Kick off the week! Meet up with peers at Cays Lounge, located next to Symposium 2018 registration desk
 Cays Lounge Menu

Registration & Member Support is available from 7am to 5:30pm.  

8:30am – Noon (30 minute break)

 

Many attorneys have not yet come to terms with the fact that they will stop practicing law one day. At the same time, a new generation of attorneys lacks mentoring that was traditionally provided in the past, and this creates exciting opportunities for forward-thinking attorneys who are approaching retirement.  We will explore and learn the following

Monday, July 30, 2018

8:30am – 12:00pm (Total of 30 minute break)

 

• Overview of the federal tax treatment of common business entities, goals for the course, what will and will not be covered, gathering and confirmation of “hot” topics from the audience
• The fundamentals of basis, realization, and recognition in the federal tax system
• The “Split Personality” of business entities and the tax implications to owners and the entities of forming various business entities
• Show me the money! Where and how income or loss from operations flows to owners of various business entities (and the resulting impact on basis)
• Let’s get to baking! We’ll introduce our client, Susan Bates, the entrepreneur behind Susan’s Cupcakes. We’ll explore which of the various business entities and tax statuses are good fits for Susan based on her goals. We’ll also explore some strategies and techniques you can use to obtain background information from clients like Susan.

Join us this summer for a gathering with your California colleagues and friends. We have a variety of California specific topics planned. New this year, we will be including a one-hour session on the topic of substance abuse, and a WealthCounsel hosted luncheon where you will have time to collaborate and share best practices with your peers. See you soon!

 

8:30am - 8:45am        Opening Remarks

8:45am - 10:15am        Unique Issues for Special Needs Trusts in California and CalABLE Act

10:15am - 10:45am       Networking Break

10:45am - 12:00pm     Wealth® Docx Scenarios Part II

12:00pm - 1:00pm       Networking Lunch, hosted by WealthCounsel

1:30pm - 2:30pm         Managing Basis and Minimizing California Real Property and Income Taxes

2:30pm - 3:30pm        Substance Abuse in the Legal Profession: Prevention, Detection, and Treatment

3:30pm - 4:00pm       Networking Break

4:00pm - 5:00pm       The Practitioners' Panel on California Estate Planning

 

Please Note:

Approved - 4.50 General Credits in California

Pending Approval - 1.0 Competence Issues (substance abuse) Credit in California

 

1:30pm – 5:00pm (30 minute break)

 

Advanced estate planning involves sophisticated strategies to help clients preserve their wealth during their lives and pass it to their intended beneficiaries in the most efficient manner at their death. This “Introduction to Advanced Planning” course provides a foundational overview and is designed for attorneys with a basic knowledge of estate planning and who are ready to up their game (and increase their revenue) by providing more sophisticated options for their clients. We will learn and understand the following:

Monday, July 30, 2018

1:30pm – 5:00pm (Total of 30 minute break)

(For Part 1, please also choose 8:30am – 12:00pm session)

 

This is a 2-part foundational course on the federal tax treatment of businesses. Using a case study approach, we’ll go through the lifecycle of a business, discussing the implications of critical tax decisions made during formation, operations, and exit. No prerequisites!

 

During this Part 2 afternoon session, we will continue to explore and learn key takeaway tips and tools to build helpful strategies to serve these type clients:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.         Why learn the basics of business taxation?

1.1.      Command higher fees

1.2.      Keep clients in house

1.3.      Expand your toolbox

2.         Concepts of basis, realization, and recognition in the federal tax system

2.1.      How basis, realization, recognition, and “boot” operate when transferring property into (and out of) business entities

2.2.      The impact of various transactions on an owner’s basis in an entity

3.         Demystifying the “split personality” of business entities

3.1.      Common types of domestic business entities (sole proprietorships, LLCs, partnerships, and corporations)

3.2.      Common types of federal tax statuses for domestic businesses (disregarded entity, partnership, S Corp, and C Corp)

3.3.      How the common types of federal tax statuses work with state-law governed domestic business entities, like LLCs, corporations, and partnerships

4.         A comparison of each federal tax status and its impact on the owner’s net cash from operations

5.         Common strategies for adding new owners to a business and the impact of federal tax status decisions

6.         Tax implications of staffing the business with employees versus independent contractors

7.         The impact of federal tax status on exit strategies for business owners

8.         Common documents and records that must be maintained by the business

9.         Partnering with CPAs and other professional advisors in representing business clients

 

We will not be discussing discounting, gift strategies, or other estate planning-oriented uses of business entities during this course. The focus of this course is on the federal income tax treatment of operating businesses, such as mom-and-pop shops, restaurants, real estate businesses, etc.
 

