Law Offices of
Shaw & Nelson, PLLC

If you are looking for a law practice with an in-depth knowledge of Estate Planning, Special Education, and Business Law in Louisville and the surrounding areas, Shaw & Nelson, PLLC is the place to call. Our attorneys have the well-developed legal skills necessary to help you whether you are planning for retirement, dealing with the complexities of raising a special needs child or handling a business transaction.

What Sets Shaw & Nelson Apart

You will find our attorneys are open and approachable. We are as eager to listen as to explain. We know that in order to serve you well we have to pay attention to the details of what you are going through. Book a call now so we can discuss your best options.

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Our Practice Areas in
Louisville Focus On:
Estate Planning

Many people think of estate planning as a process for the elderly. Actually, the most productive time to begin estate planning is in early adulthood or in the middle years between 45 and 60. This is the time when taking control of your finances gives you the best chance of realizing the future you envision. We routinely assist our clients with:

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Probate and Estate Administration

In high-net-worth estates, probate and tax matters can become extremely complex. Our accomplished attorneys have the experience and know-how to assist you in using trusts to avoid the costs and delays of probate. We will also assist you in getting accurate appraisals of valuable assets and making sure that your beneficiaries receive their maximum inheritance in a timely manner.

Business Succession

We understand the ins and outs of passing your business on to a successor at the time of your death by leaving your company to an heir, selling it to a business partner, employee, or outside party, or selling your shares back to the company.

Asset Protection

We know how best to protect your hard-earned assets from costly probate, excessive taxation, creditors, scam artists, divorcing spouses, lawsuit verdicts or settlements, or beneficiaries who will spend unwisely.

Charitable Planning

We are well prepared to set up whichever type of charitable trust, fund, or foundation best suits your wishes and your goals, including a charitable remainder trust, a charitable gift annuity, a charitable lead trust, a private foundation, or a donor-advised fund.

Special Needs Planning

Protecting a special needs child or other relative with disabilities is a priority for any family. Not only do you want to provide for the vulnerable individual during your lifetime; but you also want to make sure that they are well taken care of if you become incapacitated or pass away. By establishing a special needs trust, our attorneys can arrange for your loved one to have supplemental funding throughout their lifetime while remaining eligible for Medicaid and other government benefits, such as Social Security Disability.

Estate Tax Planning

For those with high-net-worth estates, finding ways to minimize your estate tax is a critical part of estate planning. Our estate planning attorneys know a number of ways to reduce your assets through charitable donations, irrevocable trusts, and gifts. By doing this, we lower the value of your estate and may greatly diminish, or even eliminate, your estate taxes. Remember, however, that such plans must be put into place well before you die to be effective.

Business Law

Business Law is a complicated discipline, but our Business Law attorneys are well up to the tasks involved. We handle all of the following areas efficiently, and if need be, aggressively, to make sure that your rights are protected.

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Business Formation and Startup Services

We advise clients on all aspects of business formation, including preparing organizational documents and applying for business licenses and permits. We also help clients choose and establish the right type of organization for their business, e.g. a Subchapter C or S corporation, a Limited Liability Company (LLC), a partnership, or a joint venture.

Business Transactions

At the heart of all businesses are transactions and we assist clients in navigating joint ventures, asset sales, and mergers and acquisitions. We also prepare all types of necessary documents, including buy-sell, employment, and non-compete agreements.

 

Intellectual Property Protection

We are also ready to protect your business’s intangible assets, such as copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets, in order to preserve your brand and your reputation.

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Special Education Law

In Kentucky, as throughout the U.S., every child with a physical disability or special needs is entitled to a “free, appropriate, public education (FAPE)” under federal law. Nonetheless, if
your child has been diagnosed by reputable professionals as deserving of special educational accommodations, you may still experience challenges in getting the proper services.

This is where Shaw & Nelson’s special education lawyers are happy to step in. We have the experience and the know-how to fight for your child, relieve your stress, and bring your troubling situation to a successful conclusion.

Little girl signing with hands to communicate with her mother.

Section 504 – A 504 plan is designed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law receives accommodations that will help them achieve academic success. This may mean small modifications to the learning environment (such as giving the student the ability to check in with a safe adult during the day or having a longer time to take tests). Such adaptations can make a big difference in the child’s ability to absorb and retrieve information and also lower their anxiety level.

Individual Education Plan (or Program) – Commonly known as an IEP, this plan is designed to make certain that the child receives the specialized instruction and related services (i.e. speech or occupational therapy) they are entitled to. To this end, parents, teachers, and a representative of the school system have a meeting to evaluate the child’s level of performance, and chart measurable milestones to support meeting their academic and social goals.

Special education teacher working with a special needs student on counting.
Contact Shaw & Nelson, PLLC

Shaw & Nelson has a well-deserved reputation for empathy as well as excellence. Whether you come to us to protect your assets for the future, to ensure that your child receives the very best special education services, or that your business grows and thrives, we are here to help. Get in touch with us for legal representation you can trust and advocacy you can count on.

Louisville Office
9700 Park Plaza Ave., Suite 108
Louisville, KY 40241
Call our office 502.384.7201
Contact Our Experienced Estate Planning, Special Education, and Business Law Attorneys Today