MendenFreiman LLP

Focus across private wealth and commercial matters

The firm's stated client base includes individuals, families, business owners, and high-net-worth or ultra-high-net-worth clients. MendenFreiman LLP works in private wealth, trusts and estates, tax, business law, and real estate. Its office is in Atlanta, Georgia.

These fields often meet in the same matter. A business owner may need an estate plan, a succession plan, and advice on the tax effects of both. Real estate and secured lending may also affect how a business structures a transaction or holds an asset.

In my opinion, the clearest feature of MendenFreiman LLP is the connection among its estate, tax, business, and real estate services. The firm's stated client groups commonly face legal questions that cross those fields. Its lawyers also coordinate with clients' other advisers.

Estate planning, trusts, and private wealth

Larry Freiman leads the Trusts and Estates and Private Wealth Practice Group and holds the title of Co-Founding Partner. The firm's estate services include estate planning, wills, trusts, asset protection, and trust administration. It also handles estate and gift tax planning, wealth transfer planning, and business succession planning.

Planning for families and beneficiaries

An estate plan often starts with a review of assets, ownership, family needs, and intended beneficiaries. Wills and trusts can address who receives property and who manages it. Tax planning may affect the structure chosen for a transfer.

The firm's listed services also include charitable trusts, special needs planning, and family office design. Each field has its own legal and tax questions. Special needs planning, for example, often calls for close attention to benefit rules and the terms of a trust.

Wealth transfer planning may involve gifts during life, transfers at death, or a mix of both. Estate and gift tax rules can shape the timing and form of those transfers. Business succession planning adds questions about ownership, control, valuation, and the future role of family members or other owners.

Trust administration and personal agreements

Trust administration begins after a trustee takes responsibility under the trust document. A trustee typically identifies trust property, reviews distribution terms, keeps records, and communicates with beneficiaries. Tax filings and asset management may also form part of the process.

The site's family law entry centers on prenuptial agreements. These agreements typically require each party to disclose financial information and consider separate legal advice. The terms may address property rights, financial duties, and the treatment of assets if the marriage ends.

Tax planning and disputes with tax authorities

The tax practice covers income tax strategies, business structuring, international taxation, audits, collections, and appeals. This scope places planning work alongside disputes. It also connects tax advice with the firm's business and private wealth services.

Planning and business structure

Tax planning often turns on the type of income, the taxpayer's goals, and the legal form of a business or transaction. Business structuring can affect reporting duties and the way income reaches owners. International taxation can add questions about residency, foreign income, entity ownership, and required filings.

Estate and gift tax planning forms another part of the firm's tax work. That work may overlap with trusts, charitable planning, business succession, and lifetime gifts. Clients commonly need legal and tax advisers to use the same asset values, ownership records, and transaction documents.

Audits, collections, and appeals

A tax audit usually starts when a tax authority asks about a return or requests supporting records. The taxpayer may need returns, account statements, contracts, receipts, valuations, and correspondence. The authority then decides whether to accept the reported position or propose changes.

Collection matters arise after a tax authority asserts an unpaid balance. The process may involve reviewing the assessment, payment history, available remedies, and the taxpayer's financial records. Appeals place the disputed issue before a separate administrative reviewer and often require a clear statement of the facts and legal position.

The firm identifies disputes with tax authorities as part of its work. Its listed services cover the stages that may follow a tax filing, including examination, collection, and administrative appeal. That range is relevant to taxpayers whose needs develop after a planning decision or filed return.

Business formation, growth, and succession

Startup, expansion, and succession issues define the firm's stated business services. Business formation usually requires owners to select an entity and set out their rights in governing documents. Those choices may affect control, liability, taxation, and future transfers of ownership.

During expansion, a business may revise ownership terms, enter contracts, obtain financing, or acquire property. Legal documents often define decision rights and the duties of owners or managers. Tax consequences can influence the timing and structure of these steps.

Succession work addresses what happens when an owner retires, dies, becomes unable to work, or transfers an interest. A plan may need to coordinate entity documents, estate planning instruments, valuation terms, and funding arrangements. MendenFreiman LLP lists business succession planning within its private wealth work and succession issues within its business services.

Real estate transactions and secured lending

Real estate transaction support adds another commercial field to the firm's work. A transaction commonly requires review of the purchase terms, title materials, financing documents, and closing requirements. The parties may also need to address ownership structure and tax treatment.

Secured lending links credit to collateral through written loan and security documents. Lenders and borrowers usually define the debt, repayment terms, collateral, and remedies. Business assets or real estate may supply the collateral, depending on the transaction.

Named lawyers and firm roles

The firm's website assigns a clear leadership role to Lawrence H. (Larry) Freiman. He is a Co-Founding Partner and leads the Trusts and Estates and Private Wealth Practice Group. His listed role connects him directly with the firm's estate planning, trust, and private wealth work.

The home page news items name several other lawyers and state their positions. John C. (Jack) Sawyer is Of Counsel. Matthew S. (Matt) Paolillo, L. Ashley Duel, and Kenneth D. (Kenny) Hall are partners.

The same news items identify two associates. Eric Strickland is listed as an associate. Emmaline Michael is also listed as an associate.