 

Breakfast 6:30am - 8am - Exhibit Hall

(coffee served throughout the day)

Information coming soon

Recent tax reform has, among other changes, temporarily doubled the estate and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions. Such changes may have rendered more traditional estate planning techniques ineffective for certain clients and created greater opportunities for others. This session discusses estate planning opportunities created by the changes to the tax laws, and how such plans should be made flexible in order to remain viable after the changes sunset in a few years.

Estate planning and elder law are closely related. In fact, some refer to elder law as comprehensive estate planning. Join ElderCounsel and WealthCounsel principals as they discuss the interplay between estate planning and elder law, and how you can effectively incorporate both into your practice.

www.stewartdesignllc.com

 

Presenter Name: Blake Stewart, founder and CEO

 

Your Brand Matters

 

This presentation will explain the impact of logo design and branding on your business. It will cover how a professional brand will impact your company, what makes an effective logo, and explain the different types of logo design and their uses. It will also provide insight into helping you build strong brand recognition with your client base, that will help you generate more business by creating brand familiarity. If someone is in need of your service, you want them to think of your company, your brand. This is what ultimately leads consumers to contact you over your competitors. This presentation will provide you with the knowledge you need to make that happen.

 

Presenter Bio:

Blake Stewart is the owner and founder of Stewart Design, a graphic design and print firm specializing in logo design, branding, and the design and production of high-quality print materials. Since 2006, Stewart Design has collaborated with over 1,100 businesses worldwide, developing a reputation of quality and professionalism. Stewart Design is also a Veteran-Owned Business.

Sponsor: Integrity Marketing Solutions

https://www.integritymarketingsolutions.com/

 

Presenter: Jennifer Campbell Goddard, CEO

 

Five Steps to Restoring Trust and Launching Your Breakout Year

 

Successful marketing is all about leadership. Before focusing on clicks, funnels or closing ratios, law firm marketing must address the core issue of leadership, which is trust. In this session you’ll learn a five-step process to create a trust-based marketing plan to launch your practice to break-out performance.

 

Presenter Bio

Estate planning and elder law attorneys across the country credit Jennifer C. Goddard for helping them achieve success in growing their practices’ and increasing their profitability. Her knowledge of a law firm’s business side is deftly woven with marketing expertise and sage advice. Jennifer has been at the helm of Integrity Marketing Solutions since 1995. She also owns and operates Legacy Ranch in Colorado Springs, a working ranch and retreat center dedicated to helping attorneys find their voice, discover their story and tell it in a true, compelling way that touches people’s hearts. She comes to marketing from a background in journalism, having served for nearly a decade as a managing editor and award-winning reporter. She has been honored by both the Missouri Press Association and the University of Missouri-Columbia (UMC) for Excellence in Journalism. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UMC and a master’s in business strategy, management and leadership from Michigan State University.

http://www.foxrothschild.com/

 

Presenter: Peter Myers, J.D, and Ken Abdo, J.D.

 

Estate Planning for Special Cases: Athletes, Celebrities, Entertainers, and Selected Others—Planning for the ACES

 

Gain an overview of the unique estate planning aspects and considerations involved when representing atypical clients such as athletes, celebrities, entertainers and other “special cases” [judges, politicians, etc.].

 

Presenter Bios:

Peter Myers is a Partner with Fox Rothschild LLP, based in San Francisco. He is certified as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California's Board of Legal Specialization. Handling high-net-worth planning, business succession, and trusts and estates disputes, he guides individuals and families who need a reliable relationship with a caring, experienced lawyer who will assist them in times of greatest personal opportunity, life event, or crisis. Peter frequently writes and teaches in the areas of estate planning, family business entities and estate planning and has authored and published treatises, books and articles. He regularly speaks throughout the country on topics of interest to wealthy families and their advisers, as well as at professional conventions. Peter also offers popular educational seminars and training courses for consumers, attorneys, business owners, accountants, and other related professionals, including the annual Fiduciary Attorney Summit (to be held this year in Santa Barbara).

