Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning

Wiggin and Dana LLP's Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear

Welcome to Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning with Wiggin and Dana LLP, the show where you can learn high-level estate planning techniques in a manner that is accessible and understandable. This is the show where CPA’s, Insurance Professionals, Investment Bankers, Trust Companies, CFP’s, and more can firm up on their understanding of estate planning strategies so that they can better guide their clients to make wise decisions with their legacy. Future Focused is hosted by Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear, Partners of the Private Client Services department at Wiggin and Dana, LLP, with the aim of preserving the wealth that a family has worked so hard to create, we pride ourselves in offering value driven solutions and results. Head on over to Wiggin and Dana’s Private Client Services page where you can subscribe to this show on your favorite podcast platforms, share episodes with your clients, and follow our highly talented, creative, and experienced lawyers on LinkedIn for even more great insight. read less

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Speaker Series: Family Office and Strategic Investments with Erin Nicholls, R.J. Kornhaas and Dimitri Tournas

Speaker Series: Family Office and Strategic Investments with Erin Nicholls, R.J. Kornhaas and Dimitri Tournas

In the final episode of our speaker series, Partners and Family Office Co-Chairs, Erin Nicholls, R.J. Kornhaas, and Dimitri Tournas delve into the unique capabilities and services offered to high net worth individuals and family offices, highlighting the firm’s expertise in real estate, corporate transactions, and personalized private client services. This episode also explores the evolving landscape of family offices, including the importance of proper governance and tailored legal counsel. Be sure to tune in to discover how we collaborate across departments to provide comprehensive solutions for our clients.

Episodes

Speaker Series: Family Office and Strategic Investments with Erin Nicholls, R.J. Kornhaas and Dimitri Tournas

Speaker Series: Family Office and Strategic Investments with Erin Nicholls, R.J. Kornhaas and Dimitri Tournas

In the final episode of our speaker series, Partners and Family Office Co-Chairs, Erin Nicholls, R.J. Kornhaas, and Dimitri Tournas delve into the unique capabilities and services offered to high net worth individuals and family offices, highlighting the firm’s expertise in real estate, corporate transactions, and personalized private client services. This episode also explores the evolving landscape of family offices, including the importance of proper governance and tailored legal counsel. Be sure to tune in to discover how we collaborate across departments to provide comprehensive solutions for our clients.

The Role of Legal Counsel in Private Investments with R.J. Kornhaas

The Role of Legal Counsel in Private Investments with R.J. Kornhaas

On this episode, hosts Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear welcome corporate Partner R.J. Kornhaas to discuss the intricacies of investing in privately held businesses and business succession planning. They delve into essential considerations, such as the types of investments—including convertible notes and preferred stock—and emphasize the importance of having legal counsel review documents to safeguard investor interests. Whether you're an advisor, a founder or investor in a privately held company, tune in to explore how to navigate private investments wisely and understand the role of legal counsel in mitigating risks, ensuring compliance, and facilitating successful transactions.

Speaker Series: Hot Topics in International Estate Planning with Carolyn Reers

Speaker Series: Hot Topics in International Estate Planning with Carolyn Reers

On the fifth episode of our speaker series, Partner Carolyn Reers explores the growing trend of high-net-worth individuals seeking residency or citizenship abroad for tax benefits and safety. She highlights popular destinations like Malta, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia for citizenship through investment, as well as Italy, Malta, Portugal, Switzerland, Greece, and Spain for golden visa programs. Carolyn also explains the complexities of the U.S. expatriation tax regime and the challenges of maintaining U.S. tax compliance while living abroad. Tune in to gain valuable insights into international planning and compliance in today’s global landscape.

Speaker Series: The Corporate Transparency Act

Speaker Series: The Corporate Transparency Act

On the fourth episode of our speaker series, Partners Erin Nicholls, R.J. Kornhaas and Dimitri Tournas dive into the key compliance requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its impact on small to medium-sized companies. They break down the new federal beneficial ownership registry, the filing requirements, and the challenges of identifying beneficial owners. Tune in to gain insight into the information needed to meet the CTA's obligations and what it means for your business.

From the Sidelines to the Spotlight: Winning Strategies with Thomas Archer

From the Sidelines to the Spotlight: Winning Strategies with Thomas Archer

In this powerhouse episode, hosts Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear step up to the plate with Thomas Archer, a certified financial planner and owner of the Thomas J. Archer Companies, to discuss the nuances of estate planning and business succession for high net-worth individuals, including professional athletes and business owners. Archer, not one to sit on the sidelines, shares his personal journey from a humble beginning to amassing a clientele that includes billionaires and professional athletes, emphasizing the importance of proper financial planning, asset protection, and the pitfalls of lacking financial literacy. This episode is a playbook on effective strategies for preserving wealth across generations and underscores the significance of understanding the changing tax landscape. Tune in for an insightful discussion on making informed decisions that ensure your financial legacy is in the hall of fame, not the hall of shame.

