Richard M. Morgan
Top rated Estate Planning & Probate attorney in Alpharetta, Georgia
Morgan & DiSalvo, P.C.
Practice Areas: Estate Planning & Probate, Tax; view more
Licensed in Georgia since: 1987
Education: University of Georgia School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2025 Call today:
678-720-0750
Free Consultation Morgan & DiSalvo, P.C.
5755 North Point Parkway, Suite 17Alpharetta, GA 30022 Visit website
Details
In 1995, experienced attorney Richard M. Morgan founded the Alpharetta law firm of Morgan + DiSalvo, PC. He established this practice in order to provide individuals, families and business owners with guidance and support as they make important decisions concerning their futures, the futures of their loved ones and the futures of their businesses. Today, Mr. Morgan continues to assist clients in the Atlanta metropolitan area and surrounding North Georgia with legal needs related to the following:
• Estate and tax planning
• Business succession planning
• Planning for special needs beneficiaries
• Asset protection
• Charitable gift planning
Attorney Morgan began practicing law in 1987 after earning his law degree from University of Georgia School of Law and his admission to the State Bar of Georgia. In 1992, he went on to receive a Master of Law in Taxation from Emory University School of Law.
Over the course of his more than 37-year legal career, Mr. Morgan has earned a reputation as one of Georgia's leading attorneys, as evidenced by the number of honors he has received. He has a "Superb" rating from Avvo, and he has received an AV Preeminent* peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. In addition, he has received recognition from both Atlanta Magazine and Georgia Trend Magazine for his outstanding legal abilities. Mr. Morgan also became a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) in 2014, which is the most prestigious professional group of Trusts & Estates attorneys in the country.
Mr. Morgan has served on multiple legislative committees of the State Bar of Georgia to improve the GA LLC laws, the GA Trust Code and worked on the enactment of the GA Uniform Power of Attorney Act.
As impressive as attorney Morgan's honors are, the honors bestowed upon his firm are equally impressive. U.S. News & World Report and Best Law Firms has recognized his firm on its Best Law Firms list since 2013, and the two organizations rated Morgan + DiSalvo, PC, as a Tier 1 firm for Trusts & Estates and a Tier 2 firm for Taxation Law in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
* AV®, BV®, AV Preeminent® and BV Distinguished® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general practice standards.
Practice areas
Estate Planning & Probate, Tax: ConsumerFocus areas
Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Tax Law, Trusts, Wills
- 90% Estate Planning & Probate
- 10% Tax: Consumer
First Admitted: 1987, Georgia
Professional Webpage: http://morgandisalvo.com/our-attorneys/richard-morgan/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- President- Estate Planning & Probate Section, Atlanta Bar Association (2001 - 2002)
- Member, Executive Committee of the Fiduciary Law Section of the Georgia Bar Association (2012 - present)
- President - Taxation Section, State Bar of Georgia (1999 - 2000)
- President - Estate Planning Council of North Georgia (1997)
- Member of the Atlanta Bar Association (1994 - 2021)
- Member & Steering Committee Member, Philanthropic Advisor Leadership Institute (2007 - 2019)
- Legislative Committee - Fiduciary Law Section, State Bar of Georgia (2001 - present)
- Member, Taxation Section, Atlanta Bar Association (1990s - 2019)
- Graduate - Philanthropic Advisor Leadership Institute (2007)
- Member, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) (2010 - 2021)
- Board Member - North Atlanta Tax Council (1998)
