Estate Planning in a world of limited relationship recognition poses serious and complicated legal questions. Sometimes having a will is not enough, particularly when your client’s asset portfolio is substantial. Couples with disparate wealth may be protected by marriage at the state level, but the lack of relationship recognition and attendant tax benefits at the Federal level make it necessary for many LGBT couples to avail themselves of certain trust and gifting strategies that many practitioners are not familiar with.
Speakers: Anthony Brown, Tamara Kolz
Tax Issues & Estate Planning
Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples
The workshop will review the critical need for same sex couples to not only have certain estate planning documents such as living wills, declarations as to remains, health care agent designations, powers of attorney, wills and trusts, but also specific provisions which should be included in such documents to address the special concerns of same-sex couples. The presenter will also review some potential pitfalls of joint ownership and highlight some opportunities for same sex couples to minimize gift and estate taxes by taking advantage of certain opportunities available under the current gift and estate tax system.
Speakers: Patricia Cain, Tamara KolzFamily Law Practice Group: Dissolution
Come to this workshop to learn about the state of the law and get practice tips on marriage, dissolution of relationships (including divorce), life planning, and property ownership for LGBT clients. Not only will this panel include the standard issues about breaking up, but also feature collaborative law, a CPA to discuss tax issues, and how Massachusetts practitioners are dealing with divorce in the real world without the benefit of federal
laws like QDRO’s.
Speakers: Richard Wilson, Joyce Kauffman, Deborah Wald, Marge Kaiser
Family Law Practice Group: Estate Planning and Elder Law
Join experienced family law practitioners as they guide you through the critically important and challenging practice areasof estate planning and elder law for the LGBT community and hear the details of recent LGBT family law decisions and statutes by the chief legal counsel for the National center for Lesbian Rights.
Moderator: Suzanne BryantSpeakers: Deb Kinney, Jane Bassett, Elizabeth Schwartz
Tax Issues through a Prism: From the Big Picture to the Particulars of the States
The laws impacting LGBT people across the United States could hardly be more diverse. Same-sex couples in Massachusetts can get married, while Virginia’s legislature passed a law that purports to ban even “partnership contracts” for gay and lesbian couples. The panel will survey the tax implications of the many forms of government recognition offered to same-sex couples across the nation.
Moderator: Brian ChaseSpeakers: Kate Fletcher, Patricia Cain, Karen Stogdill, Steve Sims, Nima Eshghi, Paul DiSango