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My thoughts are, first who was the executor for the estate, because this looks like a big mess with one legal misfire after another. Your client needs competent legal advice,because whoever the executor was sure didn't have any!

If I follow, your client is an heir. The value of the estate seems to have been set. Since then, the estate value has dropped. Your client likely needs legal counsel. If you client is an executor/administrator, they may be liable for not managing the estate in the best interests of the estate. If your client is simply an heir, they may want to pursue action against those managing the estate, even before settlement. With the given scenario, the estate's goodwill value drops daily, the longer the former employee has no "competition" for the existing clients (assuming as written, the remaining employees are not really competing). If the current value of the business is truly just sale of equipment, then whomever is allowing the business to continue accruing salary and other expenses is clearly not acting in the best interests of the estate. (Makes me wonder if the aunt is running the estate, as she is the only one who seems to be benefiting from the "business".) On the other hand, if the restructure was some form of the executor/admin "selling" the business, then there are a larger number of worms to deal with, especially if your client is one of or the only buyer. --- I would not touch any part of this estate process at all. I would refer to a probate/estate attorney, who also has probate/estate expert accountant/CPA/EA's on staff. If your client has already taken on former estate assets or liability in some form, then maybe deal with that on its face, but only if your client is accepting what they have done or allowed to be done, and is not interested in getting a second opinion (which seems not to be the case).

In that situation, case law would say that goodwill was personal vs business and died with the owner, unless there were some key employees under contract and noncompete agreement. Suppose it could have come from long term construction contracts, if they were rock solid; not likely. A partnership or corporation with ownership going to heirs? The appraisal included date of death goodwill on a sole proprietor's construction business? Out of curiosity, I would ask for a copy of it to see what method was used to make the business valuation. That does not sound right, have you talked to the accountant and asked why a second restructure is needed? At this point what does your client have ownership in? Shares in a worthless partnership or corporation created by the estate? Ownership in equipment? Stolen from the estate?

That sounds about right. I bought it at $940/year (14 months?) to lock in my price under a promotion. Now I have to learn more about using it, but I get a phone call from a real person to walk me through it. If it does all the things I saw in the demo, I'll drop my portal. I am excited about its features and have taken a few tax classes from Knox this year (and listened to a few of his sermons).

After the free month I understand it is $99/month for 2 users.

I would resend my prior emails to the client. If some or all of my client communication had been via telephone, I'd email a list of dates we talked via telephone "as a reminder of what he already knows." In a separate email, I'd suggest client call the telephone number on his latest IRS notice to hear the IRS response for himself. If I received any further requests from client, I'd call my E&O carrier to ask what they want me to do. I would almost certainly fire the client, but would consider the timing so it doesn't appear as retaliation for his threats or for a lawsuit if it happens. In normal times, I would say wait until the amendment is processed, but that could be after next tax season, so no to that.

Knox Wimberly, a VA tax preparer/instructor/security guru/Methodist minister bought and renovated Taxaroo communication software that has everything in one place -- from text to video chat -- with outstanding security. Check out a demo or try it out for a month for $1: Taxaroo.com

Gee, I wonder when the IRS might impose this upon themselves. The 12th of Never. No kidding, retirement is looking better and better.

i have a hard time dealing with people who give me whatever information suits them the best at the time. Facts don't change if the times don't.

This might help. https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/win-10-windoows-file-explorer-does-not-display-network-computers/ http://eileenslounge.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=35529