- Member, GA Trust Code Revision Sub-Committee of the Legislative Committee of the Fiduciary Section of the State Bar of GA (2015 -2021)
- President - Taxation Section, Atlanta Bar Association (1996)
- Member of the American Bar Association (1994 - 2010)
- Member, Estate Planning & Probate Section, Atlanta Bar Association (founding Bd. Member in late 1990s - 2021)
- Partnership Committee - Business Law Section, State Bar of Georgia (1997 - 2016)
- Member, Taxation & Fiduciary Law Sections, Georgia Bar Association (1980s - 2021)
- Graduate- Leadership North Fulton (2007)
- Member, Collaborative Law Institute Of Georgia (CLIG) (2010 - 2021)
- Board Member - Financial Planning Association (2002)
- Fellow, The American Collette of Trust & Estate Council (ACTEC) (2014 - 2021)
- President - Georgia Planned Giving Council (1998)
- Member of State Bar of Georgia (1987 - 2021)
- Member - CEO Roundtable, Cobb County Chamber of Commerce (1989)
- Member- Atlanta Estate Planning Council (1996 - 2021)
- Member, North Fulton Bar Association (2006 - 2011)
- Georgia ElderCare Network (founding member, 2005 - 2013)
- Member of Board of Directors & Chair of Civil Collaborative, Collaborative Law Institute of Georgia (CLIG)(2011 - 2012)
Videos:
- Estate Planning Solutions That Work for Blended Families and Couples Without Children, Basics Video Newsletter Series, 2023
- Critically Important Question of How to Own Assets and Name Proper Beneficiary Designations, Basics Video Newsletter Series, 2019
- How Assets Pass at Death, Basics Video Newsletter Series, 2019
- What Everyone Needs in Order to Complete an Estate Plan, Basics Video Newsletter Series, 2019
- What is Estate Planning?, Basics Video Newsletter Series, 2019
- Visit our Video Library
- discussion of Caveats to Significant Gifting during 2011 -- 2012. Presented at the 2011 Fiduciary law Institute sponsored by the State Bar of GA's Fiduciary Law Section and GA Institute on Continuing Legal Education, Caveats to Gifting & the 2010 Tax Act, 2011
- Discussion of Types of Gifts to consider making during 2011 -- 2012 & Who Should consider making them. Presented at the 2011 Fiduciary law Institute sponsored by the State Bar of GA's Fiduciary Law Section and GA Institute on Continuing Legal Education., Types of Gifts to Make & The 2010 Tax Act, 2011
- Discussion of the current 2010 Tax Act issues for completed 2010 gifts. Presented at the 2011 Fiduciary law Institute sponsored by the State Bar of GA's Fiduciary Law Section and GA Institute on Continuing Legal Education., Completed 2010 Gifting Issues & the 2010 Tax Act, 2011
- Discussion of planning to avoid Financial Insecurity concerns after significant gifting by proper gift structuring. Presented at the 2011 Fiduciary law Institute sponsored by the State Bar of GA's Fiduciary Law Section and GA Institute on Continuing Legal Education., Financial Insecurity - the Elephant in the Room & the 2010 Tax Act, 2011
- Discussion of Rules and Benefits of gifting during 2011 -- 2012. Presented at the 2011 Fiduciary law Institute sponsored by the State Bar of GA's Fiduciary Law Section and GA Institute on Continuing Legal Education., Exemption/Rate & Gifting Benefits & the 2010 Tax ACt, 2011
Transactions:
- Perpetual Delaware Dynasty Trust to hold $60+ million second-to-die life insurance policy for the benefit of clients' grandchildren, which did not yet exist to take care of his descendants below his children in perpetuity., 2012
- Significant number of dispute resolution matters in the T&E and tax areas of the law.
- Multiple sophisticated charitable gift planning engagements.
- Significant amount of multi-generational estate planning to maximize various estate planning benefits, including tax minimization and asset protection, including the protection of beneficaries from future potential creditors, including spouse's in divorce situations.
- Multiple business succession and business exit planning engagements.
