Episodes

In this episode of the Wealth and Law Podcast, Brent Nelson is joined by Ben Douglas to discuss the key considerations involved in preparing to sell a wealth management business. They explore some of the legal, regulatory, and business matters that owners should consider when preparing for a potential sale, including the importance of planning ahead, preparing for due diligence, and understanding the complexities involved in selling an asset management business. Ben Douglas counsels businesses ...

As entrepreneurs scale their businesses, protecting the wealth they are building becomes increasingly important. In this episode of the Wealth and Law Podcast, Brent Nelson and Todd Villarrubia discuss proactive asset protection strategies for business owners, including how business structure and tax planning can work together to help protect their wealth. Todd Villarrubia is a 30-year tax attorney with an LL.M. in Taxation, Board Certified Expert in Estate Planning and Administration, Accredit...

Brent Nelson is joined by Marc Acuña and Julie Fischer of Make Way for Books to discuss impactful charitable giving and the important work being done to support children, families, and communities through literacy and education. They share more about Make Way for Books, its mission, and the meaningful impact that charitable support can have in the community. Marc Acuña is the Chief Executive Officer of Make Way for Books and a lifelong educator dedicated to expanding opportunities for children,...

In this episode of the Wealth and Law Podcast, Brent Nelson is joined by Boris Musheyev for a conversation on Proactive Tax Planning. They discuss how business owners can reduce unnecessary tax burdens through year-round planning and explore how tax strategy can impact profitability and long-term financial goals. Boris Musheyev is a CPA, Certified Tax Strategist, and founder of BORISMTAX, a tax planning and advisory firm serving business owners across 40+ states. Since founding the firm in 2017...

In this episode of the Wealth and Law Podcast, Brent Nelson is joined by John Strohmeyer to discuss how generative AI is reshaping the practice of law. They explore practical ways attorneys can use AI tools to research, communication and law firm operations, while also addressing confidentiality and the responsible implementation of AI in legal practice. John Strohmeyer is the proprietor of Strohmeyer Law PLLC in Houston, where he guides individuals through the maze of estate planning, tax, and...

Brent Nelson chats with Lisa Zeiderman to discuss the intersection of wealth planning and divorce. They explore the financial and legal considerations that arise during divorce and the importance of thoughtful planning when significant assets are involved. They give special attention to the value of premarital and post-marital agreements. Lisa Zeiderman is Managing Partner at Miller Zeiderman LLP in New York and a highly recognized matrimonial attorney, Certified Financial Litigator, and Certif...

Brent chats with attorney Don Ford about how to set a family company up for successful succession. They talk about interpersonal aspects, managing expectations, corporate governance, creditor issues, divorce, trust planning, and more. Mr. Ford is the managing partner of Ford + Bergner, a leading estate planning and probate firm with offices in Houston, Dallas and Austin. He specializes in estate planning and probate for high net worth clients and is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal S...

Brent chats about the many challenges Americans face when they receive a foreign inheritance. He talks about the reporting requirements, issues with passive foreign investment companies, controlled foreign corporations, and foreign trusts. He also mentions options to ease the blow and make things a smoother transition. This material is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the speaker as of the date noted and not necessarily of the speaker’s firm or its affiliates. I...

Brent chats about how health care documents, often overlooked, can be the most important documents in any estate plan. He discusses the available options, how they work and work together, and easy options that every adult (and parent) should consider. This material is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the speaker as of the date noted and not necessarily of the speaker’s firm or its affiliates. If you are enjoying the podcast please SUBSCRIBE and leave a REVIEW, a...

Brent chats about the importance of reviewing older trusts and corporate structures. As nothing stays the same, so it is with the circumstances that give rise to these structures originally. Changes in the law and in the family business dynamics often merit a fresh look at these structures. Brent discusses common issues, helpful considerations, and ways to make changes. This material is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the speaker as of the date noted and not ne...

Brent chats about why life insurance trusts still matter, even with a historically high basic exclusion amount. He talks about their mechanics, benefits to proper structuring, and important income and transfer tax considerations. This material is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the speaker as of the date noted and not necessarily of the speaker’s firm or its affiliates. If you are enjoying the podcast please SUBSCRIBE and leave a REVIEW, and if you want to lear...

Brent chats about the always challenging decision of who should be your trustee. He explains the options, the pluses and minuses to each, and how the role of a trustee need not be an all or nothing decision. He proposes some creative structures in difficult cases. This material is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the speaker as of the date noted and not necessarily of the speaker’s firm or its affiliates. If you are enjoying the podcast please SUBSCRIBE and leav...

