Kurt Zimmerman has practiced law for over 25 years in the areas of real property, probate and trust law. He began his practice at the national law firm of McDermott, Will & Emery in Chicago. Kurt’s practice focuses on personalized estate planning for individuals, couples and families. He has a broad range of experience including wills, revocable trusts, business entity planning, planning for non-citizen spouses, and irrevocable trusts, including life insurance trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, dynasty trusts and charitable trusts.
Kurt earned his law degree at Vanderbilt University, where he served as President of the Vanderbilt Bar Association and was selected by the faculty as recipient of the Bennett Douglas Bell Memorial Prize, which goes to the graduate who “is not only well versed in the law, but who shows the highest conception of the ethics of the profession.”
Kurt earned his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Michigan, where he was a four-year letterman in baseball, earning 1st Team Academic All-Big Ten, 1st Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Tournament MVP, and Wolverine Award honors (“most inspirational player”). Kurt and his teammates (including major leaguers Jim Abbott of the California Angels, Barry Larkin and Chris Sabo of the Cincinnati Reds, and Scott Kamieniecki and Hal Morris of the New York Yankees) made two consecutive appearances in the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska (1983 & 1984) and won three Big Ten Championships. Kurt played for the Orleans Cardinals in the Cape Cod summer baseball league, the nation’s preeminent college summer league.
Prior to attending the University of Michigan, Kurt was one of 50 Americans selected as an English-Speaking Union Scholar, earning a scholarship for one year of post-graduate study at Ellesmere College in England.
Kurt serves on the Board of Directors of the Broward Performing Arts Foundation and the Community Foundation of Broward. Kurt is a member of the United Way's Tocqueville Society and is a graduate of Leadership Broward (Class XVI). Kurt was previously on the governing board of the YMCA of South Florida and was active as a "big brother" in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward.
Kurt is a member of the American Bar Association, the Florida Bar, the Broward County Bar Association, the Estate Planning Council of Broward County.
Practice areas
Languages spoken
English
Zimmerman & Associates
2400 E Commercial Blvd Ste 820
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 333084054
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
FL | Member in Good Standing | 1993 | 03/01/2021 |
IL | Administrative - Not Authorized to Practice | 1990 | 12/06/2020 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Legal Elite - Wills, Trusts & Estates | Florida Trend Magazine | 2011 |
2009 Top 100 South Florida Small Business | Business Leader Media | 2009 |
Bell Prize for "highest conception of ethics of profession" | Vanderbilt Law School | 1990 |
Wolverine Award ("Most inspirational player") | University of Michigan Athletic Department | 1986 |
All-Big Ten, First Team | Big Ten Conference | 1986 |
Academic All-Big Ten, First Team | Big Ten Conference | 1986 |
---|---|---|
Academic All-Big Ten, Second Team | Big Ten Conference | 1985 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Associate | McDermott Will & Emery | 1990 - 1993 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Community Foundation of Broward | Director; Professional Advisors Council (Chair) | 2013 - Present |
United Way of Broward County | Tocqueville Society | 2013 - Present |
YMCA of Broward County | Director; Executive Committee; Advancement Committee | 2012 - Present |
Broward Performing Arts Foundation | Director; Planned Giving Committee (Chair); Governance Committee | 2011 - Present |
Joint Tax & Estate Planning Seminar | Co-Chair (2012); Steering Committee | 2010 - Present |
WealthCounsel | Member | 2008 - Present |
---|---|---|
Lauderdale Yacht Club | Member | 2006 - Present |
Leadership Broward Foundation | Member Class XVI | 1997 - Present |
Coral Ridge Country Club | Member | 1997 - Present |
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County | Big Brother | 1996 - Present |
Estate Planning Council of Broward County | Member | 1995 - Present |
Broward County Bar Association | Member | 1993 - Present |
Florida Bar | Member | 1993 - Present |
American Bar Association | Member | 1993 - Present |
Broward Bank of Commerce | Board of Advisors | 2010 - 2016 |
Vanderbilt Law School Bar Associtaion | President | 1989 - 1990 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
ZimmermanLaw.com blog | Trustee Selection for Irrevocable Trusts | 2011 |
Wealth Counselor | Using a Limited Liability Company (LLC) to Transfer a Family Business | 2011 |
