On this episode, Partner Vanessa Maczko details where we are now with taxes and gifting, and where we are going. She discusses what is not a taxable gift and how to use your estate and gift tax exemptions. Vanessa also delves into what it means when the high exemption rates are expected to sunset in 2026, and what can be done with little to no exemption left. Tune in to learn more about this important topic, and why it may be beneficial to gift now before it’s too late!

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 sticking to a timeline for closing deals. Jacob emphasizes the need for project management and clearly defined roles in the deal closing process, stating that it is crucial to keep everyone's feet to the fire and ensure that the timeline is followed to prevent delays that could kill the deal.

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 innovative legal structures like convertible notes and SAFEs. Jack also hits on the wiggin(x) Startup Kit which provides emerging high-growth companies with an overview of some of the key issues to keep in mind as you start and grow your business. A crucial listen for anyone navigating startup ventures and estate planning.

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 learn more and subscribe for exclusive content.

Discover the intersection between founding ventures and estate planning on today’s episode of Future Focused. Wiggin and Dana Partner Jack Sousa, a founder of wiggin(x) and co-chair of our Emerging Company and Venture Capital Group sits down with Partners Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear and offers invaluable insights into the client experience on Wiggin(x), a unique venture aimed at revolutionizing the startup ecosystem for founders. Don’t miss out on this engaging conversation that navigates the complex terrain of equity and legacy planning. From equity considerations, entity choices, and strategic planning for early-stage companies, Wiggin(x) is here to assist founders as they take the first step towards making well-informed decisions about their business and legacy planning.

Business owners have their own set of challenges to address when considering estate planning strategies, including family concerns, personal concerns and operation of the business itself. On this episode, Partner Michael Clear supplies a roadmap of estate planning options for business owners that seek to address these challenges. He reviews the three phases of estate planning, which are foundational planning, continuity and liquidity planning, and advanced planning. Ultimately, the goal is to get the business owner through each phase, but what do these phases mean and how do we get there? Tune in for answers to these questions, and more!

On this episode, Partners Michael Clear and Erin Nicholls review the requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) now in effect. They discuss what exemptions available to entities, who the beneficial owners are, when to file reports, and other insights into what is needed to comply with the CTA.

Be sure to tune into this episode and review our other related content to learn more. Feel free to contact a Wiggin and Dana attorney with any questions.

Do your children think money grows on trees? Do they understand the value of a dollar? On this week’s episode, Partner Michael Clear sits down with Tom Henske, author of It Makes Total Cents, which gives parents tools to have an honest conversation with their kids about the value of money and the importance of starting the conversation at a young age. With a background in structuring life insurance portfolios for high-net-worth individuals and financial planning, Tom has made it his business to not only help clients prepare the money for their kids, but to also prepare the kids for the money. Be sure to tune in to learn more and check out totalcents, where you can find Tom’s book and podcast, and The Affluent Insurance Advisor, for life insurance policy information. 

On this episode, Partner Michael Clear sits down with Larry Lipoff, CPA, TEP, CEBS, who is a Director in CohnReznick’s Trusts and Estates Practice, to discuss the key takeaways from the 58th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning Conference. They dive into topics such as the “Rockefeller Waterfall,” planning with fluctuating interest rates, a possible upheaval in residential and commercial real estate, trustee liability, gift splitting, and more. Tune in as Michael and Larry break down a number of topics that will inevitably affect how practitioners advise their clients on estate planning well into the future.

Life insurance can be a valuable estate planning tool for generational wealth planning, creating liquidity and time diversification. On this week’s episode, Michael Clear and special guest Sarah Moore, Director of Advisor Relations at the Coyle Company, a firm that handles estate planning and business planning matters, discuss the importance of reviewing existing life insurance policies and portfolios to ensure they align with long-term estate planning goals.  They delve into the impact of rising interest rates on life insurance policies and loans, and the need for trustees to regularly review policies for optimal performance. Tune in to learn how life insurance and proper trust planning can be a powerful estate planning tool for high-net-worth clients.