 

Ken Abdo is a Partner with Fox Rothschild LLP, based in Minneapolis. For more than 30 years, Ken has served as legal counsel to artists, creators and businesses in music, film, TV, theater, media and publishing. His clients include prominent individuals, collaborators and businesses in the creative and commercial arts, including multiple Grammy® award recipients, gold and platinum recording artists, Emmy® and other award winners. His practice spans across all media and entertainment platforms. Harnessing his years of experience as a musician and entertainer, Ken has extensive experience working with developing, established and legacy artists as well as their estates.

https://www.lodmell.com/

 

Presenter: Douglass S. Lodmell, J.D., LL.M., Founder, Asset Protection Council®, Managing Partner and Co-Founder 

 

Integrating Asset Protection into Your Estate Planning Practice

 

Understanding the complicated options available to protect your client’s assets has become a critical component of your job as an estate planner. Join Douglass Lodmell, J.D., LL.M., as he presents the tools and information you need to educate your clients in this complex area of law and shares his unique insights on how to make asset protection planning a core component of your practice. During this presentation he’ll discuss:

• Understanding Offshore Options: Offshore LLC's, Foreign Asset Protection Trusts (FAPT), and when these are appropriate for your clients.

• Understanding the Domestic tools: Corporations, Limited Partnerships, LLC's, Domestic Asset Protection Trusts (DAPT), irrevocable trusts, and when these are appropriate for your clients.

• Understanding other unique planning tools: hybrid trusts and other asset protection instruments.

 

Speaker Bio:

Douglass Lodmell is the Founder of the Asset Protection Council®, and the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Lodmell & Lodmell, P.C., recognized as one of the nation’s leading asset protection law firms. In addition to holding a Juris Doctorate from Cardozo School of Law, Mr. Lodmell has an advanced law degree (LL.M.) in taxation from NYU School of Law. Douglass is a leader in the Asset Protection community and is the creator of the breakthrough concept of “The Bridge Trust®.” He has authored numerous articles for professional journals, as well as a popular book about the explosion of lawsuits in America called, The Lawsuit Lottery: The Hijacking of Justice in America. Doug’s extensive experience makes him a frequent guest speaker at professional conferences and seminars throughout the country. where he teaches the concepts of asset protection to other attorneys.

This session will cover the anatomy of a Qualified Valuation and how to use it to enhance the value of your client’s business. Attendees will also learn about each of the 10 exit options and how to explain them technically. Help your referral sources generate more, significant clients for themselves and for you through message, process, counseling, fee quoting, and legal know-how. Leave this presentation with a business plan, checklists, marketing materials, powerpoint presentations, and a way to go home and make money.

Join Wealth Docx Executive Editor Henna Shah to learn what is new and what is to come in WealthCounsel’s premier drafting product.

Although estate tax planning may no longer be of great concern for most Americans due to the high exemption amount, asset protection remains a priority for most. This session discusses various asset protection opportunities, explores some case studies highlighting effective techniques, and shares other case studies warning of potential pitfalls.

The new 20% deduction under Internal Revenue Code Section 199A revolutionizes small business taxation and provides significant planning opportunities to attorneys and their clients. This session explores the opportunities and limitations of Internal Revenue Code Section 199A with a focus on how you can design strategies that help your clients optimize the deduction and avoid limitations.

During Part 1, attendees learn how to have a successful law practice by creating effective systems and procedures measuring firm performance, quantifying efforts, and effectively communicating with staff.

The Parental Protection Trust strategy provides a new way of serving clients concerned with long-term care costs and open to incorporating hybrid life insurance products to help fund that care. This session discusses who might be appropriate for this type of planning and how to talk to referral sources about this type of asset protection strategy.

Changing times, changing tax law, changing strategic goals can get us to wondering whether our clients are in the right business entity. This program will serve as a guide for assessing the propriety of a conversion, and help navigate you through the process when it's time for your clients to make the switch.

Stephen W. Dale discusses creative strategies to get the best result not only from a benefits perspective, but also to maximize independence for the beneficiary while minimizing taxes. These strategies include using ABLE Accounts, True Link Cards, designating qualified plans to the special needs trust as well as using distribution plans. Also discussed will be the value of team planning with your referral source.

