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Warner Norcross + Judd LLP is a corporate law firm with over 230 attorneys serving clients in nine offices throughout Michigan. Among the largest law firms in Michigan, Warner works in virtually all areas of business law.

Michigan Law Firm - Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

<ul>
<li>State Bar of Michigan, Member</li>
<li>Ottawa County Bar Association, Member</li>
</ul>


Michigan

I focus on sophisticated personal planning, trusts, estates, taxation and asset protection, and I’m frequently sought out for my expertise in gift, estate, generation-skipping transfer and fiduciary income taxation. I’ve been an advisor to executives and directors of hedge, venture, private equity and other investment funds; professional sports organization owners, executives and athletes; executives and directors of publicly traded companies; founders, owners and managers of family businesses and closely-held companies; other professionals, including physicians, attorneys and accountants; individuals with global lifestyles and complex cross-border concerns; and the rising generation of wealth inheritors and stewards. My typical client has been enormously successful and they want to protect that success. They’ve lived uniquely extraordinary lives, accumulated substantial wealth and have purposeful intentions for the legacy they want to leave behind. &nbsp;

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Scott DeWeerd focuses his practice on trusts and estates and the business, investment and tax aspects that are crucial to wealth accumulation, preservation and transmission. Much of his work consists of preparing trusts and estate plans for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, but also extends to the formation, operation and succession of closely-held businesses, private foundations and single-family offices; philanthropy and charitable giving strategies; administration and litigation of trusts and estates; international tax matters (including inbound and outbound investments and foreign trusts); partnership tax matters; and resolution of tax disputes with federal, state and local authorities.

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Scott’s career in trusts and estates began with a probate court internship during college that led to a full-time position with the probate court after graduation. Handling matters related to wills, estates and trusts sparked his interest in becoming an attorney – and in law school he tailored his education and training for a career in trusts and estates. While attending law school, he also earned a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree in Taxation, concentrating on estate and gift tax and other tax matters that uniquely impact ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their families.

His practice is versatile, focusing on more than just traditional estate planning. The management and transfer of financial capital and assets is only a small component of an effective trusts and estates practice, Scott believes. Clients and their beneficiaries have human needs, intellectual pursuits, social interests, values and passions that influence planning. He believes it is imperative to focus on the “who” and the “why” aspects of planning before diving into the “what” and the “how.”

Scott thoroughly enjoys this area of law because his clients often treat him like a member of their family and they are generally excited to sit down with him to roadmap their legacies. Engaging with clients is a top priority and so is being accessible, responsive and truly listening to what his clients want and need – not pushing his own thoughts and ideas. He considers his work truly fulfilling when his clients have attained peace of mind knowing they are prepared for the future, and their success and wealth is preserved for the benefit of the people they love and the causes they support. To him, estate planning is not a transaction, it’s a relationship. Being a client’s friend, sounding board sworn to secrecy and trusted advisor is deeply meaningful. &nbsp;

Scott graduated <em>cum laude</em> from Albion College in 2015. He attended Loyola Law School of Los Angeles on scholarship, where he earned his Juris Doctor and LL.M in Taxation. He has spent his entire professional career working in the area of trusts, wills, and estates.

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Legacy Matters

Trusts 101, Part 3 – Trust Acronyms Explained

Silent Trusts Have Come to Michigan

LL.M., Taxation

Loyola Law School

J.D.

B.A.

cum laude

Albion College

<ul>
<li>A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll, State Bar of Michigan, Tier 2, 2024</li>
</ul>


Private Client and Family Office

Funds and Investments

Scott J. DeWeerd Joins Warner

Holland

Attorney Spotlight: Scott DeWeerd

Celebrity Estate Planning Mistakes: Kobe Bryant

Estate Planning Focus — Spring 2023

Trusts and Estates

Charitable Giving and Organizations

Closely Held Businesses

Family Office Representation

Family Business and Succession Planning

Fundamental Estate Planning

Estate Settlement and Trust Administration

Probate Litigation

Tax Planning

Julie Schaap

Associate

Scott J. DeWeerd

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DeWeerd

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Scott J. DeWeerd

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industries

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speaking engagements

blogs

news

publications

Scott J.
DeWeerd

Scott J.
DeWeerd