In this episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning, host Michael Clear welcomes Andi Hughes, Director of Strategic Partnerships at TrustHouse, for an insightful discussion on concierge home care and the role it plays in helping individuals and families navigate complex care needs for safety, dignity, and peace of mind. Andi explains how proactive
In this episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning, host Michael Clear welcomes Joshua Chadajo, Founder of JEC Philanthropy, for an insightful discussion on how intentional philanthropy can help donors align their charitable giving with their core values and priorities rather than simply reacting to requests or tax-driven considerations. Josh shares strategies that help donors
Clarity is a central feature of good estate planning, and estate planners and clients alike take comfort in knowing that wishes are expressed clearly. When it comes to clearly identifying individuals – either as the planning clients or as the intended beneficiaries of an estate or trust – most estate plans assume that a person’s
What is New York’s Pied-à-Terre Tax?
“Pied-à-terre” (French for “foot on the ground”) refers to non-primary residences used for occasional stays rather than a primary, year-round residence. On May 28, 2026, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget, which included a pied-à-terre surcharge tax on qualifying non-primary residences in
On December 12, 2025, Governor Hochul signed the New York Electronic Wills Act into law, making New York one of at least fifteen states that will permit wills to be signed electronically when it takes effect on December 12, 2027. [1] Below is an overview of what the new law provides and what to keep
After a decedent’s death, fiduciaries face income tax decisions that directly affect how quickly assets become available, when tax payments come due, and what returns must be filed. Often, the most meaningful opportunities for tax savings, and the most common missteps, arise not during the planning phase, but during the administration itself. This article focuses
In this episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning, host Michael Clear welcomes Kenley Stark, Counsel in the Private Client Services Department at Wiggin and Dana, for an in-depth conversation about the complex lifecycle of art ownership. Together, they delve into the many stages collectors face—from the initial acquisition to the eventual sale
How is artificial intelligence reshaping estate planning discussions, and where does it fall short? In this episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning, host Michael Clear examines the growing role of AI in the estate planning process, as clients increasingly arrive with AI‑generated strategies in hand. While these tools can help simplify complex concepts
Gain insights into how high‑net‑worth families are leveraging Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) in their long‑term planning strategies in the latest episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning. Hosts Michael Clear and Erin Nicholls sit down with Carl Peterson of Lindberg & Ripple to break down what PPLI really is, who it’s designed for
In this episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning, host Michael Clear sits down with Brian Lasher, Managing Director at Euclid Harding, to explore why planning so often stalls – and what it takes to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Brian shares a human‑centered perspective on estate and succession planning, challenging the idea that