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Family Office
ULTRA HIGH NET WORTH TAX PLANNING
Clients $100 Million – $500 Million
Personalized Legal, Financial, and Administrative Guidance for High-Net-Worth Families
“Over the years we have implemented plans for our ultra high net worth clients that will save their families hundreds of millions of dollars in Estate Taxes when they die using the most cutting edge strategies available – we also have many strategies that will save business owners millions of dollars in capital gains when they sell their company in the future.”
– Matt Dana, Founder
Explore the exclusive world of ultra-high-end yachting and lifestyle management with Matt Dana of Dana Whiting Law and special guests Matthew and Thomas Loccastro.
Family Office Partners
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We work with many Ultra high net worth clients
- $250+ Million Net Worth
- 9
- $100-250 Million Net Worth
- 45
- $50–100 Million Net Worth
- 59
- $20–50 Million Net Worth
- 140
- Large Farmers in Yuma and Casa Grande
- 5
- Owners of Professional Sports Franchises
- 3
- CEOs of Publicly Traded Companies
- 7
- Former NBA Stars
- 2
Building Trust for Over 40 Years
With decades of experience and top-tier legal education, we’ve earned the trust of our clients—and their referrals. That’s why we’re recognized as Arizona’s premier estate planning firm.
"I have a very complex estate with some unique challenges. Matt and Trevor came up with many creative ideas for me to choose from which resulted in tremendous tax savings. I highly recommend them for estate tax planning."
"Matt, Trevor and team are knowledgeable on every aspect of Estate Planning. They are always current with the latest developments and use their skills to tailor an estate plan that fits your individual needs and desires."
"I am a retired 20-year partner from one of the big 4 international CPA firms. Even with my credentials and my worldwide fortune 500 experience in the financial sector, I chose Dana Whiting Law to help with my Estate Planning needs. Matt has the ability to explain complicated Tax Strategies in simple terms to understand, and he is fun to listen to. Also meeting in his Sedona Office was very convenient."
”Matt & Todd, Thank you both for explaining and making our family feel so good about where we are. Very professional and well done!!…. I got a bit choked up there because as you said Matt, we are truly blessed and it’s hard for me to look at my family and explain what that means to us…..Thanks again!… P.S. Todd, you really have done a wonderful job with all of this!!!"
"I've used Matt and Trevor for several years now for estate planning and wealth transfer. They have the gift of domain expertise coupled with ability to explain complex rules and concepts in an understandable manner."
Personalized Legal, Financial, and Administrative Guidance for Ultra High-Net-Worth Families
At Dana Whiting Law, we understand that wealth is more than just numbers—it’s legacy, responsibility, and future vision. Our Family Office Services are designed to serve ultra high-net-worth individuals, families, and closely held businesses in the Southwest and around the Country, who seek comprehensive, private, and strategic support for managing their legal, financial, and personal affairs under one roof. Whether you’re navigating generational wealth transfers, philanthropic planning, tax strategy, or succession planning, our team provides trusted, discreet, and expert guidance at every step.
Why Choose Dana Whiting Law for Family Office Services?
Scottsdale’s Trusted Legal Advisors for Ultra High-Net-Worth Families
- Boutique-level personalization: We take time to know you, your family, and your values. Our services are never one-size-fits-all.
- Discreet and relationship-based: Our clients trust us not just for legal insight, but for our integrity and long-term relationships.
- Broad Range: We have attorneys with extensive financial expertise, including MBAs, CLU designations, and strong business backgrounds. Matt Dana worked at Northwestern Mutual Life while attending law school and holds both the CLU and Chartered Financial Consultant designations. He also held a Series 7 license and passed the CPA exam while in law school, maintaining CPA status for over 40 years alongside his legal practice. Trevor Whiting worked for Deloitte while completing law school and also holds an MBA, adding to his well-rounded financial and legal background.