Counsel for the C-Suite: Management Representation in M&A with Christian Chandler and James Greifzu

Counsel for the C-Suite: Management Representation in M&A with Christian Chandler and James Greifzu

In a typical M&A transaction, the interests of the executives and management team can significantly diverge from the other parties to the transaction making it essential to retain independent counsel, separate from the buyer and the seller. In this episode, Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear are joined by Partners Christian Chandler and James Greifzu, co-chairs of the Wiggin and Dana Management Team Representation practice group. They discuss their role in ensuring executives are properly represented in deals and the importance of early and informed legal representation to ensure that their interests are protected and aligned with the transaction's goals. The conversation highlights the complexities of executive compensation, employment agreements, tax issues and more to ensure a smooth transaction. Tune in for a deeper understanding of the crucial role legal counsel plays in facilitating smooth and beneficial business sales and transitions.

Speaker Series: Divorce-Proofing Your Dynasty with Trusts

Speaker Series: Divorce-Proofing Your Dynasty with Trusts

Navigating estate planning amidst divorce can be complex. On the third episode of our speaker series, Partner Matt Smith emphasizes the need for adaptable and forward-thinking strategies to protect assets across varying state laws. Highlighting cases where outdated estate plans clash with the modern realities of marriage, divorce, and inheritance, Matt delves into crafting lifetime trusts, navigating state-specific trust codes, and integrating prenups to safeguard one’s financial future. He also underscores the persistent challenge of ensuring estate plans remain effective in the face of life’s uncertainties and changes in law. Tune in to gain valuable insights on safeguarding assets in the face of marital dissolution.

Business Valuation Strategies with Evan Levine and Nainesh Shah of Complete Advisors

Business Valuation Strategies with Evan Levine and Nainesh Shah of Complete Advisors

Timing is crucial for clients looking to gift before the potential sunset of the estate and gift taxexemption at the end of 2025.In today’s episode, Partner Erin Nicholls sits down with Evan Levine, Founder of Complete Advisors as well as his colleague, Nainesh Shah, lead analyst, who specializes in business valuations for trust and estate planning, gift tax planning, and complex entities. They discuss the critical role of business valuations in estate and gift tax planning and the intricacies of determining discounts for lack of marketability and control, emphasizing the tailored approach needed for each unique scenario. Tune in to gain valuable insights that could significantly impact your estate planning strategies before the looming tax changes take effect.

Speaker Series: Prenups – Protecting Your Assets Before Saying “I Do”

Speaker Series: Prenups – Protecting Your Assets Before Saying “I Do”

With our second episode in our speaker series, Partner Helen Heintz dives into the increasingly common practice of drafting prenuptial agreements. Highlighting the evolution of her clientele over nearly two decades, Helen outlines the shift towards safeguarding inherited wealth in first and second marriages—primarily driven by concerned parents wanting to protect assets for their children. Helen further explores the nuances of these agreements across different states, such as Connecticut and New York, emphasizing the importance of disclosure, representation, and the distinction between separate and marital property. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the mechanics and significance of marital agreements in asset protection and estate planning.

Navigating the Tax Landscape: Insights on Gifting

Navigating the Tax Landscape: Insights on Gifting

On this episode, Partner Vanessa Maczko details where we are now with taxes and gifting, and where we are going. She discusses what is not a taxable gift and how to use your estate and gift tax exemptions. Vanessa also delves into what it means when the high exemption rates are expected to sunset in 2026, and what can be done with little to no exemption left. Tune in to learn more about this important topic, and why it may be beneficial to gift now before it’s too late!

Seal the Deal: The Art of Selling Companies with M&A Expert Jacob Koenig

Seal the Deal: The Art of Selling Companies with M&A Expert Jacob Koenig

Jacob Koenig, Managing Director and Partner of Woodbridge International, sits down with Partners Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear to discuss his firm’s unique approach to selling companies, including their focus on marketing and their ability to reach an extensive network of well-vetted potential buyers. The conversation touches on current market conditions and the importance of sticking to a timeline for closing deals. Jacob emphasizes the need for project management and clearly defined roles in the deal closing process, stating that it is crucial to keep everyone's feet to the fire and ensure that the timeline is followed to prevent delays that could kill the deal.

The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Equity: Structuring for Success: Part 2

The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Equity: Structuring for Success: Part 2

On this episode, Partners Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear continue their conversation with Wiggin and Dana Partner Jack Sousa, on entrepreneurship, equity, and entity structuring. They dive deep into the entrepreneur's guide to equity, employee stock options, and the strategic importance of early legal advice, with particularly valuable insights on estate planning synergy and innovative legal structures like convertible notes and SAFEs. Jack also hits on the wiggin(x) Startup Kit which provides emerging high-growth companies with an overview of some of the key issues to keep in mind as you start and grow your business. A crucial listen for anyone navigating startup ventures and estate planning.

