ACTEC Trust & Estate Talk

Artificial Intelligence is redefining publicity rights. From ABBA’s “ABBAtars” to AI voice cloning and estate planning battles, the legal landscape is shifting fast. ACTEC Fellows discuss the challenges and their implications for legacy planning. The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, ACTEC, is a professional society of peer-elected trust and estate lawyers in the United States and around the globe. This series offers professionals best practice advice, insights, and commentary on subjects that affect the profession and clients. Learn more in this podcast.  

In this engaging discussion, Steve Gorin, an ACTEC Fellow and expert in trust and estate tax practices, unpacks the recent changes to the Qualified Business Income deduction following the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He elaborates on how the new legislation expands phase-in ranges, creating fresh tax planning opportunities for pass-through business owners. Gorin also sheds light on income thresholds, the intricate wage limitation mechanics, and clarifies which professions are affected by the specified service trade exclusions.

Explore OB3 Act changes to QSBS rules, including the new $75M limit, $15M exclusion, and strategies to maximize tax savings for founders and investors. The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, ACTEC, is a professional society of peer-elected trust and estate lawyers in the United States and around the globe. This series offers professionals best practice advice, insights, and commentary on subjects that affect the profession and clients. Learn more in this podcast.

Discover how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act reshapes Qualified Opportunity Zones, estate planning rules, and tax strategies for investors. The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, ACTEC, is a professional society of peer-elected trust and estate lawyers in the United States and around the globe. This series offers professionals best practice advice, insights, and commentary on subjects that affect the profession and clients. Learn more in this podcast.

Beth Shapiro-Kaufman, an esteemed ACTEC Fellow from D.C., dives into the transformative One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and its sweeping changes to estate and gift taxes. She reveals how the legislation increases tax exemptions and navigates the complex budget reconciliation process. The conversation also highlights new rules around charitable contributions and the impact of an excise tax on endowments, emphasizing the importance of adapting financial planning to these changes. It's a must-listen for anyone in the trust and estate profession!

Steve Akers, a prominent trust and estate lawyer from Dallas and ACTEC Fellow, dives into innovative estate planning strategies that prioritize family well-being over mere financial legacies. He emphasizes the importance of aligning estate plans with clients' hopes and dreams, outlining how trusts can support housing, healthcare, and education. Akers introduces concepts like the Family Advancement Sustainability Trust and discusses the new Delaware statute on beneficiary well-being trusts. He also draws inspiration from the Savannah Bananas on creating a fan-first culture to enhance client service.

Join Steve Akers, an ACTEC Fellow and former president from Dallas, as he imparts wisdom from his Joseph Trachman Memorial Lecture. He emphasizes the importance of savoring moments, practicing gratitude, and embracing forgiveness through poignant stories and insights. Akers shares strategies for effective time management and personal flourishing, advocating for risk-taking and self-respect. The conversation highlights how authenticity influences relationships and legacy planning, encouraging listeners to craft meaningful legacies.

In this insightful discussion, Steve Akers, managing director and senior fiduciary counsel at Bessemer Trust, delves into how positive psychology enhances estate planning. He emphasizes the importance of counting up rather than down, shifting perspectives on happiness. Akers shares insights from key studies, including the PERMA framework, highlighting the vital role of social relationships in achieving fulfillment. He also addresses sleep's impact on brain health, underlining its relevance in fostering well-being and longevity.

Explore how positive psychology and trust planning intersect in Steve Akers’ “Counting Down, Counting Up, Flourishing” Trachtman Lecture preview. The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, ACTEC, is a professional society of peer-elected trust and estate lawyers in the United States and around the globe. This series offers professionals best practice advice, insights, and commentary on subjects that affect the profession and clients. Learn more in this podcast.

Explore Sections 2704(a) & (b) and their impact on family-limited partnerships, valuation, and estate planning under Chapter 14. The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, ACTEC, is a professional society of peer-elected trust and estate lawyers in the United States and around the globe. This series offers professionals best practice advice, insights, and commentary on subjects that affect the profession and clients. Learn more in this podcast.