How accounts are titled and whether beneficiaries are properly designated are a critically important first step in the estate planning process. Help your clients ensure that assets are passed on based on their wishes.

This guide covers the complexities of gifting, including whether it requires reporting on a gift tax return, how to qualify donations to trusts for the annual exclusion, and whether certain gifts are exempt from gift taxes entirely. Help your clients understand the tax implications of different gifts.

For your clients, creating a letter of instruction to their family that captures key information, directions, and wishes can help alleviate chaos and instead leave a legacy of clarity, calm, and control. Learn why this can be important and help your clients avoid potential pitfalls.

Exchange funds can help reduce the risks associated with holding a concentrated stock position by swapping a single stock for a diversified portfolio. Learn how exchange funds can help your clients manage concentrated stock positions.

Once a year, we suggest having your clients revisit their estate plan to be sure it is still well positioned to meet their needs. Help your clients stay on track or make adjustments as circumstances change.

For married couples who want to structure how their wealth is transferred, a combination of credit shelter and marital trusts may be appropriate. Learn estate planning tips that can help protect your clients’ wealth.

Dynasty trusts are a key estate planning strategy for high-net worth families that want to pass down wealth over several generations. Learn how you can help your clients safeguard assets and control how their wealth is shared.

Having foundational estate planning documents in place can provide your clients sense of choice, clarity, and control over their future affairs. A durable power of attorney, advance directives, will, revocable trust (if applicable), and letter of instruction to your family are the five estate planning documents all adults should have. Help your clients understand why these documents are an important part of their estate plan.

Two strategies implemented by professional money managers—direct indexing and long-short extension strategies—may help your clients manage capital gains by seeking to create tax losses that help offset the gains. Learn how these two strategies can help manage capital gains for concentrated stock positions.