$ 285-400 per hour
PRO
Kirk D Kaplan
Virtual Consultation Available
About Kirk
Biography
Many times individuals who seek legal help also need accounting and tax assistance, and vice versa. The sad thing is individuals are usually required to seek assistance from professionals in at least two different disciplines - legal and accounting/tax. The problems with that are legal and accounting professionals think differently and have different goals even though both profess to have the client's interest in mind. The reason is many times each professional cannot appreciate the importance the other has to contribute.
The solution is to have a professional that actively practices both legal and accounting/tax disciplines. That way you have a professional that looks at issues from multiple view points.
Since I am an attorney and a CPA actively practicing law and accounting/tax, I think in all disciplines simultaneously and as such there is no loss in translation when creating and implementing a strategy. Whether that strategy is creating an estate plan, a complex business structure, or reporting the transaction to proper authorities, legal and accounting/tax disciplines are combined in one place for your benefit.
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%
29 years
Estate Planning
30%
29 years
Trusts
15%
29 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2020 2019 2017
...
+
2
2020 2017 2015
Licenses
Licensed in Colorado for 28 years
State: Colorado
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Licensed in Nevada for 30 years
State: Nevada
Acquired: 1996
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Kirk online.
Kirk D Kaplan's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
110 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (110)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Estate Planning (64)
Trusts (43)
Probate (27)
Tax (20)
Wills & Living Wills (18)
Business (8)
Corporate & Incorporation (8)
Real Estate (5)
Lawsuits & Disputes (3)
Debt Collection (2)
Guardianship (2)
Limited Liability Company (LLC) (2)
Child Support (1)
Contracts & Agreements (1)
Divorce & Separation (1)
Elder Law (1)
Financial Markets and Services (1)
Foreclosure (1)
Life Insurance (1)
Power Of Attorney (1)
Social Security Disability (1)
What Clients Mention
Practice Area Knowledge (70)
Communication Style (46)
Professionalism (43)
Recommendation (41)
Case Results (36)
General Knowledge (33)
Staff & Support (26)
Responsiveness (22)
Character & Conduct (20)
Compassion (18)
Trustworthiness (17)
Cost of Services (16)
Advocacy (14)
Free Consultations (7)
Punctuality (2)
Showing 1 - 5 of 43 reviews | Trusts
Posted by Chase | June 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Trusts
A Trustworthy Attorney with a Magical Touch
We had an outstanding experience working with Kirk to set up our family trust. From start to finish, he was exceptionally friendly, professional, and thorough. What really stood out was his ability to take complex legal concepts and explain them in a way that made sense to us—no jargon, no confusion,...
Posted by Kurt | January 07, 2022 | Trusts
SO FAST, SO CLEARLY STATED
I feel so fortunate to have found Avvo and to have received such a prompt and insightful reply. It was a short, but excellent (free) consult in the area of trusts and taxes. I would surely hire him should the need arise.
Posted by Tammy | January 04, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Trusts
Death and Taxes
They say, there are only two certainties in life: Death and Taxes. However, thanks to Estate Attorney Kirk Kaplan my husband and I will not need to worry about the former any longer. Attorney Kaplan and his staff made the process of creating a Living Trust and Wills stress-free--all the while, provid...
Posted by Thomas | December 14, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Trusts
Trusted Advisor
I'm my practice I don't normally come across complex issues in the area of estate and trust work, I had a situation where decedent was an American citizen and had both foreign and US beneficiaries and also held real property in the US and Canada. Mr Kaplan helped me get values of all of the propert...
Posted by Mary | December 02, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Trusts
Stellar Experience
Very please! Kirk was able to answer all my questions in great detail. I appreciated the use of his white board to illustrate as a visual aid, the answers to my complex questions. The Trust that fit my needs was comprehensive, solid and timely. Carla was wonderful with facilitating the appointments ...
Kirk D Kaplan's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal 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."
Barry Siegel
Estate planning lawyer
Logan Brown
Estate planning lawyer
Christopher Dumm
Elder law lawyer
Michael Potter
Estate planning lawyer
Darcy Houghton
Estate planning lawyer
Michael Pariente
DUI and DWI lawyer
Gregory Jensen
Probate lawyer
Experience
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
WealthCounselMember
1992 - Present
Nevada Society of CPAsMember
1992 - Present
American Institute of Certified Public AccountantsMember
2012 - 2014
Nevada WealthCounsel ForumPresident
2010 - 2019
Nevada Legal ServicesDirector and Chair of Finance Committee
Sample of Legal Cases
Minor Heir Interest Protected
Significant Distribution to Minor Heir
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
2015
DC Press
Estate Planning In Nevada
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
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Kirk earned significant contribution points in 2020.
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I avoid probate if asset is around $5,000?
26 Feb 2022
Q&A
What can the attorney that helped make my Mom's trust discuss with me?
22 Feb 2022
Q&A
I just did ask my question
20 Feb 2022
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Holding Title to Property In Nevada for Married Persons
14 Dec 2015
Legal Guide
Trustee, Personal Representative (executor), and Power of Attorney defined.
14 Aug 2015