Kirk D Kaplan

PRO

Kirk D Kaplan

5.0
Rating: 9.4

Licensed for 30 years

Probate Lawyer at Las Vegas, NV
Practice Areas: Probate, Estate Planning, Trusts

6980 O'Bannon Drive, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV

Virtual Consultation Available

About Kirk

Biography

I Concentrate Upon Improving The Lives Of Everyone Who I Can Help Within The Areas Of My Practice.

Estate Planning Is Deeply Personal, So I Gladly Take The Time To Get To Know You. Call Today!

After The Death Of A Family Member, I Compassionately Help Survivors With Probate Matters. Call Me!

20 Years Experience In Wills and Trusts, We Have The Knowledge To Ensure Your Family Is Protected!

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Probate 55%

Crest Key provides a robust probate help from filing documents with the court, preparing accountings according to the Nevada law, and preparation of final individual income tax returns (Form 1040) and the fiduciary returns for the estates (Form 1041), and Estate Tax returns (Form 706). Information filed in court flow to information provided to heirs and to the IRS. There is no loss in translation between law, accounting and tax because we are actively practicing attorneys and expert CPAs.

29 years

55%
Estate Planning 30%

Crest Key, as a law and accounting firm, we not only help family prepare for and navigate life changing events, but help clients plan for and prepare individual income tax returns. That means that estate planning clients who choose to use our services get a free annual trust review when picking up their federal taxes. There is no loss in translation between law, accounting and tax because we are actively practicing attorneys and expert CPAs.

29 years

30%
Trusts 15%

Crest Key, in addition to establishing numerous trusts, we also provide a robust help with trust administration, preparing accountings according to the Nevada law, and preparation of final individual income tax returns (Form 1040) and the fiduciary returns for the trust (Form 1041), and Estate Tax returns (Form 706). Information flows to beneficiaries and to the IRS. There is no loss in translation between law, accounting and tax because we are actively practicing attorneys and expert CPAs.

29 years

15%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 285-400 per hour

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2020 2019 2017
...
+ 2
Top Contributor
Top Contributor
2020 2017 2015
Platinum Client Champion
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Colorado for 28 years

State: Colorado

Acquired: 1997

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Nevada for 30 years

State: Nevada

Acquired: 1996

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Crest Key Legal and Accounting

6980 O'Bannon Drive, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV, 89117

crestkey.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Kirk online.

Kirk D Kaplan's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

110 Client Reviews

Showing 26 - 30 of 33 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Kris and Bill | June 04, 2015 | Estate Planning

We love Kirk Kaplan

We were referred to Kirk Kaplan in 2002, shortly after moving to Henderson, NV from Philadelphia, PA. We enjoyed instant rapport. Since that time he has provided us invaluable legal service and advice. He established living trusts for us, including medical directives, powers of attorney , etc. He... also skillfully moved an irrevocable trust from PA to NV and administered that trust for many years. Most recently he decanted that trust so that our children and their children can benefit from that trust while we are still alive. Kirk has proven to be an essential and valuable asset to our family. He has our full and unquestioned confidence and trust. His extensive knowledge of the law and skills have saved us considerable money and given us peace of mind knowing that our estate matters are in order. He skillfully uses his wonderful ability to make complex and jumbled legal concepts and matters understandable. His warm, pleasant, enthusiastic, upbeat and confident demeanor embodies the outstanding work he and his staff provide. We are so very happy that he is our lawyer and highly recommend him to anyone seeking top of the line creative, custom-made legal work. We and our son who lives in CA look forward to our continued relationship with Kirk Kaplan

Posted by George | May 21, 2015 | Estate Planning

The single best estate planning and health care directives attorney you will ever find!