Welcome to the NEW Internet age. In 2017 a new form of wealth exploded, creating a new generation of millionaires though Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, and the emergence of blockchain technology companies. But the new tech—and new wealth—isn't limited to younger generations. Learn how cryptocurrencies and the newest world of tech wealth will impact your practice, and the planning challenges and opportunities that await.

In Part 2, see the "State of the Union" in action. It starts with a look back at the prior year, recognizing accomplishments and other items of note, and finishes with goal-setting and creating an action plan for the year. Learn how to prepare for a “State of the Union,” and how to generate excitement and commitment from the team through your communication.

For most estate planning clients, a large portion of their estates is comprised of retirement assets. Such assets pose unique concerns for clients, as improper care could result in the loss of the tax deferral benefits for beneficiaries. This session explores estate planning with retirement assets and discusses straight-forward—as well as more creative—strategies to optimize the tax deferral benefits of such assets.

Shifts in the long-term care insurance market have spawned new insurance products that are rapidly gaining momentum, such as life-insurance based products with hybrid and traditional models to cover long-term care. These policies offer life insurance coverage combined with the ability to use the full death benefit during lifetime to cover long-term care costs. Due to their popularity, ElderCounsel has designed the Parental Protection Trust to take advantage of the changing marketplace. Learn how to draft the ideal PPT and create the optimal plan for clients taking advantage of the new products.

A+ clients do not arrive at your practice by accident or chance. Instead, they are cultivated with a process that builds engagement and motivation of desirable clients while discouraging undesirable clients from working with your firm. This session describes the system that results in prospects you want to work with coming to a consultation ready to write a check, while also removing the tire-kickers from your calendar. This session will include examples for both an estate planning attorney and for business focused attorneys.

Whether it’s a relative, professional fiduciary, or a financial institution, representing the Trustees of Special Needs Trusts is a complicated matter. Learn how to counsel your clients appropriately to avoid the many hazards that can occur when public benefits are involved, while creating an additional income stream for your practice.

Malpractice claims against estate planning attorneys are on the rise.  Estate planning is plagued with ethical issues, many of which are difficult to spot, much less navigate. This session provides you with an update on malpractice litigation and covers complex issues involved with conflicts of interests, diminished legal capacity, and much more. Learn how to protect your practice by proactively identifying risky situations and thoughtfully responding to unanticipated problems.

Balancing Medicaid with VA Pension planning can be challenging. Having to deal with IRAs adds another layer of complexity. Join Dale Krause for a look at how to manage the balancing act of Medicaid and VA, as well as effective strategies for dealing with IRAs and other assets when planning for seniors.

Open workplans. Medical marijuana. Bathroom signs. FMLA. Bartering. Unlimited PTO. “Casual” workplaces and dress codes. Virtual employees. Nerf guns. Beer coolers… Are you properly navigating the Minefield of the Modern Workplace? Not knowing the law could cost you! Join Galia Aharoni to learn about recent changes in the law that affect your clients' businesses and employees...and yours too!

Drafting special needs trusts correctly is a crucial part of a special needs planning practice. But are you overlooking other important documents as part of the planning package? This session looks at drafting "musts" for self-settled and third party special needs trusts, as well as trustee instructions, ISM reporting letters, letters to the Social Security Administration, and more.

Reception - come join us for some fun!  

WealthCounsel wants to hear your feedback regardless of whether you use Wealth Docx online or on the desktop. More specifically, we will be discussing current Wealth Docx online features and member’s experiences in working with the product to help us understand how we can best improve these features.

BREAKFAST & LEARN (breakfast included)

 

Sponsor: Practice42

http://www.practice42.com 

 

Presenter: Audrey Ehrhardt, Esquire, CBC

 

The 365 Day Strategic Marketing Plan!

 

Description:

The daily marketing plan that you can successfully implement for your law firm in less than 15 minutes a day. The legal marketplace becomes more competitive each day. Unfortunately, for lawyers this competition emerges in their local community not only from other law firms but from an increasing number of legal service providers. Most lawyers have little time and only a limited budget to devote to their marketing. Yet they need a comprehensive campaign that gives them an edge! We will share with you the four strategic areas where you can focus your daily marketing efforts to achieve real, sustainable results. Join Audrey Ehrhardt, Esq., CBC, for this dynamic presentation that will give you the annual strategic marketing plan you need, including step-by-step instructions you can use to implement it each day.

