Cathy L. Knapp

A partner in the firm and a Best Lawyers® honoree, Cathy Knapp practices  in the areas of estate planning, planning for closely held businesses and tax-exempt organizations, and probate and trust administration.

Cathy's practice focuses on representing:

• individuals and families in structuring trusts, LLCs, limited liability partnerships and other entities to maximize the transfer of property to the next generation
  

• beneficiaries and individual fiduciaries in probate and trust administration matters
  

• clients in the formation of charitable trusts and other charitable entities.
  

Practice Areas

Estate Planning

Business Planning

Probate and Trust Administration

Professional Certifications

Certified Public Accountant, Arizona, 1981

Honors & Awards

The Best Lawyers in America^® (Trusts and Estates), 2022-present

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association: Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law; Section of Taxation

State Bar of Arizona

West Virginia State Bar

Maricopa County Bar Association

Selected Presentations and Publications

“Preparing for the Future: Wills & Trusts” (presenter), Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, April 2016

“An Overview of the Impact on Transfer Taxes and Basic Income Tax Provisions Under the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010” (author), State Bar of Arizona Tax Law Section Newsletter, May 2011

“Gift Tax Planning” (instructor), National Business Institute, February 2011

“Recent Estate Tax Cases Involving Family Limited Partnerships” (presenter), Prescott Estate Planning Council, April 2010

“Estate Tax Repeal: Advising Clients in Uncertain Times” (presenter), Maricopa County Bar Association Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section, February 2010

Court Admissions

U.S. Tax Court, 1988

U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1980

Arizona, 1980

West Virginia, 1977

Education

M.S. Taxation, Golden Gate University, 1987

J.D., West Virginia University, 1977

B.A., cum laude, University of Cincinnati, 1974

Community Activities

Arizona Humane Society: Member, Planned Giving Committee; pro bono legal service

Birthplace

Huntington, West Virginia