I moved to Las Vegas in September of 2009 to take care of my elderly parents. Shortly thereafter I met Kirk and he helped me me put all of their estate planning and health care directives in place. This was something I have never done before and Kirk took a tremendous amount of time and care to ful...ly understand the situation and help us put together all of the plans. I was really impressed with the amount of time Kirk took to meet both my mother and father to ensure he completely understood what they wanted so that the resulting plans clearly espressed their end of life wishes. He explained everything to us in plain English and made what was a very difficult and stressful topic for all of us easy and smooth. My mom and dad both really liked Kirk and he felt like more like a friend than an attorney to all of us. My dad passed away in August of 2012 and my mom shortly thereafter in December of 2012. Needless to say this time in my life was incredibly difficult and it impacted far more than I assumed it would. I had absolutely no idea of what I needed to do to finalize the estate and frankly I didn't want to deal with it. Again Kirk stepped in and made the spin down of the estate efficient, simple, and easy on me and my family. He helped me get through and incredibly difficult time and I will always be grateful to him. In short I strongly believe you could not find a better estate planning/health care directives attorney than Kirk Kaplan. In addition to being incredibly competent and efficient he will make the process as easy and painless as possible while 100% assuring your wishes will be followed. I'd be happy to personally talk to anyone who wants further information.

Posted by anonymous | May 14, 2015 | Estate Planning

My Will and Trusts are done

I first met Mr. Kaplan at an information meeting 8 years ago where he was explaining and encouraging wills and trusts. After years of not getting it done, and with my health declining, I called and made an appointment. He was most encouraging that I was moving forward and not disparaging in the least.... Once the will was done and after meeting with a financial adviser, I decided to move forward and have some trusts done. Mr. Kaplan spent the time we needed and explained things well. He had contact with the financial adviser where needed, and made certain that my retirement fund will work with the trust as desired. His assistant is also very helpful and efficient. This was a very good experience for me.

Posted by Robert | April 08, 2015 | Estate Planning

Kirk Kaplan

I have been a client of Kirk Kaplan for over 10 years. In the beginning, I came to Mr. Kaplan for estate planning and asset protection with my father. He helped my father establish an asset protection trust as well as integrate and establish businesses within the trust. Most importantly, Mr. Kaplan m...ade sure we understood how to maintain the trust’s status. He was there every step of the way. When my father passed was when all the planning and structuring was tested. Mr. Kaplan’s planning and advise came through exactly as intended. Today, the trust is alive and well just as projected. Overall Mr. Kaplan’s grasp and understanding of combining business and personal needs of his clients when structuring their estate and business plan is unsurpassed.

Posted by Bryant | April 07, 2015 | Tax

Exercised knowledge is key to success

ATTY Kirk Kaplin provided me with solid legal advice and assisted me in my tax situation which i was worried about,but he talked to me and after i left his office i felt confident that everything was going to be okay.Kirk is an great attorney who emphatically listened to me and gave great feedback... and instructions,so Thank you ,Kirk Kaplin for then and now!

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Kirk D Kaplan's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Kirk
Michael Charles Doland headshot
Michael Doland

Estate planning lawyer | Jan 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"The analysis I just reviewed in an answer of Mr. Kaplan was among the best in my ten years of participation on Avvo. It was full of analysis and customized to the needs of the Avvo asker. These are exactly the qualities there every client would look for when hiring an attorney."

Barry Douglas Siegel headshot
Barry Siegel

Estate planning lawyer | Apr 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Kirk Kaplan Because he cares deeply about his clients and has expert knowledge in his field. If you hire Kirk to represent you, you are in great hands."

Logan Michael Brown headshot
Logan Brown

Tax lawyer | Jun 21

Relationship: Friend

"Kirk is a colleague of mine in an estate planning national study group called e.planners. At our group's recent summer meeting in Minneapolis, I found Kirk's knowledge and insight into tax and estate planning to be very helpful to me. I endorse Kirk."

Keith M Lyons Jr headshot
Keith Lyons

Estate planning lawyer | Aug 04

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse Kirk Kaplan as one of the top Trust and Estate attorneys in the State of Nevada. I have worked with him on several complex matters and have found that his background as an Attorney and a licensed Certified Public Accountant allows him to provide detailed tax advise to his clients. Furthermore, his accounting skills allow him to identify issues with clients' financial records whether those issues are the result of negligence or fraud. For complex Trust and Estate cases you cannot find a better attorney than Kirk Kaplan."

