Greenberg Traurig Tax & Business Group attorneys Jonathan Forster and Todd Steinberg, along with AALU Director of Public Policy, David Hollingsworth, hosted the 2016 Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning webinar.  Hollingsworth provided the political and legislative update and discussed the challenges facing the insurance industry. Forster discussed what is trending  in the marketplace, including rising interest rates, higher tax rates, grantor and dynasty trusts, and what changes and opportunities are on the horizon. Steinberg stressed the importance of utilizing trusts by explaining the tax and non-tax benefits a trust can provide to creators, beneficiaries, and fiduciaries. He also discussed striving for maximum flexibility in all aspects of estate planning, but with a particular emphasis on how to incorporate such flexibility into wills and trust agreements.  Steinberg also discussed the importance of re-evaluating existing trust agreements and considering, as appropriate, trust decanting to correct, protect, and serve a family’s overall needs and objectives. He encouraged upfront and ongoing collaboration with all advisory team members in order to achieve success and take full advantage of planning opportunities as they arise.

To listen to the full webinar click here.