Portland, OR estates & probate attorney Sara Winter talks about the strategies that can be used to lower estate taxes. She explains that when advising clients on estate tax savings, there is no single right or wrong approach. Each estate plan must be tailored to the client’s specific circumstances, goals, and family dynamics. In her meetings, she discusses the client’s assets, long-term objectives, level of interest in tax savings, and their willingness to incorporate varying levels of complexity into the plan.

She notes that strategies can range from relatively straightforward options, such as annual gifting, to more advanced techniques. These may include implementing charitable planning during life or at death, utilizing specialized trusts designed to shift appreciation of assets outside the estate to minimize estate taxes, or creating trusts that generate liquidity to cover anticipated tax obligations. Her focus is always on crafting a plan that aligns with the client’s needs while optimizing tax efficiency.