I’ll be leaving shortly for the Academy’s Spring Summit event in Houston! I’m looking forward to seeing all my Academy friends. I interact with Members every day, but my opportunity to see them in person is at the Academy events.
In addition to numerous meetings, I’ll be giving two presentations. The first examines the ethics of an estate planning attorney also providing financial services in a separate entity. As attendees will learn, informed written consent is key to avoiding the possible conflicts of interest which are inherent in doing so. In the presentation, in addition to other things, I’ll go over a decision-tree which walks attendees through the very complicated Model Rules on point.
The second presentation looks at the future of estate planning. It focuses on how estate planning is no longer a one-size-fits-all proposition. What works in one state may not be appropriate in another. Also, today’s estate planning attorney should focus not just on the client’s situation, but also on the intended beneficiaries’ situations. Finally, with the decreased importance of the estate tax, income tax planning becomes significantly more important.
In addition to my presentations, I’m looking forward to seeing many of the other presentations, including that of the keynote speaker. Joe Ehrmann, author of InSideOut Coaching, will be giving the keynote speech “Living a Legacy.” We should all live our legacies and, if we are lucky, leave our legacies to our loved ones.
Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M.
Associate Director of Education American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (800) 846-1555
www.aaepa.com
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