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Karen K. Akiens
About Karen
Biography
In my practice I specialize in the areas of asset protection, estate planning (wills and trusts), business planning (formation, mergers, acquisitions, sales, spin-offs, conversions), probate (independent administration, dependent administration, muniment of title, small estate affidavit, affidavit of heirship), and tax (estate and gift taxation along with tax analysis in the area of business).
I love what I do. When I am analyzing a client's estate I look at all their assets as a giant puzzle in which I try to place each asset in an optimum position for maximum asset protection while having a minimal tax impact on their passing. It does not matter what size estate a client has as I am able to minimize any estate tax impact while at the same time making sure the assets going to the client's beneficiarie are protected from creditors, kept as separate property in the event of a divorce, bypass probate, and have minimal tax impact upon the death of such beneficiary.
Practice Areas
10
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 25 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 2000
No misconduct found
Licensed in New Jersey for 27 years
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 28 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
Location
Akiens Law Firm PLLC
6606 FM 1488, Ste 148-301, Magnolia, TX, 77354
Akiens Law Firm PLLC
13231 Champions Forest Drive, Suite 406, Houston, TX, 77069
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Karen K. Akiens's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
13 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 13 reviews
Posted by Doug | July 13, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Excellent attorney
Karen handled my mother's estate planning flawlessly before she passed to help ease a very difficult time. From the will to various trusts, Karen's expertise was invaluable to me and my family.
Posted by Jim | July 12, 2017 | Probate
Co-counsel
I worked with Karen as Co-counsel on a complicated probate case embroiled in litigation challenging the alleged Will and Personal Representative's apparent misconduct. She has very fine legal drafting and analytic skills.
Posted by anonymous | July 10, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Communicates completely
Karen takes time to answer your questions completely, she offers advice but realizes the final decision is yours and is very through when planning/preparing estate documents. I have used Mrs. Akiens for @ 7 years.
Posted by Bruce | July 06, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Outstanding Trust Attorney
I selected Karen back in 2008 to set up my Revocable Living Trust and have been more than pleased ever since. Her superior expertise, attention to detail, and continual follow-up far exceeded any expectations I had of the process. As my life situation changes...marriage, retirement, etc....Karen is a...
Posted by Maher | July 04, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Estate Planning And Asset Protectiom Work
Karen has put together multiple entities, trusts, ILIT's and other estate planning documents for myself and my family. She is very responsive and available for any questions I have, provides great customer service. I've worked with Karen on multiple projects since 2006 and have recommended her to mul...
Karen K. Akiens's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. She is well qualified in her practice area."
Christine Lincoln
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2017
Top Lawyers of Houston, H Texas Magazine
2016
Houston's Top Lawyer, H Texas Magazine
2015
Houston Top Lawyers, H Texas Magazine
2014
Houston's Top Lawyers for the People, H Texas Magazine
2014
Five Star Estate Planning Attorney, Texas Monthly Magazine
2014
Five Star Wealth Manager, Texas Monthly Magazine
2014
Houston Top Lawyers, H Texas Magazine
2013
Houston Top Lawyers, H Texas Magazine
2013
Houston's Top Lawyers for the People, H Texas Magazine
2012
Houston Top Lawyers, H Texas Magazine
2012
Houston Top Lawyers, H Texas Magazine
2012
Houston's Top Lawyers for the People, H Texas Magazine
2012
Five Star Wealth Manager, Texas Monthly Magazine
2011
Houston Top Lawyers, H Texas Magazine
2011
Five Star Wealth Manager, Texas Monthly Magazine
2011
Houston's Top Lawyers for the People, H Texas Magazine
2010
Houston Top Lawyers, H Texas Magazine
2010
