GEMs Podcast

The Election and the Future of Tax Reform: What It May Mean For You

The stage is set for this year’s presidential election. Regardless of who wins the election, reviewing the scheduled expiration of certain tax code provisions enacted as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will likely be an initial priority. What might this mean for the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax exemption; the qualified business income deduction; and individual income tax rates? In this podcast, Josh Landsman, senior wealth strategist for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, offers his insights.

Four Ways to Use Charitable Giving to Engage Your Family in Estate Planning

Estate planning can be complex, and many people want to do everything they can to ensure both their assets and their heirs are successful. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is to engage your entire family in the process. But when is the right time to bring the conversation up? Who should be involved? What should be shared? Listen as Alexa Broida, family legacy advisor for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & Advisory® shares four ways to engage your family in estate planning.

Empowering the Family Through Wealth Education

As many successful families have learned over time, having a family wealth education plan in place for family members can be very empowering for the next generation. And when heirs feel empowered and engaged in the family’s legacy, a smooth transfer of wealth can result. Listen as Allison Pierce, wealth strategist for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, discusses how giving family members a foundational knowledge about wealth and sharing the family’s core values can help prepare heirs to receive wealth and carry on the family legacy.

The Hard Work of Business Transition: The Best Way Out is Always Through

Long-term financial planning considerations, family legacy concerns, income and estate tax ramifications, transaction structuring, community and workforce impact, legal documentation, along with the reality—and finality—of “letting go” typically make a business transition one of the most difficult things a business owner will ever do. Listen as Stuart Smith III, national director of Business Value Strategies for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, discusses how a business owner may successfully navigate the final stages of a business transition.

Using the College Planning Process to Springboard Messages About Values and Financial Literacy

It often requires an intentional effort from parents to uncover and take advantage of moments during a child’s upbringing to incorporate financial discussions and lessons. Listen as Jerry Inglet, senior family legacy advisor for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, discusses how to leverage the preparation and decisions connected to choosing and paying for college for two purposes: helping to create an informed college pathway; and serving as a  financial education opportunity to discuss family values connected to money and resources.

This Ain’t My First Rodeo—The Value of Experienced Advisors in a Business Sale

For many entrepreneurs, selling a business is uncharted territory. Not surprisingly, engaging the right team of experienced advisors to assist in the transaction may elevate their chances of success. Listen as Stuart Smith, national director of Business Value Strategies for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory,® discusses the value of hiring experienced advisors who have been to this “rodeo” before—and understand the specific nuances involved in a successful business sale.

Understanding State Residency Rules for Income Tax Purposes

Understanding state residency rules as an income tax planning strategy may be important for people who live in more than one state. But these rules can be complicated and tend to vary across states. Moreover, the state residency rules for trusts can be even more complex. In this podcast, Tom Kelley, national director of Income Tax Planning for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, deciphers some of the tests states may use to determine residency for both individuals and trusts, and he offers insights on how to potentially navigate the complexities of these state-specific regulations.

Changing an Irrevocable Trust

There are good reasons a family may consider changing the terms of an irrevocable trust. For instance, maybe there has been a change in a beneficiary’s ability to manage family resources, or perhaps a new trustee was named. Fortunately, “irrevocable” does not necessarily mean set in stone. In this podcast, Jeff Wolken, national director of Delaware Trust Planning for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, discusses several tools available under the law that may enable families to modify irrevocable trusts.

Paving the Way to Discussing Wealth and Legacy Plans with Family

Discussing wealth and legacy plans with family can be challenging and somewhat uncomfortable, especially when family members disagree about the goals. However, having open communication about the family’s heartfelt values and aspirations can help sustain a desired legacy through future generations. In this podcast, Julie Weiss, national director of Family Office Experience for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, discusses a few ways to establish an ongoing dialogue that can be critical to maintaining family harmony and—hopefully—a lasting legacy.

What is the Corporate Transparency Act?

Business owners, tax planners, and anyone who works with business entities should understand the new obligations they will face next year under the Corporate Transparency Act—the most significant anti-money-laundering legislation since the Patriot Act in 2001. In this podcast, Kerry Reeves, director of Wealth Strategies for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, offers a brief overview of the new filing requirements that millions of entities will need to adopt as of January 1, 2024, and the potential financial and criminal penalties associated with non-compliance.