Brent chats about what options might be available to avoid the application of the JCT’s Blue Book’s footnote 102. He discusses the distribution mechanisms, beneficiary deemed owned trusts, qualified subchapter s trusts, non-trust options, and charitable remainder trusts. He also talks about the unknowns of how footnote 102 will actually apply. This material is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the speaker as of the date noted and not necessarily of the speaker’s ...

Brent chats about footnote 102 to the Joint Committee on Taxation’s Blue Book explanations of OBBBA. He explains how the JCT applies the 2/37 limitation on itemized deductions to the income distribution deduction for nongrantor trusts and estate, what that could mean, and what is still unknown. This material is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the speaker as of the date noted and not necessarily of the speaker’s firm or its affiliates. If you are enjoying the po...

Brent chats with Clay McKenna about how SLAT (Spousal Lifetime Access Trust) planning can be dangerous without precautions. They talk about reciprocal trust issues, community and marital property, and suggest taking a measured approach before jumping into the SLAT pool. Clay is a Wealth Adviser and Executive Director in the Houston, Texas office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Clay earned her undergraduate and juris doctorate degrees at the University of Virginia. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan Priv...

Brent chats with Jennifer Lee about working with business owners to create a succession plan. They discuss some of the hurdles, ways to start the conversation, and important planning, family and tax matters to consider. Jennifer Lee is the owner and founder of Modern Wealth. Jennifer grew up in the world of financial advising by going on appointments with her father and to his office on weekends. Watching how he served his clients, she gained a solid understanding of the work ethic and values ...

Brent chats with Mark Zauderer about what it means to be an attorney and to be in a profession. Mark shares how the profession has changed during his career and how it can be maintained. Brent and Mark also talk about whether they recommend people attend law school, civility, giving back, and how reputation is a valuable asset. Mark Zauderer is the author of Counsel, the Courtroom is Open, available here Counsel, the Courtroom Is Open | Book by Mark C. Zauderer | Official Publisher Page | Simon...

Brent chats with Gary Pattengale about how clients can use after-tax strategies to improve their investing and planning outcomes. They discuss things like Roth IRAs, utilizing losses, counseling clients on the complexity, and helping people make informed decisions. Gary Pattengale serves as a Senior Vice President, Advanced Planning Specialist and Wealth Advisor in Mesirow Wealth Management. Gary acts a centralized, specialized resource advising clients on tax implications and strategy consider...

Brent chats with Darren Case about what planning looks like this year for ultra high net worth families. They discuss how “basic” planning is key, GST tax planning, using general powers of appointment, trust protectors, intentionally defective grantor trusts, structuring trust flexibility, family limited partnerships, and more! Darren is a shareholder in the law firm Tiffany & Bosco, PA, in Phoenix, AZ. He assists families and individuals in the areas of estate planning, probate, and tax, and i...

Brent chats with Daniel Yoo about the ways that AI is (and is not) changing the world of wealth management. They talk about innovations, the current state of the AI market, how AI can be used in bespoke ways, and limitations of AI that are still yet to be solved. Daniel Yoo is the founder and CEO of FinMate AI, a custom Agentic AI development platform automating back office work as well as an AI Notetaker specifically designed for financial advisors. With a unique combination of financial advis...

Brent chats with Gray Edmondson about how debt can be a valuable tool in wealth transfers. They talk about recent tax court cases, how the AFR works, planning for cash loans, and then more complex transactions using debt to sell assets. Gray Edmondson is a Partner at Edmondson Sage Allen, PLLC in Oxford, Mississippi. Gray practices in partnership, corporate, and individual tax planning; business transactions including mergers and acquisitions; business planning; tax controversy; estate and weal...

Brent chats with Brent Bowers about how he has strategically invested in land and built his real estate business. They discuss the tactics and address important risk management techniques to improve a real estate portfolio. Brent Bowers is an investor and coach with a focus on buying and selling vacant land. As an Army Officer with over 8 years of service, Brent was spending a great deal of time away from his family, and he knew he needed to make some changes in order to be more present with hi...

Brent chats with Christine Alexis Concepción about how Americans in France can strategize around the thorny international tax issues they face. They talk about investing abroad, owning real estate in France, thinking about the cross-border tax world, and planning to succeed. Christine Alexis Concepción is an international tax and estate planning attorney and partner at Concepción Global, with offices in Miami, Madrid, and Paris. She advises high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and busines...

Brent chats with Elizabeth Garlovsky about the ways trusts can be used in prenuptial agreements and divorce. They talk about structuring the trusts, common issues, and the results divorce can have on revocable and irrevocable trusts. Elizabeth (“Lizzy”) Garlovsky represents clients in matters related to estate planning and wealth transfer, probate, and estate and trust administration. She brings over 25 years of combined experience in private practice, the public sector, and as a wealth advisor...