Daniel J. Schlichting - Madison, WI

Overview

Across his practice areas, Dan Schlichting excels at finding solutions that work for all sides. He judges the range of possible outcomes, assesses where clients are in that range and helps to bring resolution. An empathetic - but matter-of-fact - manner and an ability to lay out the plain facts is an asset to business and family cases where emotion can cloud the best path.

On Hurley, Burish & Stanton:
"There's a certain feel here. We're down-to-earth. I think we're very good at discussing issues with clients, even in trying times. We communicate, then we review to be sure they understand."

On understanding:
"First, you need to really hear what people want. Having empathy helps for clients in hard times. Lastly, understand that people have common responses to situations – good advice is tempered with that outside perspective.

Emphasis
Dan has advised and assisted clients in a variety of areas, including:

• Planning for business succession through the creation and use of shareholder agreements, split-dollar insurance agreements, family limited partnerships, cross-purchase and redemption agreements.
• Negotiating business purchases and sales.
• Preparation of wills and revocable living trusts to obtain a superior tax position.
• Estate planning for disabled and elderly clients to protect assets.
• Negotiating and drafting commercial real estate purshases and leases.
• Creating limited liability companies and limited partnerships to transfer wealth to succeeding (younger) generations.
• Preparing business to business contracts.
• Creation and utilization of trusts to effectuate family wealth transfers to succeeding generations, including irrevocable insurance trusts and generation-skipping trusts.
• Utilizing marital agreements in conjunction with living trusts to transfer wealth with minimum taxation exposure.
• Planning for charitable giving through the use of charitable lead trusts and charitable remainder trusts.

Dan counsels a variety of corporate and individual clients with their business, estate planning and family law needs. His experience in business law enables him to provide estate planning that complements a person's business objectives.