Darren R. Carlson

Darren Carlson is an accomplished and dedicated attorney in Omaha, Nebraska, and a partner with the firm Carlson & Blakeman. In 1985, Darren graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Agricultural Business. He went on to attend Creighton University School of Law, obtaining his law degree and graduating magna cum laude in 1988. During his time in law school, Darren was a member of the Creighton Law Review editorial staff from 1986 to 1988, where he wrote “Bankruptcy: Restrictions of Abandonment of Burdensome Property.”

Sunday World-Herald Story On Attorney Darren Carlson

Areas of Practice

Over the course of his over 31-year legal career, Darren has maintained a reputation for true professional excellence in the areas of estate planning, elder law, agricultural law, corporate law, and business transactions. He has frequently lectured on a broad range of subject matters pertaining to his legal practice. His work includes assisting clients in the establishment of estate plans, medical planning, nonprofit foundations, and corporations. He has published and lectured on “Monetized Installment Sales” as a tax strategy under Section 453 to defer the income taxes on sales of farmland and farm commodities.

Bar Admissions

• Nebraska, 1988
• Iowa, 1990
• United States District Court, District of Nebraska, 1988

Education

• J.D., Magna Cum Laude, American Jurisprudence Award for Real Estate Planning
  • Creighton University School of Law- College, Omaha, NE - 1988
• B.S., Agricultural Business
  • Iowa State University- College, Ames, IA - 1985

Practice Areas

• Estate Planning
• Elder Law
• Business Planning
• Real Estate Law
• Monetized Installment Sales

Published Author

Darren is recognizable after a series of cancer surgeries that left him with his notable appearance - his infamous black eye patch. He also combined his humor and experience to introduce readers to estate planning with nostalgia from the 1960’s TV sitcoms to make estate planning fun and informative in 2014 when he authored Your 1960’s TV Guide to Estate Planning.

Community Involvement

He has served on the boards for a number of local charities. Darren’s extensive volunteer work includes serving as secretary/treasurer of the Miracle Hills Optimist Club, of which he is a longstanding member since 1990. Darren has been a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for over 24 years and has served on its board of trustees. He also served the Millard Schools Education Foundation, Inc. from 2004 to 2010, including two terms as its president. He has served the Omaha Home for Boys since 2002-2017 including roles as trustee, director, Board Secretary, and Board Chairman. During his free time, Darren loves traveling, jogging, and spending time with his wife, Tammy, and their two adult children—Alex and Hannah.

Publications

• Monetized Installment Sales
• Your 1960’s TV Guide to Estate Planning
• Estate Planning Solutions for Farmers
• The History of the Estate Taxes
• Living Trusts – The Preferred Estate Plan
• The Big 4: Four Common Estate Planning Mistakes
• Wills v. Trusts: What’s Right for You?
• Estate Planning Basics
• Use of the Charitable Reminder Trust in Estate Plans
• Bankruptcy: Restrictions on Abandonment of Burdensome Property, Creighton Law Review, Volume 20, 1987
• How Will You Pay for Nursing Home Care?
• Representative Clients
• Sanitary & Improvement District #177
• Additional Businesses
• Federal estate tax preparation
• Federal gift tax preparation
• Nebraska Inheritance tax preparation
• Classes & Seminars
• “Fundamentals of Non-Profit Governance”, May 23, 2017, National Business Institute
  • Lecturer
• “Preparing Common Business Contracts”, May 8, 2013, National Business Institute
  • Lecturer
• Estate Planning Solutions for Farmers
  • Lecturer
• The History of the Estate Taxes
  • Lecturer
• Living Trusts – The Preferred Estate Plan
  • Lecturer
• The Big 4: Four Common Estate Planning Mistakes
  • Lecturer
• Wills v. Trusts – What’s Right for You
  • Lecturer
• Estate Planning Basics
  • Lecturer
• Use of the Charitable Reminder Trust in Estate Plans
  • Lecturer
• Estate & Business Planning for Farmers
  • Nebraska Business Institute (NBI), 2012
• Drafting Business Contracts
  • Nebraska Business Institute (NBI), 2013

Volunteer Work

• Omaha Home for Boys (2006-2016) - Board Chairman
• Tangier Shrine - Investment Committee
• Millard Public Schools Foundation - Past President (Two terms)
• Tangier Shrine Clowns - Past President and Honorary Member
• St. Luke United Methodist Church - Past Trustee, Teen Center Board Member, and Current Church Member
• Miracle Hills Optimist Club - Past President and Current Member