Icard Merrill

Todd D. Kaplan

Member of the Firm   ||   At Icard Merrill Since 2006

Todd D. Kaplan practices in the firm’s Trusts and Estates practice group, representing individuals and fiduciaries in a full range of estate planning, tax and probate matters. Mr. Kaplan works with his estate planning clients to develop and implement an overall estate plan that recognizes the client’s specific estate planning needs and objectives, and where possible, maximize tax benefits. His estate planning services range from the preparation of foundational documentation designed to protect clients and their families (wills, revocable trusts, living wills, health care surrogates) to the utilization of advanced legal techniques which help clients take full advantage of tax benefits (life insurance trusts, dynasty trusts, family limited partnerships, irrevocable trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, minors trusts, and charitable trusts). In representing individuals and fiduciaries in trust and probate matters, Mr. Kaplan provides post mortem advice to trustees, personal representatives and beneficiaries in probate and trust administrations, both domiciliary and ancillary. Related activities for estates regularly include the preparation of estate tax returns.

 Mr. Kaplan also works in the firm’s tax and corporate practice groups in developing plans that address the client’s family and business objectives. Many of his clients own businesses that often consist of one of their most valuable assets. Therefore, a comprehensive estate plan typically incorporates an effective business plan. As part of his business practice, Todd regularly advises clients in connection with the creation of corporations (regular, not-for profit, and S corporations), partnerships and limited liability companies. Further, his representation of business entities include sales and purchases of businesses, choice of entity, company formation, operations, conduct of corporate meetings, succession planning, dissolutions, employment and non-compete agreements.

Todd is very active in his community. He serves as the vice-president of the Miracle League of Manasota and on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch. Todd is also involved with the Manatee Community Foundation and the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance. He primarily practices in Bradenton at the firm’s Lakewood Ranch office but maintains an office and regularly meets with clients at the firm’s Main Street office in downtown Sarasota.

 Mr. Kaplan joined Icard Merrill in 2006 after 8 years of private practice in Bradenton and New York City. He is a member of the Florida Bar Association, Manatee County Bar Association and Sarasota County Bar Association. Todd received his B.A., with honors from Siena College in Albany, New York, his J.D., cum laude, from Quinnipiac University School of Law in Hamden, Connecticut, and his Masters of Law in Taxation (LL.M.) from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. While in school, Mr. Kaplan was the Publication Editor of the Quinnipiac Law Review and a Co-Managing Editor of the Florida Tax Review. Mr. Kaplan is admitted to practice law in the States of Florida, New York and Connecticut.

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