This month’s “Year-in-Review” issue covers a lot of ground. The updates include: changes to Medicaid and Social Security (see “Benefits for Seniors Reduced,” by Bernard A. Krooks, p. 9), new portability regs (see “An Eventful Year,” by Charles A. Redd, p. 12) and new fiduciary reporting requirements (see “A Higher Calling,” by Gail E. Cohen, p. 19).
Practitioners also need to concentrate on their relationships with clients and their practices. In “A Decent Proposal,” p. 31, Avi Z. Kestenbaum suggests ways to help clients confront the realities of death and encourage charitable giving. And, in “Eureka!” p. 16, Patricia M. Angus discusses ways practitioners can approach the shifting dynamics of family businesses.
For those of you who are interested in what’s happening on a state level regarding trusts and other planning issues, I recommend “The State of the States: 2015,” p. 53, by Sharon L. Klein and “Which Situs is Best in 2016?” p. 61, by Daniel G. Worthington and Mark Merric.
Many clients need help planning for art or other collectibles they own, and practitioners are looking for guidance on this aspect of planning. To help us with our coverage, we’ve created a new editorial advisory committee: Art, Auctions & Antiques. The new members of that Committee are: Amelia K. Brankov, counsel to Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, P.C. in New York City, Alan Breus, managing partner of The Breus Group LLC in San Diego and Diana Wierbicki, partner at Withers Bergman LLP in New York.
Finally, I would like to congratulate our board member, Turney P. Berry, of Wyatt Tarrant & Combs, on his election to the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils Hall of Fame. This prestigious award is given annually in recognition of lifetime achievement and outstanding contributions to the practice of estate planning within the disciplines of accounting, insurance and financial planning, legal services, trust services and academia.