. Choose someone who can explain complex strategies in plain English so you feel confident making decisions.
• Find someone who gives back.
A law firm’s values matter. Look for attorneys who are committed to their community, not just their billable hours.
Success Stories: Proven Strategies for Protecting Wealth
A Family Who Saved $2 Million in Taxes
One of our clients, a Massachusetts family with $8 million in assets, was facing a $1.5 million estate tax bill. Using advanced trust structures, including a combination of irrevocable trusts and gifting strategies, we reduced their tax liability by over $2 million.
This client had an existing estate plan, done elsewhere several years ago. I saw some immediate red flags when meeting with these clients:
- They hadn’t heard from their estate planning lawyer since the time that the estate plan was completed (10 years before); it had not been updated at any point
- They had no understanding of whether or not their plan addressed estate taxes – it had never been explained to them
- Their estate planning lawyer also did divorces and auto accidents
My instincts were right. The plan didn’t address estate assets at all. It even used antiquated terms that aren’t used anymore (such as the word executor). Further, it was missing the date in several spots that had been left blank.
Had either the husband or the wife passed away before we updated their plan, they were at risk for a seven-figure estate tax bill. Instead, our plan completely eliminated the estate tax for them.
Preserving a Family Business
Another client, a business owner with $10 million in assets, worried about how their heirs could keep the business running after his passing. We crafted a business succession plan, incorporating a combination of trusts and buy-sell agreements, to preserve the company and reduce their estate taxes by $1.8 million.
These are just two examples of how Monteforte Law delivers real results for high-net-worth clients.
The Monteforte Law Difference
In an industry where estate planning can feel like a commodity, Monteforte Law stands apart. Here’s why:
• Expertise in Wealth Preservation Planning: We focus on Massachusetts and federal tax laws to craft strategies that protect estates worth $4 million or more.
• Proprietary Systems: Our Wealth Preservation System simplifies complex strategies into actionable steps.
• Proprietary Solutions: We create personalized plans, and have custom trusts that you won’t find anywhere else, like our 20/20 Hindsight Trust and our Retirement Protection Trust. Whether you need a trust for asset protection, advanced tax planning, or a business succession strategy.
• Three Year Check-Ups: We offer check-ups every three years, at no charge, to help you keep your plan current. Remember, your life changes and your estate plan needs to change with it.
We don’t just create plans—we build lifelong partnerships based on trust, empathy, and results.
Why All Estate Planning Attorneys Aren’t the Same
It’s a mistake to think every estate planning attorney provides the same value. Without the right expertise, you risk:
• Overpaying in estate taxes.
• Failing to protect your business or property.
• Leaving your heirs with a costly and stressful probate process.
At Monteforte Law, we go beyond the basics:
• Advanced strategies like ILITs, QPRTs, GRATs, SLATs, and Medicaid Trusts.
• Expertise in multi-million-dollar estates.
• Sophisticated tax planning tailored for high-net-worth clients.
The wrong attorney can cost your family millions. We ensure your wealth is protected and your legacy endures.
Trusted By High-Net-Worth Families Across Massachusetts and New Hampshire
For over 20 years, we’ve helped wealthy families and business owners secure their assets, reduce tax burdens, and preserve their legacies.
Our results speak for themselves: we’ve saved our clients millions in estate taxes and helped families keep what they’ve worked so hard to build.
Are You a Good Fit for Us? Here’s Who We Don’t Work With (and Who We Do)
We believe that the foundation of a successful attorney-client relationship is mutual trust and alignment. We work best with individuals and families who value proactive planning, thoughtful advice, and long-term partnerships. That means we’re not the right fit for everyone—and that’s okay.
🚫 Here’s who we don’t work with:
- Those Looking for the Cheapest Option. If your goal is to price-shop for the lowest-cost plan, we’re not the firm for you. We’re focused on quality, customization, and results—not quick fixes or cookie-cutter documents. Our value is in our lifetime of expertise.
- Do-It-Yourselfers. If you believe you can download a few forms online and achieve the same outcome, we wish you the best. Our clients understand that real planning requires strategy, experience, and attention to detail.
- Procrastinators Who Stay Stuck. Estate planning requires action. We’re patient and supportive, but we can’t help those who remain unwilling to move forward—even after understanding the risks of waiting.
- People Who Don’t Trust Their Advisors. We’re here to help, not to sell. But if you come in with the assumption that all attorneys are the same and you can’t trust anyone, it will be hard for us to work together effectively. Trust is the starting point.
- Rude or Disrespectful Individuals. We have a strict “no jerks” rule. Our team works hard to support our clients with compassion and care. If you can’t treat our staff with respect, we’re not the firm for you. For additional detail on who we DON’T work with, learn more here.
- Families and individuals who want to preserve and protect their wealth
- Business owners and professionals who understand the value of strategic legal advice
- Clients who want a long-term relationship with a trusted legal partner
- People who are ready to act and want to do things the right way
If that sounds like you, we’d love to work with you. Step one in our 4-step process is simple: attend one of our free seminars or webinars.
Click here to save your spot and receive $500 off your plan!
