Addictions and Impaired Clients: Estate and Related Planning Considerations

Drug use is on the rise in this country and 23.5 million Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs. That’s approximately one in every 10 Americans over the age of 12. No estate, tax or financial planner can assume that a significant number of client families are not affected (they are). The reality is that the practitioner must understand the commonality of these issues and guide clients, draft documents, and administer estate plans, trusts and financial plans accordingly. And consider that this is only one of the many addictive behaviors that may affect planning. This webinar will provide an overview of the impact of addictions and discuss in specific and practical detail steps practitioners can take to address these issues in their practices. Learn how to ask questions of clients to identify whether addiction issues may exist. Learn and identify signs of addiction in clients, fiduciaries, beneficiaries and others. Understand the resources available to you to assist in addressing the problems. Learn how to take steps, from a legal and planning perspective, to protect family members and other beneficiaries from further harm, depleting family assets, and further damage to the whole “family” unit (however the client may choose to define that term).

*There are no professional advancement credits (CPE, CLE, etc.) offered for viewing this webinar.

Speakers: Amanda Koplin, LPC; Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. and Jonathan G. Blattmachr, Esq.

Sponsor: Peak Trust Company and Interactive Legal