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Susan "Susie"
Gell Meyers

  • Partner

Estate planning is often thought of as morbid and depressing, but estate planning to me is joyful; this is an opportunity to share one’s philosophies on family, community and wealth and provide a sound plan for the family to follow. An artfully crafted estate plan can be a beautiful guide for the family in some of its darkest moments. What better gift can there be?

Susie Meyers provides sophisticated and highly sensitive counsel to high-net-worth individuals, business owners, their families and the businesses and family offices that serve them – with holistic advice on estate and gift planning that preserves wealth and business ownership. Susie creatively develops plans that minimize taxes without creating undue complexity or stress in the family. Whether planning for the succession of the family business or the family vacation home, clients count on her to provide frank advice and a plan that specifically works for them.

Estate and Wealth Transfer Planning

  • Represents business owners, physicians, dentists and individuals for their estate planning needs, including:
    • tax planning (income, gift and estate) for families of wealth
    • gift and estate tax litigation
    • asset protection
    • planning for large retirement plans or other income taxable assets
    • implementing gift trusts and family limited liability companies to maintain family ownership of heirloom assets
    • developing plans to transfer ownership of family businesses to next generation owners on a tax-advantaged basis using techniques such as GRATs, life insurance trusts, and sales to grantor trusts
    • drafting prenuptial agreements to protect family businesses, heirlo

Estate and Wealth Transfer Planning

  • Represents business owners, physicians, dentists and individuals for their estate planning needs, including:
    • tax planning (income, gift and estate) for families of wealth
    • gift and estate tax litigation
    • asset protection
    • planning for large retirement plans or other income taxable assets
    • implementing gift trusts and family limited liability companies to maintain family ownership of heirloom assets
    • developing plans to transfer ownership of family businesses to next generation owners on a tax-advantaged basis using techniques such as GRATs, life insurance trusts, and sales to grantor trusts
    • drafting prenuptial agreements to protect family businesses, heirloom assets and wealth
    • estate tax planning for non-US citizens and resident aliens

Vacation Home Planning

  • Represents individuals and cottage associations to develop agreements and policies establishing rules for transfer, use and maintenance of vacation homes by multiple parties.

Business Planning

  • Represents closely held businesses, including medical and dental practices, to determine proper entity selection, formation, ongoing operation and succession planning. Representation includes drafting buy-sell agreements restricting transfers of ownership, establishing rules for sale and purchase of interests, and protecting S corporation elections, as well as drafting employment policies setting forth rules for employment of family members.

Estate/Trust Administration

  • Provides a full range of post-death estate settlement and trust administration, including the administration and tax planning for decedents’ estates, preparation of estate tax returns, income tax returns and fiduciary accounts, and handling of IRS audits and valuation disputes. Successfully negotiated settlement with IRS on gift/estate tax audits resulting in:
    • Recognition of family owned LLCs for gift purposes
    • 22.5 percent discount for partial interests in real property
    • 20 percent combined discount for marketable securities LLC
    • Full estate tax deduction for interest on Graegin notes
    • 35 percent combined discount for marketable securities limited partnership
    • Defined value formulas in gifts and sales respected by the IRS
  • Prenup Workshop, Family Business Alliance, February 14, 2019, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Panelist, “Estate Planning Issues in Preparation for a Transaction,” Strategic Alternatives for Middle Market and Closely Held Businesses, October 26, 2017, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Prenuptial Agreements: The Elephant in the Room,” Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises 2013 Annual Conference, April 26, 2013, Chicago
  • Lecturer: Estate Planning and Probate Matters for Institute of Continuing Legal Education courses and other organizations
  • Prenup Workshop, Family Business Alliance, February 14, 2019, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Panelist, “Estate Planning Issues in Preparation for a Transaction,” Strategic Alternatives for Middle Market and Closely Held Businesses, October 26, 2017, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Prenuptial Agreements: The Elephant in the Room,” Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises 2013 Annual Conference, April 26, 2013, Chicago
  • Lecturer: Estate Planning and Probate Matters for Institute of Continuing Legal Education courses and other organizations

Testimonials

“She’s very responsive, willing to work collaboratively – she and I are able to try to coordinate issues. She does that in a very collaborative, professional way, she’s great to deal with.”

* * *
“She’s a really strong client advocate. She’s very good at coming up with ideas throughout the year; she calls clients up about ideas and follows through very well.”
* * *

“She has an incredible skill set for working with families, understanding the dynamics, the sensitive issues and really looking out for the clients’ best interests.”

Image for Susan “Susie” Gell Meyers

Susan "Susie"
Gell Meyers

  • Partner
Grand Rapids

My admin

Estate planning is often thought of as morbid and depressing, but estate planning to me is joyful; this is an opportunity to share one’s philosophies on family, community and wealth and provide a sound plan for the family to follow. An artfully crafted estate plan can be a beautiful guide for the family in some of its darkest moments. What better gift can there be?

Susie Meyers provides sophisticated and highly sensitive counsel to high-net-worth individuals, business owners, their families and the businesses and family offices that serve them – with holistic advice on estate and gift planning that preserves wealth and business ownership. Susie creatively develops plans that minimize taxes without creating undue complexity or stress in the family. Whether planning for the succession of the family business or the family vacation home, clients count on her to provide frank advice and a plan that specifically works for them.

  • Prenup Workshop, Family Business Alliance, February 14, 2019, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Panelist, “Estate Planning Issues in Preparation for a Transaction,” Strategic Alternatives for Middle Market and Closely Held Businesses, October 26, 2017, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Prenuptial Agreements: The Elephant in the Room,” Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises 2013 Annual Conference, April 26, 2013, Chicago
  • Lecturer: Estate Planning and Probate Matters for Institute of Continuing Legal Education courses and other organizations
  • Prenup Workshop, Family Business Alliance, February 14, 2019, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Panelist, “Estate Planning Issues in Preparation for a Transaction,” Strategic Alternatives for Middle Market and Closely Held Businesses, October 26, 2017, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • “Prenuptial Agreements: The Elephant in the Room,” Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises 2013 Annual Conference, April 26, 2013, Chicago
  • Lecturer: Estate Planning and Probate Matters for Institute of Continuing Legal Education courses and other organizations

Testimonials

“She’s very responsive, willing to work collaboratively – she and I are able to try to coordinate issues. She does that in a very collaborative, professional way, she’s great to deal with.”

* * *
“She’s a really strong client advocate. She’s very good at coming up with ideas throughout the year; she calls clients up about ideas and follows through very well.”
* * *

“She has an incredible skill set for working with families, understanding the dynamics, the sensitive issues and really looking out for the clients’ best interests.”