Federal Tax Update for Estate and Trust Practitioners
Get the latest on what estate lawyers need to know about federal taxation. Join Prof. Samuel A. Donaldson as he discusses the federal income and transfer tax landscape as it pertains to trusts and estates.
This session includes:
- A recap of recent legislation
- A discussion of possible upcoming legislation
- Analysis of other key developments
Unwinding Estate Plans
Does that estate plan drafted years ago still hold up?
An estate plan from ten years ago may look good, but frequently circumstances have changed since that plan was written.
Join Prof. Samuel A. Donaldson as he goes over several strategies to “unwind” one or more of the techniques implemented as part of a prior estate plan.
Estate Planning for Digital Assets
A lot has happened regarding digital assets lately. Are you prepared to handle them in your clients’ estate plans?
This session discusses digital assets, what they are, and how to include them in your estate planning. The program will analyze the federal law impacting digital assets and closely examine Pennsylvania’s recently enacted Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA).
Interviewing Estate Planning Clients
Effective communication is the bedrock of a trusts and estates practice. Gathering essential information, accurately documenting intent, and inspiring trust are essential. Interviews with estate planning clients require lawyers not only to extract a large amount of information, but also to do so while radiating empathy, warmth, and humanity.
Lawyers receive little or no training in law school how to interview clients effectively. This session offers guidance on best practices for interviewing estate planning clients. Get practical tips and strategies you can use in your practice, while exploring several vignettes addressing various issues the estate planning attorney must navigate.
Opinion Testimony in Estate and Trust Matters
Opinion testimony and expert witnesses are frequently needed in cases involving estates and trusts. The Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence pertaining to expert testimony constitute exceptions to the general rule that a witness’s testimony must be based on personal knowledge.
Mastery of these rules can ensure you don’t make any missteps in litigating your case. Join our panel with special guest Hon. Anne E. Lazarus of the Pennsylvania Superior Court as they go over the various rules of evidence help you navigate their application.
Avoiding Conflict of Interests with Relationships Between Trustees and Beneficiaries
Relationships between trustees and beneficiaries can pose numerous ethical dilemmas. Potential conflicts of interest must be avoided. In this session, we examine those ethical issues, analyzing the applicable rules using real-world hypotheticals.
Recorded in November 2021.