Five Star Wealth Manager: Best in Client Satisfaction, Texas Monthly Magazine
2010
Houston's Top Lawyers for the People, H Texas Magazine
2009
Five Star Wealth Manager, Texas Monthly Magazine
2009
Houston's Top Lawyers for the People, H Texas Magazine
2009
Houston Top Lawyers, H Texas Magazine
2008
Houston's Top Lawyers for the People, H Texas Magazine
2008
Houston Top Lawyers, H Texas Magazine
2006
College of the State Bar of Texas, State Bar of Texas
2005
Board Certified - Estate Planning and Probate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Work Experience
2012 - Present
Attorney, Akiens Law Firm PLLC
1999 - 2017
Attorney, Riddle & Akiens LLP
1997 - 1999
Attorney, Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin, PC
1988 - 1994
Paralegal, Various law firms
1983 - 1987
Aircrewman/Jet Mechanic, US Navy
Associations
2013 - Present
Houston Northeast Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Woodlands Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of CommerceMember
2006 - Present
College of the State Bar of TexasMember
2003 - Present
Texas Board of Legal SpecializationBoard Certified in Estate Planning and Probate
2001 - Present
Magnolia Parkway Chamber of CommerceMember
2000 - Present
State Bar of TexasLawyer
2000 - Present
State Bar of TexasAttorneys in Tax and Probate
2000 - Present
State Bar of TexasTax Section
2000 - Present
Houston Bar AssociationMember
2000 - Present
Houston Northwest Bar AssociationMember
Education
1999
Temple University - James E. Beasley School of Law
LL.M. (Master of Law in Tax)
1997
Temple University - James E. Beasley School of Law
JD/MBA - Juris Doctorate and MBA
1997
School of Business in Philadelphia
MBA
1993
Warner Southern College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2017
NBI Live Webinar
Top LLC Mistakes in Asset Protection and Estate Planning
2016
NBI webinar
Advanced LLCs
2015
NBI live webinar
Advanced LLCs
2015
Keeble office seminar
Maximize Your Estate/ Minimize Your Taxes/ Protect Your Assets
2015
Houston North Bar Assoc Seminar
Advanced Asset Protection Planning: LPs and LLCs
2015
CPA seminar
Asset Protection Planning/ Portability - Pros and Cons
2015
CPA Breakfast seminar
Dysfunctional Families and Problems Inherent in the same
2014
Sam Houston Area Council
Wills & Trusts/ Crummy Powers/ Portability - Pros and Cons/ Asset Protection Strategies
2014
Sam Houston Area Council
Get More Bang From Your Buck
2014
CPA Breakfast seminar
New Developments in Estate and Asset Protection Planning
2014
CPA breakfast seminar
Asset Protection Planning/ Portability - Pros and Cons
2014
Business and Professional Women
Top 10 Tips for Estate and Asset Protection Planning
2014
Breakfast Seminar
Choosing the Right Executor and Trustee and When is a Limited Partnership Appropriate?
2013
Woodlands Chamber Seminar
Maximize Your Estate, Minimize Your Taxes, Protect Your Assets and Help Reduce Family Conflict
2013
Sam Houston Area Council
Maximize Your Estate/ Minimize Your Taxes/ Protect Your Assets/ Help Eliminate Family Conflict
2013
Sam Houston Area Council
Impact of New Tax Laws on Estate Planning
2013
CPA Breakfast Seminar
The New Tax Act and How It Impact You
2012
Sam Houston Area Council
How to Avoid the Upcoming Tax Armageddon
2012
PAMCA Lunch Seminar
Collecting on a Debt, Impact of Debtor Filing Bankruptcy, Mechanics of Filing Lien
2012
Dinner Seminar
Maximize Your Wealth
2011
Sam Houston Area Council
Maximize Your Estate/ Minimize Your Taxes/ Protect Your Assets/ Help Eliminate Family Conflict
2009
Texas Pastor Council and Montgomery County Pastor Council
Church Legal Issues Workshop
2009
PAMCA Lunch Seminar
Employee Health Benefits (current bill status in Congress)
2008
PAMCA Lunch Seminar
Employee Policy Manuals and Enforcement
2006
American Women's Society of CPAs
Future of Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning
2003
Accounting Expo
Choice of Business Entity in Texas
Publications
2017
NBI
Top LLC Mistakes in Asset Protection and Estate Planning
2015
National Business Institute Seminar
Advanced LLCs
2004
Houston Business and Tax Law Journal
Choice of Business Entity in Texas
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
If the corporation is purchased in order to keep certain licenses in effect can we still use the same EIN?
25 Jun 2017
Q&A
My husband died without feeling in the benefactor on his life insurance?
30 Jun 2017
Q&A
Do I have to give half of the proceeds to my deceased sister's husband?
29 Jun 2017