 

Presenter Bio:

Audrey Ehrhardt, Esquire, CBC, is the CEO and Founder of Practice42, an innovative consulting and full suite marketing agency for lawyers. Audrey has unique experience in building and running successful law practices and corporations nationwide. Her expertise gives her a unique perspective when working with her clients on the diverse challenges they face. A licensed elder law attorney and certified behavioral consultant, Audrey is a national speaker on topics such as elder law, advanced planning strategies for seniors, dynamic business development strategy and growth, marketing with today's technology and the science of team building.

Is your practice prepared for anything Congress may throw at it? This session discusses external influences that can impact your elder law practice while offering solutions to not just protect your practice, but to help it thrive even in uncertain times.

This first session of a two-part series will address innovative approaches to estate planning that practitioners can incorporate into their practice. This discussion is particularly relevant due to planning opportunities created by this year's changes to the tax laws. The techniques discussed can benefit even clients who do not have estate taxable estates, so it is paramount that practitioners keep abreast of recent developments.

Learn about sunny San Diego and win an Amazon Echo! Join us in the exhibit hall and test the knowledge of the Symposium sponsors. Each sponsor holds the answers to the San Diego trivia questions on your bingo card. First 3 attendees to fill up their card will go home with a brand new Amazon Echo!

 

Bingo cards will be available in the Exhibit Hall when you arrive for the game!  See you there!

Are you stuck in a practice that owns you? Are you taking home the revenue you want to live the lifestyle you desire? Do you have a team that supports your efforts or have you unknowingly adopted a family of employees? Nationally recognized practice advisor Steve Riley will discuss these questions and share strategies, helping you take your elder law practice from good to great.

In this second session of this two-part series, practitioners learn about specific novel estate planning techniques they can use to optimize their practice. More traditional planning methods will also be discussed, as well as creative ways in which they can be implemented. There will also be demonstrations, as appropriate, of how to use Wealth Docx^® in order to effectuate the various techniques.

https://4freedompractice.com/

 

Presenter: Craig R. Hersch, Esq., CPA

 

Using Automated Technological Processes to Overcome Rugged Individualism

 

Many attorneys in small and solo practices suffer from rugged individualism, meaning that we take on too many things that are outside of our unique ability. When we stay within our personal wheelhouse, we maximize profits and revenue. Learning to utilize affordable or free technological resources can unburden practitioners, giving them the freedom necessary to enjoy their practices and build a successful and motivated team.

 

Presenter Bio:

Craig R. Hersch is a national practice development expert who created innovative trademarked processes tied to his estate planning and administration practice, including The Family Estate & Legacy Program® and The Estate Settlement Program®, The Advanced Planning Expander™ and The Transitional Event Sequence™. All of these unique processes are designed to provide his clients comfort and clarity when navigating the complex legal, tax and financial concerns associated with planning and administering an estate. Through the creation of The Freedom Practice™, Hersch licenses these cutting-edge systems to help attorneys around the nation better serve their clients and make their practice rise above others in the quickly changing and highly competitive legal marketplace. His practice development expertise is showcased in Trust & Estates Magazine, a national trade journal for attorneys, CPAs and financial advisors. He also writes a national column on their website- wealthmanagement.com. Craig was recently appointed to Trusts & Estates Magazine Editorial Advisory Board on The Modern Practice. Moreover, he hosts three podcast series geared towards estate planning professionals, clients and trust administrators, and authors a weekly estate planning column published in Sanibel’s Island Sun newspaper, which appears on his firm’s blog at www.sbshlaw.com/blog. Hersch is a Florida Bar Board certified eills, trusts & estates attorney, CPA, and has an entrepreneurial background as a founding shareholder and director of a private state-chartered trust company in Fort Myers, Florida. As a law partner with Sheppard, Brett, Stewart, Hersch, Kinsey and Hill, PA, he is the author of five books, Common Cents Estate Planning (2014), Legal Matters When a Loved One Dies (2015),The Florida Residency & Estate Planning Guide (2016), The Estate Planner’s Guide to Practice Development (2017) and Selecting Your Trustee (2017). His work appears in several professional journals, including The Practical Tax Lawyer, Trusts & Estates Magazine and The Florida Bar Journal. A graduate of the University of Florida, Hersch provides his expertise as a featured lecturer at continuing education programs sponsored by the Florida Bar, the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, WealthCounsel, The Estate Planning Councils of Lee & Charlotte Counties, and The National Business Institute. Since 2005, Hersch participates in The Strategic Coach®, an international entrepreneurial coaching program based in Toronto and Chicago, creating business and marketing strategies he successfully implements into his law practice. His uniquely varied background in law, accounting, tax and finance enables him to deliver high-energy, dynamic speeches that provide lawyers, CPAs and financial firms with valuable information to apply in their own practices. He is married to wife Patti, and has three daughters, Gabrielle, Courtney and Madison of whom he is very proud.

