A hot topic for many months has been taking advantage of the currently high estate tax exemption that is scheduled to drop next year, with an appropriate message of “use it or lose it.” However, using that exemption is a strategy for clients with a significant amount of wealth – the ability to give away the full exemption of almost $14 million – and for a married couple to get the maximum benefit, the ability to give away nearly $28 million. Most estate planning clients are not in that wealth bracket, but they do have a significant net worth to pass to their intended beneficiaries and would like to do so in the most tax-efficient manner.
In this webinar, we’ll discuss planning for clients in the mid-range of wealth. Issues that will be covered are ones that impact most clients who have invested and saved, and have a nest-egg to pass on. We’ll discuss using revocable trusts with different estate plan structures for flexibility, various ways to set up trusts for future generations, selecting trustees, and how to coordinate IRAs, other retirement benefits, and life insurance. Join us to hear about practical strategies to include in your estate planning toolbox for mid-wealth clients.
Deirdre R. Wheatley-Liss divides her practice between representation of business owners and their businesses, counselling individuals and families, and advising non-profit entities. Ms. Wheatley-Liss counsels business owners on legal and structural issues related to start-up, financing, growth and exit strategy.
As a tax attorney, she always keeps an eye on minimizing a business owner's "silent partner" – the IRS. She also advises on director and officer (D&O) liability issues, including business succession and break-ups. By creating the most efficient organizational structures and contractual arrangements during the infancy and growth of a business she has helped clients keep hundreds of thousands of dollars in their pockets upon the sale of the mature business.
To educate both the public and the legal community about issues relating to business ownerships, Ms. Wheatley-Liss is a frequent lecturer to professionals and the public on topics related to start-up, intellectual property, employee and independent contractor issues, wealth transfer, tax minimization, business succession planning and cybersecurity.