Wealth Counselor | Planning with the $5 Million Gift Tax Exemption | 2011 |
Wealth Counselor | Planning Opportunities Under 2010 Tax Act | 2011 |
Wealth Counselor | Highlights of the New Estate, Gift and Generation-Skipping Tax Legislation | 2011 |
Elder Law Answers | Looking Ahead | 2010 |
---|---|---|
Wealth Counselor | Transferring a Business to Key Employees | 2010 |
Florida Estate Planning Blog | Questions Answered -- What You (and Your Loved Ones) Need to Know About Long-Term Care Insurance | 2009 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Vanderbilt University Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 1990 |
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1986 |
Ellesmere College England (overseas exchange student) | English-Speaking Union Scholar | 1982 |
Cranbrook School | High School | 1981 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Opportunities for Philanthropy in Your Financial Life | Charitable planning | 2014 |
Community Foundation of Broward Professional Advisors Council | Transitioning the Family Business | 2014 |
Maximizing IRA Opportunities | IRA retirement trusts | 2011 |
You earned it, now protect it! | Estate planning | 2010 |
Asset Protecting IRAs – Including Inherited IRAs – with Retirement Trusts | IRA Retirement Trusts | 2009 |
Estate Tax, Income Tax, and Life Insurance Planning with Charitable Lead Trusts | Charitable Lead Trusts | 2009 |
---|
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Family business succession planning | Crafted family business succession plan |
Posted by anonymous
Thu Oct 08 2009
Lawrence Davis, Business Attorney on Aug 3, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Kurt and I recently worked together on a project. His commitment to quality and dedication to the task was admirable. I also found that Kurt has an impeccable level of ethical standards. Therefore I will have no hesitation referring work to his office.
Kirsten Howe, Estate planning Attorney on May 30, 2011
Relationship: Other
I have known Kurt Zimmerman through an organization to which we both belong. It has been my great pleasure to share ideas and work with him and I have benefited, as I am certain his clients do, from knowing him. Kurt is an outstanding, dedicated professional who focuses on the needs of his clients and ensures that the planning they do is what is needed to accomplish their goals. I endorse Kurt without reservation.
Leanna Hamill, Elder law Attorney on May 12, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I had a real estate issue for one of my Massachusetts clients who owns property in Florida. Kurt and his associates quickly responded to my email, and in a few minutes we were on the phone and they were reviewing the situation for me. They were able to get me and my client the information we needed in order to proceed. I am so glad to know that I can count on them when I need to consult with Florida attorneys for my clients who own property down there.
Stephanie Edwards, Estate planning Attorney on May 10, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Kurt is a caring person who is sincerely dedicated to helping his clients achieve their goals.
Louis Anderson, Estate planning Attorney on May 10, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Kurt is an excellent attorney who has a pleasant manner and is enjoyable to work with. He is very bright and analyzes complex legal issues well. He is thorough, does excellent work, and keeps up with the ever-changing law. He exhibits impeccable honesty and integrity, and assiduously stays in contact with clients. He is generous with his time and gives advice and assistance to colleagues. Kurt provides the highest quality legal advice, professionalism and services.
Kimberly Lee, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 19, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Kurt Zimmerman is one of the best estate planning attorneys I know. Not only am I impressed with his legal knowledge, but even more importantly, his honesty, integrity, and dedication toward serving his clients. I have no reservation in endorsing Kurt Zimmerman.
Victor Medina, Trusts Attorney on Apr 14, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Kurt and I are both members of a practice development program. I have had the opportunity to witness how dedicated he is to his clients and to the betterment of the practice in his area. I recommend Kurt's services without reservation and have referred clients to him in Florida at every opportunity.
Jennifer Casso, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 6, 2011
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I endorse this lawyer.
Jackie Bedard, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 6, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work.
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