https://www.quonticbank.com/

 

Presenters: Frank Melia, CMPS and Michael Bocelli, CMPS

 

Everything an Elder Law Attorney Needs to Know Regarding Trust Lending Options for Properties in Irrevocable Trusts

 

This presentation will cover how to qualify trustees/grantors for loan programs where properties are held in Irrevocable Medicaid Trusts. We’ll review a few case studies of families who have used their home’s equity to cover home health care expenses, allowing their loved ones to stay at home.

 

Presenter Bios:

Frank Melia, CMPS | NMLS # 62591 Vice President of Lending. Frank Melia has worked in the financial services industry since 1990, working as a financial advisor for the first 10 years of his career. Over the past 18 years, he has built a successful track record as a certified mortgage planner, with a focus on both irrevocable trust lending and reverse mortgage lending. In 2007, Frank received his Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist designation from the CMPS Institute in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Viewed as an expert on the mortgage industry; Frank can be heard on “Ask the Lawyer with Mike Connors,” a weekly radio program broadcast on AM 970 The Answer and AM 570 WMCA in New York City. Frank is a resource to elder law attorneys regarding how they can help their clients navigate their trust lending loan options. Frank lives in Massapequa, NY with his wife, Jennifer and their teenage daughter, Julia. When not assisting families with financing options, Frank enjoys playing golf on the beautiful golf courses throughout the country.

 

Michael Bocelli, CMPS | NMLS # 38416 Vice President & Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist for Quontic Bank Michael Bocelli, CPMS. Michael is an extremely accomplished mortgage planner, with over 10 years’ experience in the mortgage industry, specializing in all types of residential mortgage lending. His honesty, integrity, and passion to help others, make him ideally suited for the mortgage banking profession. He has helped thousands of homeowners from the inception of his career and has established himself as a trusted expert among his peers, as well as other professionals who entrust him to handle their clients mortgage financing needs. Michael works with some of the most respected and highly regarded professionals in their respective fields which include, estate/elder care planning attorneys & law firms. Michael has been endorsed by one of his past clients on their weekly Radio Talk show, “The Optimal Health Radio Program”, on WABC 770 AM, where he has been referred to as “the mortgage doctor”. Michael received his Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist designation in early 2015 and offers mortgage planning services nationwide that include: new home purchases, refinances, home equity conversion mortgages (HECM, reverse mortgages), construction loans, and portfolio lending programs.

http://ultimateestateplanner.com/

 

Presenter: Philip J. Kavesh, J.D., LL.M. (Taxation), CFP®, ChFC

 

Why Seminars Are Still the #1 Strategy for Consistently & Efficiently Bringing Revenue In To Your Practice (and How You Too Can Do Them Successfully!)

 

With changes in the legal landscape and the continuous competition in the estate planning industry, one of the biggest challenges estate planning attorneys are facing today is how to create a consistent, predictable stream of new client revenue each month. This is why seminars continue to be the most effective marketing strategy for estate planners. But, if that’s the case, why do so many attorneys not take advantage of seminars? Never tried? Don’t know how? Tried and they didn’t work? During this presentation, fellow WealthCounsel member, Philip Kavesh, will share with you:

· How to overcome your most common objections and fears about seminar marketing

· How to use seminar marketing to reduce the amount of wasted time meeting with “lookie-loos” that never intend to do business with you or pay your fees

· The most common misconceptions and mistakes most people make doing seminars (and how to fix them!)

