Kevin A. Ganser, Esq., LL.M. Taxation
AV - Preeminent Rated from 2019 through 2023, and a Super Lawyer® Rising Star from 2021 through 2023, North Scottsdale Tax and Estate Planning Attorney, Kevin A. Ganser, Esq., LL.M. Taxation, is an Arizona and California licensed attorney, and is the Managing Attorney of Ganser Law Offices.
Before returning to his adopted home state of Arizona (where he is a proud resident of the North Scottsdale community), Kevin lived, worked and then attended law school in San Francisco, where he obtained a law degree and a specialized legal master's degree in Tax (LL.M. in Taxation) at Golden Gate University School of Law -- a program consistently named the "Best Tax LL.M. Program" by the respected legal publication "The Recorder".
Prior to starting his own law firm, Kevin worked in the San Francisco and San Mateo County probate courts, and subsequently worked, trained, and was mentored by many of the brightest estate judges and attorneys on the West Coast.
Kevin practice largely focuses solely on "private client" matters, specifically concentrated in traditional and advanced estate planning, income tax planning, family wealth preservation, probate, and trust administration. As part of this “private client” approach, Kevin also regularly works on real estate transactions, business formation and transactions (LLC’s and Corporations), often in service of estate planning clients needs and goals.
Kevin also has a specialty in the niche area of advising on Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (Arizona TPT) matters, and has a related California focused practice tailored for Arizona-based clients dealing with California estate planning and probate/trust administration matters.
Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts & Family Wealth Preservation
In his estate planning practice, Kevin works with a diverse range of estate planning clients, from modest estates, young families establishing their first estate plan, along with assisting high or ultra net high worth clientsor business owners seeking income and estate tax relief. Kevin has considerable experience to solve highly complex legal issues, and has a vast network of highly competent subject matter expert professionals that can be utilized by clients when the need arises.
With regard to tax planning and family wealth preservation issues, Kevin has over 10 years of experience implementing advanced tax planning and asset protection strategies, including:
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)
Sales to Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (Sale to IDGTs)
Generation Skipping Dynasty Trusts (GST or "Dynasty" Trust)
Charitable Split Interest Trusts (CRTs or CLATs)
Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRTs)
Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs)
Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs)
Private Foundations
Gifts to Donor Advised Funds
Title II NFA Firearms Trusts (“Gun Trusts”)
Probate & Trust Administration
In his probate and trust administration practice, Kevin has transaction experience with nearly every scenario present in the estate planning world - we’ve seen it all. By the nature of this practice, we have worked on contested matters dealing with estranged or aggrieved family members and/or aggressive third-party creditors.
Note that while Kevin does not serve as litigation counsel in any matter, if disputes do arise (which they regularly do) Kevin has a team of high competent colleagues that can assist with this specialized area of the law,
Real Estate, Corporate, and Tax
Kevin's transactional practice focuses on assisting individuals, families and businesses with:
Commercial and residential real estate leases, private mortgages, and purchase transactions;
Business (LLCs, Corporations, Partnerships) formation and dissolution;
Business transactions (including buy-sell agreements & business sales);
Business succession planning;
Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax ("TPT"; i.e. Sales Tax); and
California estate planning, real property transfers, and property tax planning ("Proposition 13")
Professional Memberships
State Bar of Arizona
State Bar of California
American Bar Association; Section of Real Property Trust and Estate Law
Valley Estate Planners
Maricopa County Bar Association
Central Arizona Estate Planning Council
Bar Admissions
California, 2013
Arizona, 2014
Judicial Experience
Judicial Extern for the Honorable Mary Wiss and the Honorable Peter Busch, San Francisco County Superior Court, Probate Division, 2012
Research Attorney for the Honorable George A. Miram and the Honorable Steven Dylina, San Mateo County Superior Court, Probate Division, 2013-2014
Education
LL.M. in Taxation (Master of Laws), Golden Gate University School of Law, 2013
J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law, 2012
Tax Specialization Certificate with Distinction
B.S., Regional Development, University of Arizona, 2005;
Minors - Business Administration & Public Policy
Arcadia High School (Phoenix, Arizona), Class of 2001
Honors
2019 - 2023 - A/V Preeminent Rating - Martindale-Hubbell
2021 - 2023 - Super Lawyers® Rising Star
Community Involvement
Ambassador - Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) Foundation - 2018 - Present
Volunteer - SHINE Special Needs Ministry at Illuminate Community Church - 2016 - 2020
Personal
In his free time, Kevin enjoys spending cherished quality time with his wife and two daughters, friends and extended family. Kevin enjoys golfing, cooking, skiing, mountain biking, domestic and international travel, and photography. He is an avid Denver Broncos, Phoenix Suns, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Mercedes Formula One racing team, and Real Madrid fan, but regularly keeps an eye on the Arizona Wildcats, and Arizona Cardinals, despite their rather unfortunate history.
