We strive to be highly knowledgeable, experienced and capable in our practice. We desire to develop strong relationships with clients. We take a genuine interest in their lives, goals and opportunities, as well as their fears, issues and concerns.
We work with our clients and their families in a helpful, productive manner to establish a plan the is well thought out and meets their unique needs and desires.
We offer comprehensive estate planning services that empower our clients and give them true Peace of Mind.
When a loved one passes away, we’re here to help our clients with considerate and comprehensive estate administration.
Our elders have unique concerns that require the specialized practice of Elder Law. We help our clients find dignified and comprehensive solutions.
We assist business owners in all areas from start-up and purchase to sale and succession planning.
“Jon McCarty and the good people at Scott, Tokerud & McCarty, P.C. truly exemplify Montana values. They believe in hard work (and they do work hard), doing the right thing, helping a neighbor out, and celebrating the blessings and good things that happen in life. They have been there for me and my family in our time of need, and I cannot imagine how we could have managed without them there to guide and support us. I feel certain that they will offer you the same wisdom, comfort, and support as well.”
“Jon McCarty was recommended to us by a lawyer friend when we were searching for a firm to help us with estate planning. In the ten years Jon has worked with us, we have found him to be highly professional, extremely knowledgeable and compassionate. You can trust Jon to help you plan this very important aspect of your life.”
“Jon McCarty was very helpful in resolving issues with the interpretation of a Last Will and Testament. He was thorough, professional, and communicated extremely well and in a timely manner. Jon’s advice was honest and reassuring. Additionally, the office staff was concerned, kind, and supportive. Jon and the staff were competent and knowledgeable – a most impressive team.”
Giving to Charity Giving to Charity We are all blessed to live in a giving community. Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving on several non-profit boards in Great Falls, including Community Help Line, Children’s Museum of Montana, Montana School for the Deaf and Blind Foundation, Great Falls Public Schools Foundation, and…
Estate Tax Exemption and Annual Gift Tax Exclusion for 2023 Official Estate and Gift Tax Limits for 2023 The Internal Revenue Service has announced new inflation-adjusted estate and gift tax limits for 2023: The estate and gift tax exemption is $12,920,000 million per individual, up from $12,060,000 in 2022. That means an individual could leave…
Does equal mean fair in estate planning? Our clients, as parents, want to treat their children fairly and equally. Splitting assets equally among children may be easy, but is it fair or equitable? Equal and fair can be vastly different depending on the estate plan, and this is where it can become difficult because in…
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 – As Proposed The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 as Proposed – No Direct Effect on Federal Estate Taxes, Gift Taxes, or Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes. The “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,” which is a significantly scaled back version of the proposed “Build Back Better Act” that failed to pass…
Planning Checklist For Those Assisting Elderly Family Members I gave a presentation a few years ago at a local assisted living facility. The topic was powers of attorney and guardianships and conservatorships. Half of the attendees were children of residents at the assisted living facility. Based on the questions that they asked me; it was…
Estate and Long-Term Care Planning – Lessons From Baseball Another baseball season is upon us. I’m always excited about the new season because that means warmer weather has arrived in Montana and my hopes are still alive, at least for a while, that my favorite team will win the World Series. My wife Rhonda and…
A Family Meeting Can Play a Key Role in Your Estate Planning Over the years, both Keith and I have stressed to our clients the importance of communicating your estate plan to your family. Holding a family meeting is a good way to do this. We feel so strongly that a family meeting plays a key role…
The Value of Using Irrevocable Trusts in Medicaid Planning People often wonder about the value of using irrevocable trusts in Medicaid planning. Certainly, gifting of assets can be done outright, not involving an irrevocable trust. Outright gifts have the advantages of being simple to do with minimal costs involved, including the cost of preparing and…
First Party Versus Third Party SNT A First-Party Special Needs Trust (SNT) and a Third-Party Supplemental Needs Trust (SNT) are used when a beneficiary would like access to extra funds without jeopardizing their eligibility for public benefits. Let’s review some key differences between these trusts. The First-Party SNT is irrevocable and is used when the…
Gifting to a Minor with Special Needs We previously have posted blog entries about special needs planning and about gifting. Gifting money to a child with special needs can be a powerful tool for a parent or grandparent to provide support for the special needs child. However, caution must be used when making such gifts…
Each year our firm selects a Charity Partner of the Year, and we dedicate the year to furthering the mission of that charity through sharing their message, volunteering with them, and making monetary donations. This year we have selected Meals on Wheels of Cascade County.
Meals on Wheels provides a hot meal five days a week to residents of Great Falls and its surrounding area. The purpose of the program is to reduce hunger and food insecurity and to promote health and well-being as well as delay adverse health conditions. Additionally, their drivers provide an informal “welfare check” daily, which can bring peace of mind to the client and their family. The program is intended to provide meals for seniors who who are just returning home from the hospital, are no longer able to cook for themselves, or just cannot get to one of their group meal locations.
For additional information and contact information for donations, please visit the link below.
Keith Tokerud focuses his practice on helping clients protect their families and their wealth and helping his business-owner clients plan for the most important financial event of their lives: the transition out of their business.
Jon has been serving clients and their families for 30 years. Since joining the firm in 1992, Jon’s practice has focused on estate planning, estate and trust administration and special needs planning.
Charlene serves the firm by acting as Keith Tokerud’s executive assistant and as the Trust Funding Coordinator.
Chris serves the firm by greeting clients at the front desk, providing general legal assistant services, and is part of the Funding Team.
Sammatha serves the firm by providing general legal assistant services and as the marketing and Peace of Mind Protector Program Coordinator.
Jeanne serves the firm by assisting with the Estate and Trust Administration processes and providing general legal assistant services.
Monday to Thursday
8:30 am – 12:00 pm
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Friday
Closed
Closed for lunch hour
from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Scott, Tokerud & McCarty, P.C.
8 3rd St. North, Suite 507
Great Falls, MT 59401
Phone: 406-727-2200
Fax: 406-727-2227
Email: Contact us using the form below.
