Pausing to reflect and consider a world without you — or a world with an impaired version of you — is not easy. It is also not easy for your loved ones. Implementing an estate plan is like handing a roadmap of your wishes to your friends and family when you are unable to speak
In a previous Wiggin and Dana LLP advisory, we addressed what constitutes a “foreign trust” under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).[1] We now explore the tax consequences of a foreign trust, as well as the differences between a foreign grantor trust and a foreign non-grantor trust.
There are many benefits of having
On June 24, 2024, Partner Erin Nicholls was quoted in the Hartford Business Journal article titled, “Great Wealth Transfer Expected to Fuel Surge in New Family Offices.”
The article explores the growing popularity of family offices—which are entities designed to manage the wealth and personal affairs of ultra-high-net-worth families—in light of the upcoming $84.4 trillion
In what undoubtedly is welcome news to trustees of Connecticut irrevocable trusts, effective January 1, 2025, Connecticut will join the growing list of states that specifically authorize “decanting” the assets of an otherwise irrevocable trust into a new trust with improved terms. While most Connecticut practitioners believe that decanting has always been available under Connecticut
Like individuals, trusts are subject to income tax by the federal government and a majority of states. If a trust is characterized as a “grantor” trust, then its income is reported by the grantor thereof, who is usually the trust creator, and taxed as if earned by the grantor individually. If the trust is characterized
While historically high federal transfer tax exemptions remain in effect, the Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (“SLAT”) (also sometimes referred to as a Spousal Estate Reduction Trust, or “SERT”) remains one of the most effective planning techniques for married clients.
Wealthy individuals and families are increasingly incorporating charitable goals into their estate plan. For donors who want to manage their philanthropic activities through longer-term vehicles, two of the most common options are donor-advised funds and private foundations.
Donor-Advised Funds
A donor-advised fund (DAF) is like a charitable savings account. A donor opens and funds an
New York has become the first state to enact an analogue to the federal Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”), having signed the New York Limited Liability Company Transparency Act (“NYLTA”) into law on December 22, 2023, and later amending it on March 1, 2024. The NYLTA, which will become effective on January 1, 2026, aims
Many people tend to believe that estate planning is something they can do once, and it is done. They made decisions several years ago about who should receive their assets after their death, who should serve as executor to administer their estates, and who should be the guardians for minor children. Congratulations on getting this
Overview
Individuals who are neither United States citizens nor U.S. “domiciled” (U.S. resident with an intention to remain indefinitely in the U.S.) are subject to a less favorable estate tax planning environment. In 2024, individuals who are U.S. citizens and domiciliaries can transfer $13,610,000 free of estate, gift and GST tax during their lives or