COURSE DESCRIPTION
Every trust and estate plan reflects the values of the client. These values are often rooted, consciously or not, in religious, philosophical or ethical belief systems. Some clients choose to make these values explicit in their plans and documents. This can be sensitive terrain for lawyers, not always familiar with integrating explicit religious, philosophical, and ethical statements into legal documents. Understanding the purposes of clients, advising clients about the real limits of what the law can accomplish or will allow, and drafting documents for these clients can be a major challenge. This program will discuss advising clients about integrating religious, philosophical and ethical beliefs into their trust and estate plans.
- Understanding and documenting client beliefs and the purposes they seek to achieve in trust and estate plans
- Counseling clients about what can be practically achieved and the limitations of law
- Anticipating possible post-mortem challenges and steps to enhance enforceability and mitigate litigation
- Practical guidance on drafting underlying legal or supplementary documents – and common traps
Speaker:
Daniel L. Daniels is a partner in the Greenwich, Connecticut office of Wiggin and Dana, LLP, where his practice focuses on representing business owners, corporate executives and other wealthy individuals and their families. A Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, he is listed in “The Best Lawyers in America,” and has been named by “Worth” magazine as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the United States representing affluent individuals. Mr. Daniels is co-author of a monthly column in “Trusts and Estates” magazine. Mr. Daniels received his A.B., summa cum laude, from Dartmouth College and received his J.D., with honors, from Harvard Law School.