Phone
(407) 428-5152
Fax
(407) 423-1831
Matthew J. Ahearn
ShareholderOffice: Orlando
Mr. Ahearn is Board Certified in both Wills, Trusts & Estates and Tax Law by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization. He has extensive experience in the areas of estate and business succession planning, asset protection planning, charitable planning and planning to minimize or avoid wealth transfer taxes. Mr. Ahearn handles all aspects of probate and trust administrations, including estate and gift tax audits before the Internal Revenue Service. He represents both beneficiaries and fiduciaries in contested matters.
Professional and Civic Activities
- American Bar Association
- Tax Section
- Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
- The Florida Bar
- Tax Section
- Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section
- The Florida Bar Foundation, Inc. - Fellow
- Orange County Bar Association
- Orlando Ballet, 2009-2015
- Board of Directors
- Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair
- Central Florida Estate Planning Council, 2010-present
- President, 2017-2018
- Board Member
- Treasurer
- Florida Tax Institute
- Board Member
Education
- Master of Laws (LL.M) in Taxation: University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, Florida, 1998
- J.D.: Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida, cum laude, 1997
- Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 1993
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Recognition & Awards
- Board Certified in Tax Law by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization
- Board Certified in Wills, Trusts and Estates by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization
- Named an Outstanding Estate Planning & Probate Attorney in Florida Super Lawyers Magazine, 2014-2018
- Martindale-Hubbell: AV Rating
Speaking Engagements
- Sweeping Changes You Need to Know: Impact of The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Estate Planning, Dean Mead Tax Symposium, Orlando, Florida, January 31, 2018
- Top 10 (or so) Mistakes We See in Estate Planning – and Tips to Avoid Them!, Orange County Bar Association, Orlando, FL, November 5, 2015
- A Potpourri of Tax Planning Ideas and Strategies, Orange County Bar Association, Orlando, FL July 22, 2015
- Business Succession Planning for the Next Generation, Orange County Bar Association, Orlando, FL October 30, 2014
- Tax Consequences of Trust & Estate Settlements and Modifications, Orange County Bar Association, Orlando, FL, August 5, 2014
- Estate Planning After the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, Orange County Bar Association, Orlando, FL, March 13, 2013
- The End of the Perfect Storm of Estate Planning is Nearing (maybe!) - Planning for the Remainder of 2012, Orlando, May 23, 2012
- The New Florida Power of Attorney Act, Estate Planning 2011 Florida Legislative Update, Dean Mead Seminar Series, June 21, 2011
Publications
- Transitioning the Family Business: How to Create an Effective Succession Plan, co-authored with Brian Malec, published in i4 Business Magazine, April 2015 edition
- Paradigm Shift in Estate Planning, published in Dean Mead "News & Views" e-Newsletter, February 28, 2013
- The New Florida Power of Attorney Act, Estate Planning 2011 Florida Legislative Update, Dean Mead Seminar Series, June 21, 2011
- The Perfect Storm Provides Opportunity for Transfer Tax Planning, Dean Mead e-Newsletter, March 2009
- Never Say Never – The Estate Tax Will Be Repealed!, Dean Mead e-Newsletter, December 23, 2009
Blog Articles
- 21 Dean Mead Attorneys Recognized as 2018 Florida Super Lawyers
- Orlando to Host “Tax Reform” Seminar on Jan. 31: Sweeping Changes You Need to Know
- Estate Planning Implications Under The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
- Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts Moves Forward in House and Senate
- Senate Releases Chairman’s Mark to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
- House Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Contains Significant Tax Changes Impacting Estate Planning
- 2018 Inflation Adjusted Transfer Tax Exclusions and Exemptions
- Section 2704 Proposed Regulations Withdrawn!
- Matt Ahearn Elected President of the Central Florida Estate Planning Council
- Brad Gould Steps into National Leadership in Tax Law
- IRS Attack on Valuation Discounts Creates Urgency for Transfer Tax Planning Prior to Year-End
- “Pitfalls and Traps to Avoid in Estate Planning” – Seminar on Nov. 5th
- Upcoming Estate Planning Seminar: “A Potpourri of Tax Planning Ideas and Strategies”
- “Transitioning the Family Business” in i4 Business Magazine
- Tax Consequences in a Will Contest: The Story of a Modern Family
- Estate Planning Team Hosts “Asset Protection 2013 Update Seminar” in Orlando and Viera
- What Does the Demise of DOMA Mean for Floridians?
- Estate Planning Department to Host Fall Seminar in Orlando – Asset Protection 2013 Update
- IRS RECOGNIZES ALL SAME SEX MARRIAGES
- Income Tax Planning for Estates, Trusts & Beneficiaries – Seminar Held on June 5, 2013
- Estate Planning Seminar on June 5th: “Income Tax Planning for Estates, Trusts & Beneficiaries”
- Paradigm Shift in Estate Planning
- Annual Exclusion for Gifts Increases to $14,000 in 2013
- The Super Committee Proposal to Reduce $5,000,000 Federal Gift Tax Exemption
- Super Committee Gift Tax Rumor
- Form 8939 and Instructions
- AICPA’s Comments on Notice 2011-66
- Form 8939 Filing Deadline Extended
- Revenue Procedure 2011-41: Safe Harbor Guidance for 2010 Decedents Part 1 – Application of Section 1022
- Form 8939 Notice and Guidance Concerning Transfer Certificates and the Section 645 Election
- Form 8939 Guidance Concerning the Generation-Skipping Transfer (GST) Tax
- Form 8939 Guidance Concerning Section 1022 Election and Filing Requirements
- Form 8939 Notice and Guidance
- 2011 Florida Legislative Update Seminar – Materials
- Final Regulations Regarding Extensions of Time for Pass-Through Entities to File Returns
- Estate Planning Seminar: 2011 Florida Legislative Update – The New Florida Power of Attorney Act
- Florida’s Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act
- 2011 Florida Legislative Update Seminar
- IRS Publication 4895
- This Week’s Reading
- Baccei v. U.S.: Taxpayer Cannot Avoid Late Payment Penalty
- This Week’s Reading
- This Week’s Reading
- This Week’s Reading
- This Week’s Reading
- Portability of Estate Tax Exemptions: General Rules
- Never Say Never – The Estate Tax Will Be Repealed!
- The Perfect Storm Provides Opportunity for Transfer Tax Planning
