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Brian P. Teaff
Associate
Assistant
Elaine Edon713.221.3340
Brian Teaff helps clients navigate the complex world of estate planning by focusing on each client's "big picture" goals, and then draws on his unique knowledge of substantive tax issues to help turn the client’s goals into reality. He focuses on many aspects of trust and estate planning and administration for individuals and families.
Brian's core practice includes providing guidance with respect to wills, revocable and irrevocable trust agreements, formation and operation of private foundations, formation and operation of family limited partnerships and limited liability companies, preparation of various transfer tax returns, and the application of international treaties on clients’ U.S. Federal estate and gift tax liability.
Representative Matters
In addition to Brian's experience helping clients with their estate and philanthropic planning, he has also counseled clients with other substantive and procedural tax issues, including:
Helped clients correct previously filed incorrect or incomplete Forms 709, U.S. Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Returns.
Advised clients on judicial trust modification proceedings.
Advised clients in probate litigation matters about the taxability of settlement payments.
Provided advice in mergers and acquisitions regarding trust and estate concerns.
Advised clients and practitioners about the "Global High Wealth Industry Group," a new IRS unit dedicated to examining high-wealth individuals and their related entities.
Obtained multiple agreements from the IRS not to criminally prosecute clients with unreported foreign bank accounts pursuant to the IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative.
Advised a business regarding workers who formed "Personal Service Corporations" under Internal Revenue Code Section 269A.
Publications and Speeches
Co-author, "At Last, Permanent Wealth Transfer Tax Laws," Law360, January 2013.
Co-author, "Fiscal Cliff Not the Only Worry After the New Year – For Some," Texas Real Estate Update, Sage Group, November 2012.
Co-author and presenter, "Estate Planning Considerations for 2012 and Beyond," Houston Bar Association, 2012 Wills and Probate Institute, Advanced Course, February 2012.
Co-author, "Offshore Financial Account Reporting: Risks & Penalties for Noncompliance," Houston TSCPA Foundation, 2011 CPE Tax Expo, January 11, 2011.
Co-author, "The Use of Independent Contractors: Tax, ERISA, and Labor and Employment Issues," American Gas Association, Thirty-Third Annual Legal Forum, July 13, 2010.
Education
LL.M., Taxation, New York University School of Law, 2009
J.D., magna cum laude, California Western School of Law, 2008
B.A., University of San Diego, 2003
Bar Admissions
Texas
California
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
U.S. Tax Court
Affiliations
Texas Bar Association, Tax Court Pro Bono Program; Pro Bono Program for U.S. Veterans
Houston Bar Association, Probate, Trusts and Estates Section
Houston Bar Association, Tax Section - Treasurer 2012-2013
Houston Young Lawyers Association, Leadership Academy 2010-2011; Vice Chairman 2011-2012; 2012-2013
California Bar Association
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
Noteworthy
Texas Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2013
Associate Editor, Law Review, California Western School of Law
Associate Editor, International Law Journal, California Western School of Law
