The past few years have brought more people than ever to the world of Estate Planning. Whether prompted by global uncertainty, changes in tax law, or a desire for peace of mind, families and individuals are eager to put their affairs in order. At the same time, attorneys have worked tirelessly to meet that demand—often managing more clients and cases than ever before.
With this increased volume, efficiency has become essential. But in the rush to serve everyone well, it’s important not to sacrifice the careful customization that makes an Estate Plan truly effective. The following article explores how attorneys balance speed and precision—and why the best plans are never “one-size-fits-all.”
Estate Planning
Don’t Be a Turkey or a Ham- Take Advantage of Your Annual per Donee Exclusion Amount
The holidays are a great time to review the past year and make plans for the upcoming one. Part of those plans should be reviewing your Estate Plan and considering what, if any, steps you should take to help you achieve your goals. One of the easiest, but most overlooked, ways to do some quick planning is to take advantage of the annual per donee exclusion amount which can have a tremendous impact on reducing the estate without use of the applicable exclusion amount.
Fall Summit 2025: Accountability in Action
The best Estate Planners know that staying current on the latest trends and developments is essential to serving their clients with excellence. That’s why the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys hosts its semi-annual conference, providing education and learning for and inspiring excellence in its Members.
Preparing for FinCEN Real Estate Reporting
Although the Corporate Transparency Act’s Beneficial Ownership Information reports no longer apply to domestic entities due to their exemption, another FinCEN requirement is moving full steam ahead, and estate planning attorneys should not overlook it. Starting December 1, 2025, professionals involved in real estate closings and settlements will be required to submit reports to FinCEN for certain non-financed transfers of residential property to legal entities or trusts.
What Football and Estate Planning Have in Common
I, like many Americans, love football. As I settled in to watch my team’s game this week, I wondered if I could turn it into a blog. As I watched, I realized, in fact, football and Estate Planning share many commonalities.
Hulk Hogan and Disclaimers…?
When Terry Bollea, aka “Hulk Hogan,” died on July 24 at age 71 in his Clearwater, Florida home, I wondered if I’d have another celebrity estate gone awry to discuss. I found something different but equally important for Estate Planning practitioners: disclaimers.