Darcy K. Houghton headshot
Darcy Houghton

Estate planning lawyer | Aug 19

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I would like to endorse Kirk Kaplan. For years, Kirk and I have served together as Board Members for the Wealth Counsel NV Forum. Kirk is committed to providing a best in class practice and to meeting the needs of his clients. Additionally, having his CPA, gives Kirk an added understanding of the tax ramifications of plans."

Michael David Pariente headshot
Michael Pariente

Estate planning lawyer | May 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Kirk Kaplan is a brilliant lawyer and CPA whom I have referred my clients to with estate or tax law issues. I have known him for nearly ten years and he is also my lawyer for my own trust and someone I call when I have questions about tax law."

Sean Cleary headshot
Sean Cleary

Business lawyer | Dec 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Dec 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Michael Leo Potter headshot
Michael Potter

Estate planning lawyer | Jan 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've known Kirk as a fellow member of WealthCounsel who serves not only the public in Las Vegas but his fellow attorneys as well as a key player in the Nevada WealthCounsel forum. Kirk's calm demeanor and professional approach to problem-solving combined with his many other skill sets make him a valued legal, tax and business advisor. He is a credit to the Legal Profession."

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Barry Douglas Siegel headshot
Barry Siegel

Estate planning lawyer

Logan Michael Brown headshot
Logan Brown

Estate planning lawyer

Christopher William Dumm headshot
Christopher Dumm

Elder law lawyer

Michael Leo Potter headshot
Michael Potter

Estate planning lawyer

Darcy K. Houghton headshot
Darcy Houghton

Estate planning lawyer

Michael David Pariente headshot
Michael Pariente

DUI and DWI lawyer

Gregory L. Jensen headshot
Gregory Jensen

Probate lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.4 (Superb)

Honors

2023

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Top Contributor - Probate, Avvo

2015

Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2014

Top Lawyer, Desert Companion Magazine

2014

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2014

Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2013

Top Lawyer, Vegas Inc.

2013

Top Lawyer, Desert Companion Magazine

2012

Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, Nevada Legal Services

2012

Top Lawyer, Desert Companion Magazine

2009

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

2008 - Present

Manager, Crest Key Legal and Accounting

2005 - 2008

Senior Associate in Tax and Estate Planning, Jone Vargas

2003 - 2005

Partner for Tax, Chavez & Koch, CPAs

Associations

2008 - Present

WealthCounsel

Member

1992 - Present

Nevada Society of CPAs

Member

1992 - Present

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Member

2012 - 2014

Nevada WealthCounsel Forum

President

2010 - 2019

Nevada Legal Services

Director and Chair of Finance Committee

Sample of Legal Cases

Minor Heir Interest Protected

Significant Distribution to Minor Heir

See More Legal Cases

Education

1996

Thomas M. Cooley Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1986

Regis College

BS - Bachelor of Science

1986

Regis College

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2019

Realtor Continuing Education

Probate In Nevada and Foreign Investment In Real Property Transfer Act

2017

Spring Event

Trust Administration

2017

Fall Event

Mitigating Fiduciary Litigation

2015

WealthCounsel

Accounting under Nevada Revised Statutes

2015

Keller Williams, Realtor Training

Business Planning

2015

Estate Planning 101

Estate Planning

2014

State of Nevada Radio Program Can Families Avoid Feuding Over Heirlooms?

2013

Nevada WealthCounsel Forum May Event

Legislative Update on Nevada Probate and Trust Statutes

Publications

2013

Originally published in the official journal of the Clark County Bar Association, COMMUNIQUÉ (October 2013, Vol. 34, No. 10). All rights reserved. Offer in Compromise – A Method to Permanently Settle Taxes Due

Languages

English

Activity

Top Contributor

Kirk earned significant contribution points in 2020.

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution