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Improving Existing Irrevocable Trusts: Decanting, Reforming, and Planning

IMPROVING EXISTING IRREVOCABLE TRUSTS: DECANTING, REFORMING, AND PLANNING

Cost Free
Presentation Length 1.0 hour

Recorded DateMay 25, 2023
CPE:Not available
(archived webinars do not offer CPE credits)
Subject AreaTaxes
Course LevelBasic
Course Description

This webinar will discuss why all advisers should think about decanting, reformation, trust protector actions, and other possible options to correct or improve existing, old irrevocable trusts. In the past, a trust that was irrevocable was viewed as “carved in stone” and unchangeable. That is certainly no longer the case as the law, drafting techniques, and other circumstances have changed. This webinar will provide a practical discussion targeted towards not just lawyers who may draft the documents necessary to modify an old irrevocable trust but also the role which CPAs, wealth advisers, insurance consultants, and others can play in this process. Decanting—which is modifying the terms of a trust by distributing its assets to another perhaps newly drafted trust—is still relatively new, and uncertainty remains.

This webinar will explain why existing trusts should be reviewed to determine if improvements can be made, some of the options as to how those improvements might be achieved, and also the tax, legal, and other impediments that may thwart those efforts or create unanticipated tax or other costs. For example, a trust paying income tax in a high-tax state may, through decanting or other mechanisms, be able to sever its ties with the high-tax jurisdiction and provide annual state income tax savings to those involved. This option can be a planning idea that the CPA identifies and then works with counsel to implement. The objective of the program is to provide a multidisciplinary, practical approach to this important topic. This session will highlight practical action steps to discuss with clients as well as identify pitfalls to avoid.

Learning Objectives:


  • Recognize that irrevocable trusts are no longer unchangeable and why they should be reviewed for opportunities to make improvements

  • Describe how CPAs, wealth advisers, insurance consultants, and others play a role in modifying old irrevocable trusts

  • Identify options to improve existing trusts as well as tax, legal, and other impediments that may thwart modification efforts or create unanticipated costs

Not logged
PLEASE NOTE: ARCHIVED WEBINARS DO NOT QUALIFY FOR CPE

Martin Shenkman

Shenkman Law
Dual Practitioner, Financial Planner
[email protected]
(201) 845-8400

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Martin M. Shenkman, CPA, MBA, PFS, AEP (distinguished), JD, is an attorney in private practice in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and New York City, New York, with Shenkman Law. His practice focuses on estate and tax planning as well as planning for closely-held businesses and estate administration. Throughout his career, Mr. Shenkman received awards and acknowledgments from the New Jersey Bar Association, Worth Magazine, CPA Magazine, the American Cancer Society, and the AICPA. Mr. Shenkman holds a Bachelor of Science from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from the University of Michigan, a law degree from Fordham University School of Law. He is admitted to the bar in New York, New Jersey, and Washington D.C.

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Robert S. Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished), CGMA is a partner with Keebler & Associates, LLP, and the current chairman of the AICPA Advanced Estate Planning Conference. In 2007 he was inducted into the Estate Planning Hall of Fame of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. CPA Magazine has also named him one of the top 100 most influential practitioners in the United States and one of the top 40 tax advisors to know during a recession. His practice includes family wealth transfer and preservation planning, charitable giving, retirement distribution planning, and estate administration. 

 

Mr. Keebler frequently represents clients before the National Office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the private letter ruling process and estate, gift, and income tax examinations and appeals. He has received more than 200 favorable private letter rulings, including several key rulings of “first impression.” 

 

He is the author of over 100 articles and columns and is the editor, author, or co-author of many books and treatises on wealth transfer and taxation. Mr. Keebler has been a speaker at national estate planning and tax seminars for over 20 years, including the AICPA’s: Estate Planning, High Income, Advanced Financial Planning Conferences, ABA Conferences, NAPEC Conferences, The Notre Dame Estate Planning Conference, and the Heckerling Estate Planning Institute.

 

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About Our Presenter

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Shenkman Law is a boutique firm focused on the legal needs of high-net-worth individuals, professionals, close business owners, and real estate owners and developers. They provide creative legal solutions to help clients meet complex or seemingly contradictory personal, business, financial, and tax goals, and pride themselves on treating clients with thoughtful care—just like members of our own families.