Talking About Wealth Transfer Plans: Practical Strategies to Avoid Disputes Among Beneficiaries

course

COURSE INFO

  • Available Until 3/26/2021
  • Next Class Time 11:00 AM MT
  • Duration 60 min.
  • Format MP3 Download
  • Program Code 03262019
  • MCLE Credits 1 hour(s)


Course Price: $89.00

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Transferring wealth often unearths long-deferred issues that may complicate or even subvert the best laid trust and estate plan. Heirs may have expectations about their inheritance that are unrealistic. Certain children may expect to take control of a family business. There are often interpersonal resentments or animosities among heirs, children of different marriages. Sometimes, too, there are children from a relationship that were previously unknown.  These and many other issues need to be identified and discussed before plans are formulated and documents drafted.  But they raising these issues is a very delicate business which sometimes takes lawyers to the edge of their comfort zone. This program will provide you a practical guide to raising these issues and counseling clients about the legal issues involved. 

  • Communicating wealth transfer plans before the death of a client
  • When to have those conversations – timing is everything
  • How to broach uncomfortable topics and unpopular choices with beneficiaries
  • Anticipating visceral reactions and strategies to avoid estrangement and dispute
  • How trustee choices may impact beneficiary reactions
  • Talking about the real risks of costly, protracted and potentially ruinous litigation 

Speakers:

Daniel L. Daniels is a partner in the Greenwich, Connecticut office of Wiggin and Dana, LLP, where his practice focuses on representing business owners, corporate executives and other wealthy individuals and their families.  A Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, he is listed in “The Best Lawyers in America,” and has been named by “Worth” magazine as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the United States representing affluent individuals. Mr. Daniels is co-author of a monthly column in “Trusts and Estates” magazine.  Mr. Daniels received his A.B., summa cum laude, from Dartmouth College and received his J.D., with honors, from Harvard Law School.

Steven B. Malech is partner in the New York City office of Wiggin and Dana, LLP, where he is chair of the firm’s probate litigation practice group.  He is represents beneficiaries, fiduciaries and creditors in disputes involving alleged violations of the Prudent Investor Act and its predecessors, alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, disputed accountings, and will contests. He represents clients in cutting edge probate litigation matters involving trusts and estates with assets in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Mr. Malech received his B.A., with special honors, from the University of Texas and his J.D. from the Connecticut School of Law.