In 1996, he decided to cease performing "compliance work," which consists of preparing corporate and personal income tax returns, financial statements, bookkeeping and general payroll accounting, and to focus instead on financial planning and estate planning matters. In 1997, Lane agreed to form a new accounting firm with David Middleton. The new firm was known as Lane, Middleton & Co., L.L.C. (LMC), but was owned entirely by Middleton.