Rutledge|Aitken was formed out of a deep personal commitment to quality, integrity and value. We have limited our practice areas to ensure that our clients receive nothing less than excellence.  Jim Rutledge and George Aitken are both graduates of the University of Maryland School of Law, receiving top academic honors by being inducted into the Order of the Coif (top 10%).  With decades of experience and having worked in large law firms, Jim and George serve as personal attorneys to business owners, executives, professionals, working families, as well as for-profit and non-profit organizations.  Our ties to the community run deep, and we are committed to providing the highest caliber of legal services here in central Maryland.

Wills  Trusts  Estate Planning Probate Estate & Trust Administration  Farming & Agriculture Preservation Real Estate Small Business  Taxation  IRS Representation Charitable Giving Family Foundations Tax Controversies

At Rutledge|Aitken we represent clients in all of central Maryland and the surrounding areas.  Serving many clients who choose to make the short and pleasant drive to Jarrettsville (just 25 minutes from Towson and the Beltway), our clients enjoy the personal attention, convenience and less formal atmosphere that our office provides.

Will, Trusts & Estate Planning

One of the most important decisions facing a family is planning for the transfer of wealth to the next generation with a minimum tax burden and maximum personal enrichment for the family. We are committed to understanding each client’s unique challenges, needs and objectives, and implementing a planning solution that addresses each of them, while incorporating the best tax-planning opportunities. Careful consideration is given to the seamless transition of the closely-held business, uninterrupted access to income, and the preservation and management of assets for children, grandchildren and future generations. The depth of our experience has helped business owners, executives, physicians and other individuals create the necessary structure to implement their goals

Probate, Estate & Trust Administration

The complexities surrounding the maze of rules, regulations and laws regarding the administration of trust funds and decedent’s estates can be daunting. Adding the compliance requirements of federal and state income and estate taxes makes the challenge that much more formidable. We help our clients overcome these challenges by providing experience suited to each client’s unique needs and objectives. Often, we serve alone or alongside family members as personal representatives of decedents’ estates and trustees of trusts, and complete all the tasks of administration, such as marshaling assets, court filings, periodic accountings, tax analysis and return preparation, disbursements and distribution of funds. Equally often, we assist with these tasks, but do not serve as a personal representative or trustee. Our experience in these matters, coupled with our experience with the local courts and tax authorities, are focused to streamline and simplify the estate and trust administration process for our clients.

Real Estate & Small Business

The family farm, your home and your business properties are very special assets that deserve special care and attention. Likewise, your closely-held business demands the highest standard of care and attention to detail. We have assisted numerous clients with their real estate needs, including purchases & sales, boundary disputes, agricultural preservation, easements, generational succession, life estates, partition actions and like-kind exchanges. It is always our goal to give our clients the highest level of representation to meet their needs and expectations.

Taxation, Tax Controversies & IRS Representation

Working independently, or in conjunction with your accountant, we assist our individual clients with tax planning, tax return preparation and tax controversies. We represent clients before Federal and local taxing authorities with claims for refunds, audits, liens, levies, garnishments, payment plans and offers in compromise. For complex planning matters, we prepare private letter ruling requests for our clients to avoid tax controversies in advance. We have implemented strategies to minimize or defer the payment of taxes, particularly involving real estate transaction. We strive to reduce the heavy burden of tax issues to manageable solutions that give our clients peace of mind.

Charitable Giving & Family Foundations

Charitable planning can quickly become complex and highly technical when the tax and financial aspects of planned giving are fully explored. When advising individuals and families, we seek to simplify these complexities and options, and establish a plan that integrates our client’s core values, interests and philanthropic priorities, while maximizing the tax benefits to them. With the plan established, we regularly assist with its implementation through the preparation of the necessary instruments and tax filings. From securing the tax-exempt status for the newly created family private foundation to assisting the established charitable organization with its tax and legal issue, we strive to implement innovative, practical and well-tailored solutions to meet the objectives of our clients.