- Family experience: With over 70 years of combined legal experience, our three partners, Matt Dana, Trevor Whiting, and Todd Smith, are seasoned professionals. They bring deep expertise in estate planning, business law, tax strategy, and trust administration.
- Integrated approach: We work seamlessly with your team of advisors or help you build one that aligns with your goals.
Based in Scottsdale, Arizona:
While our office is located in Scottsdale, we proudly serve clients throughout the Southwest and US.
What is a Family Office?
A family office is a centralized service model that provides ultra high-net-worth families with tax and legal coordination, holistic wealth management, and accounting and administrative support tailored to their specific needs. These are the “core” family office services. Some Family Offices will also want to add banking, insurance, real estate management, and a host of other professional services. The wealthiest families in America establish their own single-family office with in-house legal, tax, and accounting, and other professional staff that coordinates all of the family office services. It generally doesn’t make sense to establish a “single family office” with a net worth less than $200 million.
Families with a net worth of $50 million or more can establish a “multi-family office”, needing only one professional firm to “quarterback” the family office services offered by all of the desired components of their family office. Dana Whiting Law can serve as that quarterback and offers the tax and legal component. DWL can also provide, if the client desires, the wealth management component, or we can work with your existing wealth management team. Dana Whiting Law has relationships with other professionals who can provide other professional services that the family may require.
Our Scottsdale-based family office solutions are structured to help you manage, grow, and preserve your wealth while aligning with your family’s long-term goals, values, and lifestyle.
What Family Office Services Do We Offer at Dana Whiting Law?
We offer a wide range of services to help families simplify their financial and legal landscape, minimize risk, and protect their legacy.
1. Estate Planning & Asset Protection
We believe that both Estate Planning and Asset Protection Planning are the foundation for protecting what you’ve built. That is why we believe that we should be the “quarterback” of your family office. Dana Whiting Law has decades of experience crafting comprehensive ultra high-net-worth estate plans, using a variety of strategies. We believe that Estate Planning should be “Lawyer Led” and not led by financial advisors using online estate planning platforms.
2. Concierge-Level Legal Coordination
As the quarterback of your family office, we become your personal “general counsel” for all legal matters. Having practiced law in Arizona for over 40 years and having worked for a national law firm, we have developed significant relationships with the best lawyers in Arizona and throughout the United States. Dana Whiting Law becomes your legal advisor for any legal issue you or your family members may encounter. We can also handle the most delicate legal matters discreetly.
We act as your family’s personal legal counsel and trusted advisor. Our office becomes your one-stop contact for:
- Reviewing third-party contracts (real estate, business, lending)
- Coordinating with CPAs, financial advisors, bankers, and insurance providers
- Preparing legal documents for family members
- Handling sensitive legal matters discreetly
- Annual reviews to adjust for life and law changes
Think of us as your family’s in-house legal team—without the in-house overhead.
3. Business Planning & Succession
Many of our clients are business owners or have family-held companies that require careful stewardship. Our family office services include:
- Entity formation and restructuring (LLCs, S-Corps, partnerships)
- Buy-sell agreements
- Exit strategy development
- Key employee compensation planning
- Inter-generational business transition planning
- Mergers and acquisitions legal support
Whether you’re scaling, selling, or passing on your business, we ensure a legal roadmap that supports growth and continuity.
4. Tax Strategy and Coordination
Taxes are one of the largest threats to preserving wealth. Our team works proactively to reduce your tax exposure:
- Federal and Arizona income tax planning
- Estate and gift tax optimization
- Generation-skipping transfer tax planning
- Capital gains and charitable deduction strategies
- International Estate Planning
- Coordination with CPAs and financial advisors for annual reviews
- Strategic entity placement (e.g., real estate in trusts or LLCs)
We work year-round—not just in April—to help ensure your tax plan is responsive to changes in legislation, income streams, or family goals.