- Pre-business sale transactions to minimize taxes and maximize various estate planning related benefits
- Was a part of complex GST planning transaction at the end of 2010. This transaction took advantage of a two week window of opportunity under the 2010 Tax Act. The transaction effectively moved a long existing trust's transferor level down generations so that millions in GST taxes would be avoided upon the death of the last to die of the oldest generation beneficiaries. , 2010
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Certification by the Collaborative Law Institute of GA in Civil Collaborative Dispute Resolution, 2010
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Member - Planned Giving Advisory Council - American ORT (2000)
- Secretary and Member of Executive Committee - Jewish Family & Career Services (2002 - 2003)
- Technical Advisor - Legacy Gifts Subcommittee- Jewish Family & Career Services (1998)
- Member - Endowment Committee (2002 - 2016) & Endowment Executive Committee (2002 - 2004) - Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta
- Trustee - Congregation Dor Tamid (2000)
- Member - Planned Giving Advisory Board - The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta (1998 - 1999)
- Member - Endowment Program Steering Committee- Jewish Family & Career Services (1999)
- Chairman - Planned Giving Subcommittee - Jewish Family & Career Services (1995)
- Chairman and/or Member - Technical Advisory Subcommittee - Endowment Committee, Metropolitan YMCA (1995 -1998)
- CEO Roundtable - Cobb County Chamber of Commerce (1998)
- Member - Board of Directors - Jewish Family & Career Services (1999 - 2003)
- Co-Chairman - Legacy Gifts Subcommittee- Jewish Family & Career Services (1996)
- Chair and/or Member - Endowment Professional Advisory Committee - Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta (1999 - 2011)
Honors/Awards:
- Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America
- Avvo Client Champion Platinum, Avvo
- Legal Elite in Tax, Trust and Estate Category, Georgia Trend Magazine
- Best Lawyers in America - Atlanta Metro- Trusts and Estates Law. 2013-2019
- Atlanta's Five Star Wealth Manager, Best in Client Satisfaction (2008 - 2016), Crescendo Business Services
- Five Star Professional, Five Star Wealth Manager, Five Star Professional
- Georgia Super Lawyers, Georgia Super Lawyers
- Highest Legal Ability & Ethical Standards rating (AV) and rate 5.0 on the new 5.0 scale (1996 - 2021), AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell & Lawyers.com
- Highest lawyer ratings in Experience, Industry Recognition & Professional Conduct (Rated 10 out of 10 - Superb) (2009 - 2021), Superb Rating, AVVO.com
- Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers Georgia, 2013-2021, Super Lawyers, Findlaw
Educational Background:
- B.B.A., cum laude, in Accounting degree from the University of GA, 1980-1984
- J.D. (Law) Degree from the University of Georgia School of Law , 1984-1987
- LL.M. in Taxation from Emory University Law School , 1988-1992
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Presentation on Georgia's New Uniform Power of Attorney Act to members of Wilmington Trust, N.A., Speaker, Georgia Has a New Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Wilmington Trust, N.A., Wealth Managers, CPAs & Attorneys, 2017
- A Presentation on Changing Irrevocable Trusts in Light of 2018 Georgia Trust Code Related Legislation to the North Atlanta Tax Council., Speaker, Changing Irrevocable Trusts in Light of 2018 Georgia Trust Code Related Legislation, North Atlanta Tax Council, Tax Accountants And Attorneys, Estate Planners, Wealth Mangers, 2018
- National Estate Planning Council of North Georgia presentation on tax planning., Lecturer, The Basics of Estate Planning, Emeritus at Dunwoody, National Estate Planning Council Of North Georgia, 2014
- A presentation addressing the chaos related to estate planning following the various Tax Acts., Speaker, Estate Planning (Chaos?) in 2017 and Beyond, Morgan & DiSalvo, P.C., Attorneys At Morgan & DiSalvo, 2017
