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 31 - 33 of 33 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by anonymous | March 03, 2015 | Estate Planning

Client for 10 years

We have been clients of Kirk Kaplan for 10 years and we have always experienced excellent service. Kirk is very knowledgable and takes the time to explain any questions or misunderstanding we may encounter. We feel we are protected and have a peace of mind that our affairs are in order.

Posted by anonymous | February 03, 2014 | Estate Planning

Excellent Estate Planning

Kirk patiently explains complicated estate/trust issues clearly to a novice. He has a comprehensive grasp of all legal and taxation issues so he can design an approach tailored to you.

Posted by Michell | August 18, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Probate

Estate Legal Work

This was the first time in my life where I was appointed as the Personal Representative of a deceased family member. I also had never dealt with an attorney before and didn't know what to expect from an attorney. I was told by a friend of mine that when you work with the attorney, make sure to ask th...em about their philosophy. Why do they practice law? I found that doing this gave me more confidence in the process. There are other successful philosophies out there, but the important thing is that you find an attorney whose philosophy fits your needs. It’s also important to be comfortable asking for clarification when you don't understand something, and when you call the receptionist, you want to be treated respectfully. Your calls should be returned quickly. I chose to work together with attorney Kirk Kaplan of Crest Key, Prof., L.L.C. He proceeded to help me with everything needed for my Uncle and Aunt’s Estate. He helped me with the following: 1) All necessary court filings, and properly notice all parties, and handled creditor matters 2) Prepared the Inventory, including preparing some of the valuations of the property reported therein 3) Prepared all the accountings for the estates 4) Prepared final Individual Income Tax Return (Form 1040) 5) Prepared the Fiduciary Income Tax Return (Form 1041) for the estate 6) Kept me informed throughout the process Working with him made me feel much more at ease about legal issues and confident in the knowledge of the process. While I felt it was crucial to find someone that makes you feel comfortable, and who empowers you to take charge of your legal affairs, Kirk did this for me. He really made me smarter and more confident about legal decisions. I would highly recommend to anyone that using this guy for legal work will get you through the process at ease.

See All Client Reviews

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."

View All Endorsements
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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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
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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