· How to get seminars up and running quickly and in a cost-efficient manner

The seminar marketing strategies to be discussed are all tested and proven to work, and are not just based on theory. Phil continues to do seminars each month for his thriving law practice located in one of the most highly competitive markets in the country. You don’t want to miss this talk!

 

SPEAKER BIO:

Philip Kavesh is a nationally recognized attorney, authority, speaker, educator, and technical innovator in estate planning. Phil has earned significant recognition and accolades over his approximately 40 years of practice as an estate planning attorney. Phil holds a master's degree (LL.M.) in Tax Law and is a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. He also has been awarded the Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Financial Consultant designations. Phil has served his fellow estate planning and financial professionals by teaching in the Golden Gate University Graduate Tax Degree and Certified Financial Planner programs. Phil was also selected by his peers and served on their behalf as the California Legislative Liaison for the International Association of Financial Planners and has represented the estate planning attorney community in testifying before State legislative committees seeking to regulate the estate and financial planning professions and to eliminate “trust mills”. In fact, several of the practice forms and client disclosure pieces created by Phil have been incorporated into new legislation and regulations. Furthermore, Phil was one of three attorney co-founders of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. He has also been an honorary member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys and is currently a member of WealthCounsel and ElderCounsel. Even more impressive are Phil’s accomplishments as a public speaker and professional educator. Phil has personally presented over 3,000 seminars on estate, tax and financial planning to the general public, to various major corporations and their employees, and to CPAs, financial planners and attorneys. His renowned seminars have been duplicated and sold to thousands of estate planning professionals and financial advisors in the US and Canada. Phil has devoted substantial efforts to improving the standards in the estate planning and financial planning industries by personally training thousands of attorneys and financial planners.

More than ever before it is essential to understand how to proactively implement strategies safeguarding IRAs as they pass into the hands of beneficiaries. This session focuses on the key decision points and planning strategies for drafting standalone retirement trusts (SRTs) that accomplish your clients’ goals in a tax-efficient manner.

Who is appropriate for proactive planning (long-term care planning)? What type of clients and referral sources should you be talking to? Once in your office, how do you help clients see the value of planning before a health care crisis strikes? Leave with answers to these questions and effective interview techniques to get referral sources and clients interested in planning ahead to protect assets from the high costs of long-term care.

Learn it. Draft it. Sell it. Buy-Sell Agreements are an essential part of setting expectations between business owners, and keeping them out of court and out of conflict! Join WealthCounsel's Business Law Advisory Committee members Paul Bernstein and Dan Capobianco to learn about the tax implications of buy-sell agreements, how to draft them, and how to position them with your clients.

Learn how to make sure beneficiary designations and ownership arrangements are up-to-date on retirement plans, annuities, life insurance policies, investment accounts, bank accounts and even real estate to ensure they are consistent with your clients’ estate planning goals.

Drafting a trust to qualify for Veterans Pension benefits involves numerous pitfalls for the unwary. During this session, we discuss crucial design issues including tax treatment of the home versus liquid assets, use of a testamentary limited testamentary power of appointment, choice of lifetime beneficiaries, and more.

This interactive session walks through several scenarios to demonstrate how to close prospect meetings successfully. Using examples from elder law, estate planning, and business formation, you will see several closing techniques and strategies demonstrated, so you can return to your practice positioned to end more consultations with the signing of an engagement agreement.

Is your elder law practice limited to Medicaid planning? Are you looking for ways to expand your services and help more clients? If so, this session is for you. Hear our panel of experienced attorneys discussing additional practice areas that can generate significant revenue and are a natural fit for an elder law practice—while protecting your practice from potential changes to the Medicaid rules.

Medicaid Trusts come with a number of design possibilities. And, if your clients are focused on creditor protection for their kids, then a Medicaid Family Protection Trusts may be the best option. This session covers how to draft an "ideal" irrevocable trust for Medicaid purposes, and to benefit those clients who are concerned about asset protection for their kids.

Part 2 - Learn it. Draft it. Sell it. Buy-Sell Agreements are an essential part of setting expectations between business owners, and keeping them out of court and out of conflict! Join WealthCounsel's Business Law Advisory Committee members Paul Bernstein and Dan Capobianco to learn about the tax implications of buy-sell agreements, how to draft them, and how to position them with your clients.

