Search Results

In nearly every discussion about estate planning, important questions and issues arise. If couples arrive in their attorney’s office having already thought about these issues—including assessing the level of financial management skills their beneficiaries should possess, how to communicate to their children about their hopes and expectations about ...

The Board of Directors plays a pivotal role in the effective governance of any organization, including the private family trust company. Board members fulfill their roles and responsibilities, in part, by holding regular meetings that utilize a comprehensive agenda. One vital tool for an effective Board meeting is the meeting agenda. Here, ten sugg...

A private family trust company (PFTC) provides families with intergenerational governance over family assets and a private forum for decision-making. Without proper management, however, a PFTC can be exposed to costly litigation and the potential for significant liability. By developing and implementing policies that take into account the expertise...

Originating in English common law, trusts have been used for centuries to manage holdings of the wealthy. Even though trusts are quite common, many people may find them hard to understand. Having an introduction to the trust basics is a good place to begin and learn how trusts are used in wealth management plans to help provide financial support fo...

A Dynasty Trust is often referred to as a family bank since it serves as a primary resource for the funding of the needs of a family's beneficiaries in successive generations. Given the unsteady economic times and tax uncertainty, there is no better time than now for wealthy families to establish a Dynasty Trust to achieve optimum results...

Taking affirmative steps to move one’s property and connections out of their old home is critical to avoiding undesired consequences, such as dual domicile treatment or taxation by another state. This checklist identifies primary and secondary factors that should be considered when establishing domicile in a new state for income tax purposes.

A solid governance structure is critical to any private trust company’s long-term success. Through a thoughtful review that includes useful diagrams and outlines, learn the common elements of the PTC structure; the Board role and responsibilities; the Board attributes, composition, selection process, and succession planning; and addi...

Once the private trust company’s (PTC) governance structure is designed, the foundational operations and administration elements will be central to bringing the PTC to life. Three key elements toward that end include reducing PTC complexity through documentation and recordkeeping; maintaining the PTC through communications and compliance;...

Lawmakers have passed the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) to help in the ongoing fight against fraud, corruption, terrorism financing, and money laundering. The CTA contains significant new federal reporting obligations, and it may have an especially onerous impact on estate planning for those who accomplish their planning goals through the u...

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the federal estate tax exemption was temporarily doubled through December 31, 2025. Effective January 1, 2026, the exemption limits are scheduled to be reduced by half, adjusted for inflation. Charting the change and inflation adjustment, the projected limits are provided for your tax and estate plannin...

This guidebook takes a critical look at significant challenges and opportunities in family office operations and offers comprehensive guidance with a future-focused lens. Gain expert insight, strategies, and best practices on the top-of-mind issues that include strengthening your cybersecurity, leveraging your technology, the role of the chief inve...

Families with the means and flexibility to choose where they live, particularly those anticipating a liquidity event or a life change such as retirement may be looking for a more tax advantageous place to call home. Changing your tax residency has many potential positives, but it’s not as simple as filing a change of address with the U.S Postal Ser...

Before changing your residency to a new state for income tax purposes, consider the items outlined in this checklist. For additional insights, read more on how to successfully change your tax residency.

There are various laws and issues to take into account when considering a state in which to form a Private Trust Company, including requirements around annual reporting, residency of personnel, and capital requirements. This report provides a side-by-side comparison of state PTC laws across key states: Ohio, Florida, Texas, and Tennessee.

Sometimes, portfolios are so focused on returns that tax efficiency gets pushed to the back burner. But proposed changes to tax law under the Biden administration—and the related debates—have brought renewed focus to the tax impact of portfolio decisions. That makes now a good time to review some of key techniques to help manage your investment tax...