- Presentation on tax updates for 2017 at the EPCNGA meeting., Speaker, 2017 Estate Tax Update, Estate Planning Council of North Georgia, National Estate Planning Council Of North Georgia, 2017
- Presentation about Georgia's new Uniform Power of Attorney Act to the ElderCouncil, Speaker, Georgia Has a New Uniform Power of Attorney Act, ElderCouncil, Elder Attorneys, 2017
- Presentation on Georgia's new Uniform Power of Attorney Act to the Estate Planning & Probate section of the Atlanta Bar., Speaker, Georgia Has a New Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Atlanta Bar Association, Estate Planning & Probate Section Of The Atlanta Bar, 2017
- A presentation to a group of firms, including wealth mangers, CPAs and attortneys, on the topic of planning issues associated with qualified plans and IRAs, specifically using trust to meet clients objectives., Speaker, Estate Planning issues with Qualified Plans and IRAs, Walt Helms Study Group, Wealth Managers, CPAs & Attorneys, 2015
- Presentation to students at Georgia State Law School on An Estate Planners Perspective on Collaborative Dispute Resolution Practice., Speaker, An Estate Planners Perspective on Collaborative Dispute Resolution Practice, Georgia State Law School, Law School Students, 2015
- National Estate Planning Council of North Georgia speech on tax planning., Lecturer, Income Tax Planning Toolbox, Emeritus at Vinings, National Estate Planning Council Of North Georgia, 2014
- Estate Planning: Basic Concepts to Sophisticated Approaches, Financial & Retirement Planning Seminar, 2002
- More to the Family, Less to the IRS, Seminar Series, 1993
- Passing Assets Under the Estate Plan - Let Me Count the Ways (From Outright Transfers to Incentive Trusts), North Atlanta Chapter Of The Georgia Society Of CPA's Meeting, 2002
- Federal Tax Update, Annual Tax Forum, 1992
- Estate Planning and Charitable Gift Planning: Basic Concepts and Techniques, Advising Your Clients On Charitable Gift Planning, 2001
- Speaker, Where to Begin? - An Overview Of Trusts & Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, National Business Institute, 2011
- Estate Planning and Charitable Gift Planning After the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Cobb Community Foundation Professional Advisors Meeting, 2001
- The tax and non-tax, estate planning implications under the new 2010 Tax Act, Member of 4 lawyer panel, Planning under the new 2010 Tax Act, Atlanta Bar Estate Planning & Probate Section, 2011
- Overview of Advantages and Disadvantages of Estate Planning with Family Limited Partnerships ("FLPs") and Other Partnership Type Entities, Family Limited Partnerships In Georgia, 2001
- Speaker, Civil Collaborative Process: The New Alternative Dispute Resolution Process, National Business Institute, 2010
- Planning Issues Raised by Formation and Capitalization of Family Limited Partnerships ("FLPs") and Other Partnership Type Entities, Family Limited Partnerships In Georgia, 2001
- Co-Speaker, The Temporary 2010 Tax Act: Why is this Continuing Chaos Different?, GA ICLE, 2011
- Speaker, Planning under the 2010 Tax Act: Benefits within the Chaos, Georgia Planned Giving Council, 2011
- Estate Planning and Charitable Gift Planning after the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Georgia Planned Giving Council Meeting, 2001
- Panel Leader and Speaker, An Estate Planner's Perspective on Collaborative Dispute Resolution Practice, 2012
- Minimum Distribution Planning for IRAs and Qualified Plans: the Old and New Proposed Regulations Along with Planning Options and strategies, Lunch And Learn, 2001
- Speaker, Civil Collaborative Process: The New Alternative Dispute Resolution Process, 2010
- Minimum Distribution Planning for IRAs and Qualified Plans ; the Old and New Proposed Regulations Along with Planning Options and Strategies, North Atlanta Chapter Of The Georgia Society Of CPAs Meeting, 2001
- The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012: Estate Planning Game Changer?, Atlanta Bar Association's Estate Planning & Probate Section, 2013
