This time of year, many parents with a college-aged child are squeezing in last-minute vacations, back to school shopping and other activities before their child returns to college or starts first semester. However, one component that is often overlooked is to ensure adult children have adequate estate planning in place to address their financial and
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…
Five Reasons Why You Should Do Your Estate Plan
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…
Overuse of Beneficiary Designations: How They Can Derail a Client’s Estate Plan
“I notice that your account does not have a beneficiary listed, would you like to list one now? Listing a beneficiary can avoid the expense and delay of probate.”
This is a question more and more of our clients are being asked (and encouraged to prepare) by representatives at financial institutions. However, for many of our…
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…
U.S. Income Taxation of Foreign Trusts – Beware!
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…
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…
LGBTQ+ Family Estate Planning
Despite recent legislative advancements, including the 2015 historic Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges to make same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals and their families still face unique challenges when ensuring their intentions and directives are respected and met, particularly after their death. Whether you…
Partner Erin Nicholls Quoted in Hartford Business Journal Article on Family Offices
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…
Connecticut’s New Trust Decanting Statute
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…