Improving the odds for successful gift-giving
How a gift feels matters as much as how it's structured. Three studies on giving well, including gifts of money. By Dave Jones, JD, LLM, CFP®, Director of Estate Strategy For…
How the 2026 rules work
The federal gift and estate tax rules, along with a few trade-offs worth weighing, are summarized here. Most family gifts never come close to a tax bill. As gifts to one person grow Up to…
Does your estate plan still work when a child moves abroad?
In this quarter’s issue, Dave Jones, JD, LLM, CFP®, Director of Estate Strategy, explains what a child’s move abroad can mean for a U.S. estate plan, and when a plan is worth revisiting.…
Estate planning considerations for selected countries
How selected countries treat trusts and inheritances, and where a U.S. estate and gift tax treaty applies. Country Key estate planning considerations U.S. estate tax treaty?…
GRATs: An Unexpected Bridge to Philanthropy
Our Director of Estate Strategy, Dave Jones, JD, LLM, CFP®, shares how a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) can offer peace of mind for family priorities, and open the door to charitable…
2026 state estate & inheritance tax overview
Key thresholds and rate ranges Several states impose estate or inheritance taxes at thresholds well below the federal exemption. Currently, 13 jurisdictions impose an estate tax, five states…
State taxes and the bigger picture in estate planning
Dave Jones, JD, LLM, CFP®, Director of Estate Strategy, and Mikhail Saliba, CFP®, Estate and Financial Planning Associate, outline how state estate and inheritance taxes differ from federal…
Avoiding Crypto Probate
Dave Jones, JD, LLM, CFP®, Bailard’s Director of Estate Strategy, provides a practical guide to wallets, exchanges, and trust planning for digital assets. Cryptocurrency ownership has…
Estate Planning Gold: Insights from Warren Buffet’s 2024 Letter
Join Director of Estate Strategy, Dave Jones, JD, LLM, CFP®, as he explores Warren Buffett’s timeless insights on estate planning, highlighting actionable principles to guide thoughtful and…
‘Tis the Season: Maximizing Gifting Exclusions for Family
Director of Estate Strategy, Dave Jones, JD, LLM, CFP®, explains how to optimize the impact of your year-end family gifting by leveraging tax exclusions for education, medical expenses, and…