Spousal lifetime access trusts (“SLATs”) planning can provide tremendous planning benefits for many married clients. They may well be the most popular technique to plan for married clients (and others) in 2020. Every practitioner needs to be comfortable and knowledgeable of SLAT planning and drafting. With proper tailoring for the current environment, a useful default…
Using Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts Speakers: By: Jonathan Blattmachr, Esq. and Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. Why SLATs are such a critical planning tool in mid-2020? What is a SLAT? How should a SLAT be structure? What state law should be used? Should one or both spouses create SLATs? Technical issues to consider? How to avoid…
Speakers Jonathan Blattmachr, Esq. and Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. What is the Secure Act and how did it affect designation of beneficiaries for retirement plans and IRAs? Elimination of the lifetime stretch (payout) of IRA benefits for most beneficiaries. Exceptions for Eligible Designated Beneficiaries (“EDBs”). Surviving spouses. Disabled /chronically ill beneficiaries. Minor beneficiaries. Beneficiaries not…
WealthManagement.com Jan 18, 2019 Thomas Tietz Thomas A. Tietz, an associate in the Law Firm of Martin M. Shenkman, P.C., sat in on Carlyn McCaffrey’s presentation at the 2019 Heckerling conference, “Decisions and Revisions Which a Minute Will Reverse- How the 2017 Tax Act Changed the Tax Consequences of Marriage and Divorce” and graciously agreed…
Trusts are one of the most powerful tools for planning to minimize the risk to assets in a future divorce. However, in order to achieve optimal results for clients, trusts must be drafted and administered in a manner that provides protection. Traditional trust drafting often falls far short of providing the safeguards clients want. What…
How the American family has changed. The “typical family” has changed, so typical tools that we as estate planners won’t accomplish the goals. Understanding that how wealth flows through a family needs to reflect most efficient tax path, but also the most thoughtful path for the transmission of wealth. The best result is a collaborative…
Reprinted from Estate Planning Review – The Journal November 20, 2018 A 35 page review of income tax, financial and estate planning and other practical ideas on a wide range of topics: business tax planning, 199A, life insurance, deductions, education and disability planning, retirement planning, practice management and estate planning. This special report is from…
If you have irrevocable trusts you created, or a family member created for you, what steps might you consider taking to shore them up to protect the assets from a future divorce?