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A private family trust company (PTC) often serves as an excellent governance framework and corporate structure for a virtual family office (VFO) by providing integrated, holistic oversight of fiduciary, investment, tax, philanthropic, governance, and other activity. Learn more about how and why families choose to form a VFO around their PTC, the co...

Often, families execute wealth transfer planning strategies without fully considering what wealth and family legacy means to them—particularly the importance of defining and sharing their associated social, economic, and philanthropic values. In this interview, two advisors examine the value of family education and the critical role advisors play i...

Flexible trust planning has never been more important as a result of current and future health, political, economic, and tax uncertainty. Modern directed trusts are one of the best vehicles to provide wealth preservation along with flexibility intergenerationally. Whether the federal estate, gift and GST Tax exemptions are high, low or repealed alt...

Also known as a family trust company, a private trust company (PTC) is an entity that allows families to unbundle fiduciary services in furtherance of family and financial goals. In this overview and primer, learn more about the elements of the PTC structure, board roles and responsibilities, and when it makes sense to form a PTC.

When it comes to effectively transferring assets, the Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRAT) is a popular estate planning strategy that can reduce the tax liability. In this interview, three attorneys discuss the benefits of GRAT and the securities law case, Donoghue v. Smith, involving that strategy.

Irrevocable trusts are a great way to minimize estate taxes and keep more of your wealth in the family, but they require you to permanently give up ownership and control of the assets you place in them. For people who are hesitant about the irrevocable aspect of the trust, there is the spousal lifetime access trusts, or SLAT, that can be an excelle...

Rather than viewing trusts as a mechanism to protect beneficiaries from the dangers of wealth, what if trusts were viewed as vehicles to “ignite a fire” within the next generation? Imagine a trust structure that is designed to cultivate a spirit of entrepreneurialism by making beneficiaries active participants rather than passive recipients of thei...

Wealth transfer planning is a dynamic process influenced by evolving tax laws, economic shifts, and family priorities. This session explores key decision points through the lens of past, present, and future considerations, helping you anticipate possible changes like the estate tax exemption sunsetting at the end of the 2025. We’ll examine the s...

For many art collectors, the allure of acquiring and displaying art often overshadows the effort required to manage it properly and plan for its eventual disposition. After all, upon death, you can’t take it with you. Estate planning for art collectors involves navigating a complex landscape of valuation, tax, and management issues. Without a strat...

The ultra-wealth business continues to perform well, but not without some growing pains. While advisors to families of wealth benefited from a strong rebound in the markets during 2020, for some firms costs are rising faster than revenue. Now that we are in the midst of a receding pandemic, what does this look back on 2020 tell us about how prepare...

40% of families now gift their assets through trusts compared to 12.5% in 1995. Directed trusts, special purpose entities, trust protector companies, and regulated and unregulated private trust companies have all played integral roles in the growing popularity of trusts. This session focused on the important reasons families are choosing these popu...

As part of our commitment to help the community of those who serve Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW), we recently completed our annual Family Wealth Advisor Survey (FWAS). The 146 respondents to our most recent survey shared valuable insights into the health of their businesses, the challenges they are facing, and what they are doing to build and stre...

As a subset of estate planning, asset protection is an important part of a family office’s risk management strategy. In this video, Chris Mays and Craig Redler discuss various strategies for asset protection, particularly for individuals and businesses facing potential legal claims and financial risks. They explore different structures such as trus...

FOX’s annual estate planning webcast will lead participants through a thoughtful discussion of some of the most important topics and developments that were covered at the 55th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning. Key legislative, regulatory, and case law updates impacting ultra-high net worth families and their family offices will be cov...

The family enterprise provides a strategic framework for families to stay together and accomplish the shared goals of growing wealth and managing risks through the generations. Within the enterprise, the Private Trust Company (the PTC) provides a beneficial mechanism to support the enterprise and the family’s growth and development. In addition to ...