Episodes

Brent talks about what tax planning can happen AFTER the client has already signed the deal to sell a large asset. He talks about the difference between income and estate tax planning. He then discusses terms of the deal, installment method, QSBS, charitable giving, and charitable lead annuity trusts. He closes it out with a discussion of how discounts may still be available on gifts, even after the ink is dry. This material is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of ...

Brent chats about five key questions relating to tariffs and planning in difficult market conditions. He gives answers to the following questions: 1. What’s the real strategy behind these tariffs—and what is the administration hoping to achieve by imposing them now? 2. How might these tariffs and the market’s reaction affect U.S. consumers and investors in the short term? 3. How do currency exchange rates fit into this picture—and why does it matter if the U.S. dollar strengthens or weakens? ...

Brent chats with T.J. Ryan about important terms to make your trusts better. In this first part of that conversation, they discuss the importance of settlor intent, HIPAA releases and incapacity determinations, determining the character of property of the trust as community property or separate property, holding property in lifetime spendthrift trusts with careful distribution provisions, and using special co-trustees strategically (drug testing anyone?). T.J. is a Senior Partner at the Phoenix...

Brent chats with Steven Zeiger about why life insurance products are so complex. Steven explains the mechanics of the products and how data can reveal which are best for our clients. Steven also shares his methodology and best practices for comparing life insurance options. Steven Zeiger is a Managing Director of Wealth Management at KB Financial and is a recognized professional in applying prudent investor guidelines to life insurance product selection and portfolio management according to est...

Brent chats about how AI can be used in estate planning now. He discusses its current limitations and dangers associated with AI-Emboldened Advisers. He also discusses the future outlook of AI and how advisers can remain relevant. 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 lea...

In this Live recording, Brent chats about the state of the tax bills in Washington, DC, an interesting fiduciary liability case involving foreign accounts, how to plan for an uncertain future, and what gifts volatile markets bring for private wealth transfers. 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 ...

This is an episode from March 2022, where Brent talks about his history with Ukraine and Russia’s invasion. Although we are now almost three years removed, the content seems as relevant today as it was then. 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 learn more about Brent go ...

Brent chats about how adding leverage (or debt) to estate planning vehicles can increase the wealth transfer potential. He talks specifically about adding debt in irrevocable grantor trusts, GRATs, and family limited partnerships. 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 lea...

Brent chats about how to move a trust’s income tax residence to a State with no income tax. He talks about what trusts can do this and when and why it might make sense. He also explains when the math does not favor that kind of move. 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 ...

Brent chats about the new administration, and news of tax proposals from Republican tax negotiators. He shares his thoughts on tariffs, lower C corporation tax rates, the SALT deduction, the 199A deduction, opportunity zone funds, and estate tax. He also discusses what some of these changes could mean for taxpayers trying to plan. 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 a...

Brent chats about how he’s thinking about using the 2025 Estate Tax exemption of $13.99 million. He discusses getting ulta-high net worth clients to act, the basic planning frameworks and numbers, and benefits of the full picture. 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 lea...

Brent chats with Ryan Halvorson about how to make smart moves with equity compensation. They talk about different kinds of equity compensation, from RSUs, stock options, to deferred compensation. They then explain what issues to watch out for and how to make smart decisions from a financial planning perspective. Ryan Halvorson is an advisor at TCI Wealth Advisors. With more than a decade of wealth management experience, he brings determination and passion as an advisor. He provides tailored adv...

Brent chats with Paul Hood about what the world looks like for buy sell agreements after the US Supreme Court’s decision in Connelly. They discuss how, if at all, the decision changes existing law, what business owners should think about for business succession planning, and where the case leaves us going forward. Paul Hood obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from Louisiana State University and an LL.M. in taxation from Georgetown University Law Center. Paul has taught at the University ...

Brent chats with Toni Ann Kruse about what it means from a practical and tax perspective to expatriate from the United States. They explain the difference in residency, covered expatriates, and significant tax considerations. They also talk about some of the day-to-day challenges of leaving the United States. Toni Ann Kruse is a Partner at McDermott Will & Emery who has a broad-based estate and wealth transfer planning practice in New York. She advises ultra-high net worth individuals and famil...

Brent chats with Geoff Grenert about how to help client understand complicated ideas as part of their planning. They discuss the challenge of explaining things simply, helping people overcome their own fears, and ultimately helping people make wise decisions. They also talk about their processes for creating and delivering the message their clients need to hear. Geoff, Cypress Strategies founder, has worked with affluent families and businesses since 1997 in the area of legacy planning. He help...

Brent explains some of the challenges of planning when there is a non-US citizen spouse. He dives into the estate tax marital deduction, the gift tax marital deduction, Form 3520, income tax recognition events, and expatriation. He also explains how these issues arise at various generational levels of a family. 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 ar...

Brent chats with Matt Hochstetler about the basics of irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs). They explain what these trusts are, why they are useful, Crummey provisions, and creative planning with life insurance. Matt Hochstetler is a trusts-and-estates attorney practicing in Naples, Florida and Canton, Ohio. His practice serves wealthy families, family offices, and private trust companies across the United States. Matt counsels clients on estate planning and administration as well as matte...

Brent chats about how to think about the US elections, reminds you the CTA beneficial owner reports are due by December 31, 2024, suggests planning based on the laws as they are not as we wish they would be, and spotting important red flags when there are non-Americans in the family tree. 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 ...

Brent chats about the basics of Remainder Purchase Marital Trusts (RPMTs). He explains how they work within the gift tax marital deduction rules. Then he compares them to QTIP Trusts and IDGTs (see our prior episodes about those). Finally, Brent walks through the mechanics of RPMTs and how they can be effective wealth transfer tools. 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 it...

Brent chats with Steve Gorin about the Beneficiary Deemed Inheritor’s Trust (BDITs). They talk about the structure of these irrevocable trusts, their potential benefits in estate planning, and risks involved in these trusts. they give practical ideas about analyzing whether to use BDITs. Steve Gorin in a Partner at Thompson Coburn LLP. Steve crafts estate plans for individuals, keeping in mind their financial security and desire to save income and estate tax. In his work for businesses, Steve h...

Brent chats with Cody Cassidy about the importance of holding family meetings. They discuss why a meeting can set the tone for a family’s financial success. They also share tips and best practices for planning, holding, and following up on those meetings. Cody Cassidy, CFP®, is an advisor and a Shareholder at TCI Wealth Advisors. He works with multiple teams to deliver research/analysis and strategic planning tools for clients. Cody has worked across a number of sectors, both public and privat...

Brent chats with Justin Miller about Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs). They explain what these trusts are, how they can be used to save estate taxes, and when to consider one. They also dive into some of the planning challenges and how to select good assets for SLATs. Justin Miller is a partner and the national director of wealth planning at Evercore Wealth Management, counseling advisors and clients on complex taxation, trusts and estates, charitable planning and family governance issues...

Brent discusses the US Supreme Court’s Loper Bright case. In the case the Supreme Court overturned its own legal doctrine called Chevron deference. Brent talks about the case, what the justices said, and what the case might mean for tax regulation and planning in the future. 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 SUBSCRI...

Brent chats with Naomita Yadav about all the ways S corporations are problematic. They commiserate about the shareholder limitations, trusts as shareholders, generational wealth planning, and real estate, among other things. They also offer insights and solutions to some of these common issues. Naomita Yadav is a partner in the private client and tax team of Withersworldwide. She has a diverse and well-rounded tax background, including experience in both income tax and estate and gift tax matte...