Estate planning

TOPICS / PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING

July 21, 2025

Helping clients communicate their estate planning intentions

Clients need to communicate thoughtfully and clearly to avoid misunderstandings and implement the plan.

May 19, 2025

Broaching estate planning with aging parents

While raising the topic of planning with aging parents can be challenging for clients, having the conversation is sometimes necessary. This article provides suggestions about what to say and discuss.

May 7, 2024

Prepare large estates for TCJA sunset now

Now is the time to talk with high-net-worth clients about using the temporarily doubled estate and gift tax exclusion before its sunset in 2026, Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS, stressed in a webcast.

April 30, 2024

Forgoing marriage? Estate planning for unmarried couples

Unmarried, cohabiting couples experience the same joys and challenges as married couples but without marriage’s legal entanglement. The lack of legal standing, however, means estate planning requires more thought and action.

August 9, 2023

Being philanthropic with a noncharitable trust

Getting funds out of an irrevocable family trust for charity is often difficult, and new trusts should be designed with greater flexibility, according to two experts.

March 1, 2022

How married couples can use trusts in estate planning

Married taxpayers have estate planning options others don’t.

December 4, 2020

Answering clients’ estate planning questions this December

This article offers answers to questions from clients who are concerned about protecting their estate from tax changes that might happen in 2021.

October 1, 2019

Great time for a GRAT

Grantor retained annuity trusts may be an optimal wealth-transfer vehicle for many.

August 1, 2019

Digital assets after death

Estate planning should account for a client’s digital assets, which often have significant financial or sentimental value.

October 1, 2018

Scholarship covers estate planning conference costs

Chris DeBlanc, tax supervisor at RSM US LLP, received the 2018 P. Thomas Austin Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Division Scholarship.

April 2, 2018

Talk to your tax clients now about charitable giving

Without guidance, clients can end up giving to charity in ways that aren’t tax-efficient.

November 1, 2017

Exploring the estate tax: Part 2

This second part of a two-part article on everything practitioners should know about the estate tax covers estate tax planning techniques, including the marital deduction and the use of various types of trusts.

October 1, 2017

Exploring the estate tax: Part 1

This first installment of a two-part article on everything practitioners should know about the estate tax includes the unified estate tax rules and exemption amounts, estate valuation, portability, and what’s included in the gross estate.

September 1, 2017

Scholarship covers estate planning conference costs for emerging CPA

Shane Mason, tax supervisor at Raich Ende Malter & Co. LLP in New York City, received the 2017 P. Thomas Austin Personal Financial Planning Division Scholarship.

August 1, 2017

Use of trust disclaimers in estate planning

A beneficiary’s disclaimer could adjust the results of an existing irrevocable trust.

June 14, 2017

Preserve family wealth—and your practice—by engaging the next generation

As wealthy Baby Boomers transfer their assets to Millennials, CPAs can help families preserve their assets and build loyalty to the firm by developing relationships with the younger heirs.

October 1, 2016

Scholarship funds Estate Planning Conference costs

The annual scholarship is awarded to a CPA who has 15 years’ or less experience in the workforce and less than 10 years’ experience in estate planning.

August 29, 2016

How to work with a grieving client

A growing elderly population means an increasing number of clients losing spouses, and CPAs with strong emotional intelligence will have better relationships with their clients and get more referrals.

August 8, 2016

Why you should review the funding of your clients’ irrevocable trusts

CPAs, their clients, and other advisers should review funded irrevocable trusts for these points.

July 25, 2016

The elder planning documents your clients must have

It’s vital that your clients have certain documents in place to protect themselves and their assets in the event of their physical or mental incapacity.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Tax-efficient drawdown strategies in retirement

Want to stretch retirement funds and avoid tax pitfalls? This article shares tips and models for smarter drawdown strategies that maximize after-tax wealth, manage Social Security and Medicare impacts, and minimize surprises. Also see: Tax season preview and quick guide.