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Laura A.
Jeltema

  • Partner
ljeltema@wnj.com
Grand Rapids
T 616.752.2161
F 616.222.2161

My admin

I firmly believe that being a good listener is crucial to being a good estate planning lawyer. When meeting with a client, I don’t rush to interject my opinion. I ask questions to elicit revealing answers, listen closely and absorb what they’re telling me about their circumstances and concerns. By hearing and understanding their big-picture perspective, I can approach issues from many different angles and draw on my extensive experience and knowledge to craft creative strategies that address problems in the most optimal way.

Laura Jeltema advises high-net-worth individuals, families and family offices in trust and estate administration and planning, wealth preservation and income, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax planning. Laura designs and implements innovative solutions for multigenerational families to accomplish planning objectives and to limit their risk and tax exposure, which constitutes the hallmark and foundation of her Michigan-focused practice.

industries

practices

  • Coordinates administration of trusts and estates of all sizes with all types of assets.
  • Manages preparation of complex wills and trusts and other estate planning documents.
  • Handles settlement of estate and gift tax audits before the IRS.
  • Oversees implementation of strategies for wealth preservation, charitable giving, business succession and pre-transaction planning.
  • Represents multiple generations of families and family offices.
  • Coordinates administration of trusts and estates of all sizes with all types of assets.
  • Manages preparation of complex wills and trusts and other estate planning documents.
  • Handles settlement of estate and gift tax audits before the IRS.
  • Oversees implementation of strategies for wealth preservation, charitable giving, business succession and pre-transaction planning.
  • Represents multiple generations of families and family offices.
  • “Drafting Engagement and Closing Letters,” ICLE’s 32nd Annual Drafting Estate Planning Documents, February 16, 2023
  • “Drafting Trusts for Estate Tax Planning,” ICLE Seminar: Planning Techniques for the Taxable Estate, Virtual Seminar, December 6, 2022
  • “Implement Flexibility with Established Estate Planning Tools,” ICLE Tax Law Webinar Series, June 2020
  • DC Bar Presentation, “There is Nothing Permanent Except Change: Using Nonjudicial Settlement Agreements to Change Irrevocable Trusts,” February 2015
  • “Drafting Engagement and Closing Letters,” ICLE’s 32nd Annual Drafting Estate Planning Documents, February 16, 2023
  • “Drafting Trusts for Estate Tax Planning,” ICLE Seminar: Planning Techniques for the Taxable Estate, Virtual Seminar, December 6, 2022
  • “Implement Flexibility with Established Estate Planning Tools,” ICLE Tax Law Webinar Series, June 2020
  • DC Bar Presentation, “There is Nothing Permanent Except Change: Using Nonjudicial Settlement Agreements to Change Irrevocable Trusts,” February 2015
Image for Laura A. Jeltema

Laura A.
Jeltema

  • Partner
ljeltema@wnj.com
Grand Rapids
T 616.752.2161
F 616.222.2161

My admin

Biography|
Credentials

I firmly believe that being a good listener is crucial to being a good estate planning lawyer. When meeting with a client, I don’t rush to interject my opinion. I ask questions to elicit revealing answers, listen closely and absorb what they’re telling me about their circumstances and concerns. By hearing and understanding their big-picture perspective, I can approach issues from many different angles and draw on my extensive experience and knowledge to craft creative strategies that address problems in the most optimal way.

Laura Jeltema advises high-net-worth individuals, families and family offices in trust and estate administration and planning, wealth preservation and income, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax planning. Laura designs and implements innovative solutions for multigenerational families to accomplish planning objectives and to limit their risk and tax exposure, which constitutes the hallmark and foundation of her Michigan-focused practice.

industries

practices

  • “Drafting Engagement and Closing Letters,” ICLE’s 32nd Annual Drafting Estate Planning Documents, February 16, 2023
  • “Drafting Trusts for Estate Tax Planning,” ICLE Seminar: Planning Techniques for the Taxable Estate, Virtual Seminar, December 6, 2022
  • “Implement Flexibility with Established Estate Planning Tools,” ICLE Tax Law Webinar Series, June 2020
  • DC Bar Presentation, “There is Nothing Permanent Except Change: Using Nonjudicial Settlement Agreements to Change Irrevocable Trusts,” February 2015
  • “Drafting Engagement and Closing Letters,” ICLE’s 32nd Annual Drafting Estate Planning Documents, February 16, 2023
  • “Drafting Trusts for Estate Tax Planning,” ICLE Seminar: Planning Techniques for the Taxable Estate, Virtual Seminar, December 6, 2022
  • “Implement Flexibility with Established Estate Planning Tools,” ICLE Tax Law Webinar Series, June 2020
  • DC Bar Presentation, “There is Nothing Permanent Except Change: Using Nonjudicial Settlement Agreements to Change Irrevocable Trusts,” February 2015