Taking a systematic approach to handling matters for your client allows you to ensure you are setting proper expectations and always meeting them. Effective workflows drive client satisfaction, create practice efficiencies, and ultimately lead to increased profits and better work-life balance. Learn how to apply a systematic approach and create effective workflows for your practice.

As discussed in our Tuesday session on legal solutions, led by Tom Ray, planning with retirement assets involves complex financial, tax, and legal considerations. Clients (and even some referral sources) may be left confused, resulting in inaction. This session explores how to encourage client and advisor buy-in and action on planning for retirement assets. We'll also discuss strategies for positioning, pricing, and incorporating these solutions into new plans for new clients versus upgrading plans of existing clients.

This session covers a summary of recent private letter rulings, revenue rulings, revenue procedures, and tax case law from 2017. This also includes how these developments will impact tax planning for clients going forward. After attending, attendees will be able to understand select revenue pronouncements from the Internal Revenue Service that impact tax-driven estate and business planning; analyze recent tax court and other judicial developments and the ways in which they will shape planning structures; and learn how to effectively plan for clients under the current regulatory and judicial positions.

As an elder law attorney, you have an incredible opportunity to be a resource and to provide services to other non-elder law practitioners, while also adding another revenue source to your practice. During this session, we will identify those practitioners, the types of services you can provide, and explore how you can increase your firm’s revenue as a result.

Go beyond the typical “checklist" tax and liability analysis when discussing choice of entity with your clients. In this program, we’ll talk about the need to understand your client’s goals and exit strategy for the business, and the significance of entity selection in relation to your client’s estate plan.

Join WealthCounsel's Director of Business Law, Heather Satin, to learn more about what is new and what is to come in WealthCounsel's business drafting software.

Being memorable in your marketplace is an essential component to a successful long-term marketing strategy. But, time (or lack thereof) is often the biggest hurdle for legal practitioners. During this session, we'll explore the importance of top-of-mind marketing for your practice, as well as share insights on how to operate efficiently, whether you have a large team or are a one-person shop.

It’s easy to concentrate on getting clients in the door and lose focus on what really generates new revenue for your firm. What happens once you sign up a new client? How you communicate with your clients and the consistency of communications among you and your staff, are important pieces that go into the “client experience.”  Building a positive relationship with current clients can be a source of revenue generation that you may be ignoring. This session will focus on ways you can clearly and effectively communicate with new and existing clients in a manner that enhances the client experience with your firm; from retention all the way through the signing experience and beyond with client maintenance programs.

Reception - Come join us for some fun!  

WealthCounsel Principal, Dennis Brislawn is hosting a Firearms Planning Discussion on Thursday morning, from 6:45 am to 7:45 am in Commodore B.  Stop by the exhibit hall to pick up your breakfast before joining the roundtable discussion focused on planning for or settling estates with firearms.

Would you like the chance to participate in the creation of a new product that you can use in your practice? This is your opportunity! We are developing a new product for Trust and Estate Administration and we need your input! The best products come from the people that use them. Please help us help you! Join us for this innovative idea session.

Learn basic techniques for eliminating stress, improving focus, and staying positive through the day-to-day stressors of working in the legal field.  Illumination Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting mindfulness, founded by estate planning lawyer Brian Ton, draws on techniques taught in various therapeutic fields and cultures, customized for modern day professionals.

We've gathered the top experts in the fields of elder law and special needs planning to bring you the latest updates in these areas.

With the doubling of the estate tax exemption, the estate tax has effectively been repealed for almost all Americans. While this has rendered estate tax planning practically obsolete for many clients, income tax planning has become an even greater consideration. This session teaches practitioners capital gains and state income tax minimization and avoidance techniques that have supplanted estate tax planning.

For most attorneys, the practice of law is an ongoing source of stress and anxiety. But there are three steps you can take—as soon as you get back to the office—to turn that around. We’ll share these three strategies, discuss the sound research behind each of them, and provide a plan for taking back your office as a place of calm.

Don’t miss the Closing Activities, you may be a winner!

Exhibit Raffles, Mobile App winners, & Art Auction winner will be announced at this time.