Launching “Future Focused: Private Wealth Insights”

Launching “Future Focused: Private Wealth Insights”

In the latest podcast episode, host Michael Clear introduces the “Future Focused: Private Wealth Insights” blog, a platform designed to help optimize and protect your financial future. Explore domestic and international estate planning strategies, tax optimization, and more, with regularly updated content to keep you informed about the latest trends and developments. Visit www.privatewealthinsights.com to learn more and subscribe for exclusive content.

The Entrepreneur's Guide to Equity: Structuring for Success

The Entrepreneur's Guide to Equity: Structuring for Success

Discover the intersection between founding ventures and estate planning on today’s episode of Future Focused. Wiggin and Dana Partner Jack Sousa, a founder of wiggin(x) and co-chair of our Emerging Company and Venture Capital Group sits down with Partners Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear and offers invaluable insights into the client experience on Wiggin(x), a unique venture aimed at revolutionizing the startup ecosystem for founders. Don’t miss out on this engaging conversation that navigates the complex terrain of equity and legacy planning. From equity considerations, entity choices, and strategic planning for early-stage companies, Wiggin(x) is here to assist founders as they take the first step towards making well-informed decisions about their business and legacy planning.

A Guide for Business Owners: Navigating the Complexities of Estate Planning

A Guide for Business Owners: Navigating the Complexities of Estate Planning

Business owners have their own set of challenges to address when considering estate planning strategies, including family concerns, personal concerns and operation of the business itself. On this episode, Partner Michael Clear supplies a roadmap of estate planning options for business owners that seek to address these challenges. He reviews the three phases of estate planning, which are foundational planning, continuity and liquidity planning, and advanced planning. Ultimately, the goal is to get the business owner through each phase, but what do these phases mean and how do we get there? Tune in for answers to these questions, and more!

The CTA is Here to Stay: Reporting Requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act

The CTA is Here to Stay: Reporting Requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act

On this episode, Partners Michael Clear and Erin Nicholls review the requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) now in effect. They discuss what exemptions available to entities, who the beneficial owners are, when to file reports, and other insights into what is needed to comply with the CTA. Be sure to tune into this episode and review our other related content to learn more. Feel free to contact a Wiggin and Dana attorney with any questions.

Teaching the Value of the Dollar: Guest Tom Henske Makes Total Cents

Teaching the Value of the Dollar: Guest Tom Henske Makes Total Cents

Do your children think money grows on trees? Do they understand the value of a dollar? On this week’s episode, Partner Michael Clear sits down with Tom Henske, author of It Makes Total Cents, which gives parents tools to have an honest conversation with their kids about the value of money and the importance of starting the conversation at a young age. With a background in structuring life insurance portfolios for high-net-worth individuals and financial planning, Tom has made it his business to not only help clients prepare the money for their kids, but to also prepare the kids for the money. Be sure to tune in to learn more and check out totalcents, where you can find Tom’s book and podcast, and The Affluent Insurance Advisor, for life insurance policy information.

Lessons Learned with Larry Lipoff: Live From the 58th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning Conference

Lessons Learned with Larry Lipoff: Live From the 58th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning Conference

On this episode, Partner Michael Clear sits down with Larry Lipoff, CPA, TEP, CEBS, who is a Director in CohnReznick’s Trusts and Estates Practice, to discuss the key takeaways from the 58th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning Conference. They dive into topics such as the “Rockefeller Waterfall,” planning with fluctuating interest rates, a possible upheaval in residential and commercial real estate, trustee liability, gift splitting, and more. Tune in as Michael and Larry break down a number of topics that will inevitably affect how practitioners advise their clients on estate planning well into the future.

Life Insurance and Trust Planning: Insights from Special Guest Sarah Moore

Life Insurance and Trust Planning: Insights from Special Guest Sarah Moore

Life insurance can be a valuable estate planning tool for generational wealth planning, creating liquidity and time diversification. On this week’s episode, Michael Clear and special guest Sarah Moore, Director of Advisor Relations at the Coyle Company, a firm that handles estate planning and business planning matters, discuss the importance of reviewing existing life insurance policies and portfolios to ensure they align with long-term estate planning goals. They delve into the impact of rising interest rates on life insurance policies and loans, and the need for trustees to regularly review policies for optimal performance. Tune in to learn how life insurance and proper trust planning can be a powerful estate planning tool for high-net-worth clients.

A Closer Look at Conservatorships: What You Should Know

A Closer Look at Conservatorships: What You Should Know

The role of a conservator is often misunderstood and recent headlines about celebrity conservatorships tend to paint conservatorships in a negative light. However, in this episode, Hosts Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear, provide context to understanding the differences between conservatorship of the person and of the estate, voluntary and involuntary conservatorships, and how planning documents like powers of attorney and living trusts can help protect against the need for a conservatorship. This informative and engaging discussion is a must-listen for anyone interested in better understanding the real-world implications of conservatorships, as well as alternative strategies for managing one’s health and financial well-being.