Selling a business can fundamentally transform a founder’s financial life in a matter of months. Wealth that was once concentrated in a privately held company may suddenly exist as cash, marketable securities, real estate, private investments, or other assets, and that shift often creates a whole new set of estate planning priorities. Before an exit, […]
Which Trusts Should You Consider After Selling a Business? Read More »
A year ago, the year-end advice for wealthy families was urgent. Under the law at the time, the federal estate and gift tax exemption was scheduled to drop to roughly half its level on January 1, 2026, and families were told to use it before it disappeared. That cut never happened. The One Big Beautiful
The 2027 Estate and Gift Tax Exemption: What to Do Before December 31 Read More »
Most business founders never get a moment’s rest, and the pace only accelerates when it comes time for a sale. In the rush up to the transaction, attorneys are reviewing deal documents behind the scenes, accountants are modeling tax consequences, financial advisors are preparing for the proceeds, and management teams are thinking about what comes
Estate Planning Before Selling a Business: A Guide for Founders Read More »
Selling a business, completing an acquisition, receiving a major distribution, or experiencing another significant liquidity event can change your financial picture almost overnight. Your estate plan, however, does not automatically change with it. To ensure that your wishes remain accurately reflected in your estate planning documents, it’s critical to undergo a comprehensive estate plan review
How Should Your Estate Plan Change After Selling a Business? Read More »
One of the greatest advantages of a well-designed trust is that it doesn’t stop working when life changes unexpectedly. Whether an individual becomes incapacitated or passes away, a properly structured trust allows the management of assets to continue with minimal disruption. Instead of leaving family members to navigate court proceedings or uncertainty, the trust provides
How Trust Administration Works After Death or Incapacity Read More »
For ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families, trusts are often among the most valuable tools in an estate plan. They can help preserve wealth, facilitate business succession, protect assets, provide for future generations, and support long-term tax planning. However, there are several types of trust accounts and not all function the same way. Understanding the differences and how
Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts for UHNW Families Read More »
Creating a trust is often one of the most important steps in an ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) estate plan. Trusts can provide powerful benefits, including wealth transfer, asset protection, tax planning, privacy, and long-term family governance. But creating a trust document is only part of the process. There’s an essential “step two” required to ensure the trust
What Does It Mean to Fund a Trust? Read More »
For many high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families, trusts are an essential part of a broader estate planning strategy. They can help preserve wealth, manage assets across generations, provide protections for beneficiaries, and support long-term family goals. There are several types of trust accounts, and each becomes active in different ways, depending not only on the
When Does a Trust Become “Active”? Read More »
Many people think of estate planning as a one-time project. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Life changes. Families grow. Assets increase or decrease in value. Tax laws evolve. As a result, an estate plan that was golden five years ago may no longer align with your priorities today. To ensure that your legacy is properly preserved
How Often Should Estate Planning Documents Be Updated? Read More »
Estate planning is rarely a one-time event. Families grow. Assets change. Businesses are acquired or sold. Tax laws evolve. As a result, many clients eventually need to revise their estate planning documents after they have been signed. When they do, the question of cost enters the picture. Will those revisions require additional legal fees, or
Are Revisions to Estate Planning Documents an Additional Cost? Read More »
