Cameron Kelly spoke on February 6, 2019 at an NBI webcast, Estate Planning from A to Z. Cameron presented on “Trusts 101.”
Overview
Are you ready to grow your own successful estate planning practice or looking for a practical refresher? This guide will become your go-to guide. From client intake through will, trust and tax planning, you will receive tips, sample forms and answers to your most pressing questions to help you excel. Gain insight on everyday issues estate planning attorneys face.
Client Screening and Intake – T. James Lee
- Clarifying Goals and Forecasting Needs
- Assessing Current and Future Assets and Debts
- Dealing with Family Dynamics: Past, Present and Future
- What to Look for in Reviewing Existing Estate Plans
- Sample Info Gathering Forms and Checklists
- Determining Your Overall Estate Plan Strategy
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- For an Estate not Subject to Estate Tax
- For an Estate Potentially Subject to Estate Tax
- For an Estate Subject to Estate Tax
Key Elements of Effective Wills – T. James Lee
- Establishing Statutory Framework
- Types of Wills
- Testator’s Competency – Verifying and Documenting
- Beneficiary Designations and Distributions in Retirement Plans and Life Insurance
- Titling Assets
- Sample Will Provisions
- Updating Will Documents
Basic Tax Planning – Cameron R. Kelly
- Estate Tax Update
- Step-Up Basis of Various Assets
- Gift Tax and Exclusions
- Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax
- Planning for the Final Income Tax Return
- Trust Taxation Basics
- Disclaimer Trusts
- Crummey Powers and the IRS
- Typical Creditors and How to Deal with Them
- Simple Tips for Minimizing Tax Burden
- Tax Treatment of Trusts
Documenting Long-Term Care, Incapacity and End-of-Life Decisions – T. James Lee
- Medicaid Planning Overview
- Long-Term Care Options and Planning in a Nutshell
- Special Needs Trusts
- Advance Medical Directives
- Powers of Attorney
- DNR Orders and Organ Donation Considerations
Trusts 101 – Cameron R. Kelly
- Types, Goals and Functions of Trusts
- Major Laws Governing Trust Creation and Administration
- Who are the Main Parties? Their Duties and Responsibilities to a Trust
- Revocable vs. Irrevocable
- Choosing Trust Situs
- Trust Funding Basics
Who is the Fiduciary? – Kelly O. Dancy
- Personal Representatives and Trust Officers: Powers and Duties
- Helping Clients Pick the Fiduciary(ies)
- Your Contact with the Personal Representative
- Trust Protectors and Advisers
- Fiduciary Liability
Ethical Considerations – Kelly O. Dancy
- Defining Who Your Client is from the Start
- Handling Clients with Diminishing Mental Capacity
- Lawyers Acting as Fiduciaries
- Estate Status Updates for Clients – Why it Pays Off and How to do it Efficiently
- Practicing Before the IRS
- Getting Paid: Billable/Non-Billable Hour and Retainer Agreements
- Preventing Unauthorized Practice of Law by Legal Staff