5. Philanthropy and Charitable Giving
Many families seek to give back through charitable efforts. We help you plan and structure your giving for maximum impact and tax advantage:
- Private foundation formation and administration
- Donor-advised fund (DAF) setup
- Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs)
- Charitable lead trusts (CLTs)
- [Testamentary Charitable lead trusts] (link to “Washing Machine” video)
- Strategic giving plans aligned with your family’s values
With Dana Whiting Law, your philanthropic goals are met with compliance, creativity, and purpose.
6. Trustee Services
We work very closely with the largest and best corporate trustees in the United States and can make recommendations if a corporate trustee is desirable. In addition, we have a professional relationship with Scottsdale Fiduciary, LLC if the family would rather work with a private fiduciary. And, if you choose to use family members as the trustee or successor trustee, we offer educational and training services for these individual trustees.
Acting as a trustee or fiduciary can be overwhelming without proper support. Dana Whiting Law offers:
- Trustee education and legal support
- Trust administration and compliance
- Fiduciary accounting coordination
- Beneficiary communication
- Probate avoidance planning
If desired, we can also serve as corporate trustees or work alongside existing financial institutions for a seamless process.
7. Family Governance and Legacy Planning
Managing a family’s financial affairs goes hand-in-hand with managing relationships, values, and long-term vision. We provide:
- Family meeting facilitation
- Governance structure design (e.g., family constitutions)
- Inheritance education for younger generations
- Conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms
- Legacy mission statements and shared goal planning
We guide families through sensitive discussions with a neutral, skilled hand, helping to preserve harmony while advancing your shared future.
8. Real Estate and Investment Oversight
We help clients manage complex real estate holdings, both personal and investment-based:
- Title structuring and asset protection
- 1031 exchanges
- Vacation home succession planning
- Commercial real estate acquisitions and sales
- Property entity formation and management
- Due diligence coordination with real estate professionals
Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just beginning to build a property portfolio, we ensure it fits your broader legal and estate strategy.
9. Yacht Services
In the video below, we provide a deep dive into the practicalities and hidden costs of the yachting industry, covering everything from VAT and crew tips to “red box” vs. “green box” spending strategies for estate planning. You will learn how the SYH Club offers a turnkey solution with 30 nights of annual usage, curated global experiences, and a social community of like-minded, high-achieving individuals. Discover how to navigate liability through layered insurance and LLC structures while creating lasting family memories on the water.
Video playback is disabled in this private review.
10. Jet Services
Coming soon.
Who Can Benefit from Family Office Services?
Family office services are ideal for:
- Individuals and families with a net worth of $50 million or more
- Entrepreneurs with complex holdings and succession needs
- Families with multiple real estate properties, business entities, or trust arrangements
- Those navigating generational wealth transfers
- Philanthropists looking to establish foundations or donor-advised funds
- Retirees seeking long-term planning and asset protection
- Professionals with intricate tax exposure across states or internationally
If your financial and legal needs go beyond what your existing lawyer, CPA, and Financial Advisor can provide, or if you are looking for a more coordinated effort among your professionals, then you should call Dana Whiting Law.
Our Process
Our Family Office Service begins with a confidential, in-depth consultation. Here’s what you can expect:
1. Discovery
We learn about your family structure, goals, holdings, and pain points.
2. Assessment
We review your current estate plans, entity structures, and documentation.
3. Recommendations
You receive a detailed roadmap of services tailored to your goals.
4. Implementation
Our team gets to work drafting documents, coordinating advisors, and initiating changes.
5. Ongoing Support
You receive continuous guidance and annual reviews to ensure your plan evolves with you.
Whether you’re just beginning to think about long-term family planning or need to restructure an existing family office, Dana Whiting Law is your trusted partner.
Schedule Your Private Consultation
Managing multi-generational wealth requires more than just financial planning—it demands legal expertise, personal trust, and strategic foresight. At Dana Whiting Law, our Family Office Services are designed to give your family clarity, confidence, and control over your future.
Contact our Scottsdale office today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can build a long-term relationship that protects and empowers your family for generations.