- Estate Planning and the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, North Atlanta Chapter Of The Georgia Society Of CPAs Meeting, 2001
- The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012: Estate Planning Game Changer?, 2013
- The Importance of Estate Planning, Keynote Speaker, Estate Planning Day, 2000
- Presentations at multiple high-end financial advisory firms on the 2012 Tax Act and its various tax and non-tax planning implications, The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012: Estate Planning Game Changer?, 2013
- FLLCs, FLPs, FLLPs and Estate Planning in Georgia, Georgia ICLE Seminar, 2000
- Presentation on the 2012 Tax Act and its various tax and non-tax planning implications, Speaker, The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012: What do we do now?, Estate Planning Council Of North Georgia, 2013
- Business Succession and Other Charitable Gift Planning Techniques for Owners of Closely Held Business, Annual Georgia Planned Giving Conference, 1999
- Presentation at 2014 GA Fiduciary Law Conference in St. Simons, GA , Income Tax Planning Toolkit for Estate Planners, ICLE of GA, 2014
- FLLCs, FLPs, FLLPs and Estate Planning in Georgia, Georgia ICLE Seminar, 1999
- Two attorney panel presentation and debate on the use and funding of Revocable Trusts., Panelist, Revocable Trusts: Separating Fact From Fiction, Estate Planning & Probate Section of the Atlanta Bar Associaition, 2016
- An Introduction to Charitable Giving Techniques: A look at Charitable Giving From the Perspective of the Donor, Back-to-the-Basics Seminar, 1998
- Charitable Remainder Trusts, Charitable Lead Trusts and Their Creative Uses, Giving Back To The Future Conference, 1998
- Professionals and Non-Profit Executives, Joint Meeting Of The Georgia Planned Giving Council And NSFRE, 1998
- Estate Planning Basic Concepts and Techniques, AARP Retirement Planning Program, 1997
- The Role of Financial Planners in Estate Planning, Financial Planning Association Meeting, 1997
- Estate Planning: How to "Supercharge" Your ILIT, Maximize Flexibility and Avoid Common Mistakes, Financial Planning Association Meeting, 1997
- Qualified Plan / IRA Distribution Planning Options, Legal And Tax Committee Meeting, 1997
- Estate Planning: Basic Concepts and Techniques, Retirement Planning Program, 1997
- Estate Planning: Basic Concepts and Techniques, Georgia Planned Giving Council Meeting, 1996
- Charitable Planned Giving: Basic Concepts to Sophisticated Approaches, Georgia Planned Giving Council Meeting, 1996
- New IRS Collection Standards, North Atlanta Chapter Of The Georgia Society Of CPAs Meeting, 1996
- Advanced Estate Planning and Charitable Giving Techniques, North Georgia Estate Planning Council Meeting, 1996
- Family Wealth and Estate Planning Techniques and Opportunities, North Atlanta Chapter Of The Georgia Society Of CPAs Meeting, 1995
- Ethical Considerations, Trust In Georgia, 1994
- Federal Tax Considerations of Trusts in Georgia, Trusts In Georgia, 1994
- Painless Estate Planning and The Family Gifting Trust/ILIT, North Atlanta Tax Council Meeting, 2002
- Tax Planning Opportunities in Real Estate, Annual Tax Forum, 1993
- Estate Planning: Basic Concepts, American Pharmacist’s Association, 2007
- Family Wealth and Estate Planning Techniques and Opportunities, North Atlanta Chapter Of The Georgia Society Of CPAs Meeting, 1993
- Estate Planning in an Increasing Interest Rate Environment, Trust Department Of SunTrust Bank, 2006
- Minimum Distribution Planning for IRAs and Qualified Plans, Lunch And Learn, 2003
- Executive Summary of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993, North Atlanta Chapter Of The Georgia Society Of CPAs Meeting, 1993
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Selected by U.S. News & World Report and BestLawyers.com as one of the Best Law Firms for Trusts and Estates Law in Georgia (2013-2019)
Industry Groups:
- Multiple
Office location for Richard M. Morgan
5755 North Point Parkway, Suite 17
Alpharetta, GA 30022
Phone: 678-720-0750
Selections
13 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2025
