United States: Trusts

Joshua S. Rubenstein of Katten's Private Wealth Department co-authored a chapter in the newly released third edition of the American Bar Association's comprehensive guide to international estate planning. The publication addresses the growing complexity of cross-border wealth management as families and assets increasingly span multiple jurisdictions. Written by leading international practitioners and tax professionals, the guide provides essential insights for lawyers, fiduciaries, family office professiona

Young athletes are earning significant income through NIL deals before turning professional, yet traditional financial advisory models introduce legal and estate planning too late in their careers. How can the sports industry better protect athletes' wealth by establishing coordinated advisory teams, trust structures, and comprehensive planning during the NIL era rather than waiting until after major contracts are signed?

Florida has enacted significant statutory changes affecting trust administration, probate procedures, and business entity formation. These reforms introduce streamlined nonjudicial processes for trustee discharge, expand access to simplified probate administration, and establish a new framework for protected series LLCs that offers enhanced asset protection and operational flexibility for estate planners and business owners.

High-net-worth individuals and private equity investors increasingly explore offshore trusts as sophisticated wealth planning tools that may provide enhanced asset protection, investment management flexibility, and multigenerational wealth preservation. Understanding the strategic benefits, tax implications, and compliance requirements of these complex structures is essential for entrepreneurs, executives, and families seeking to protect significant holdings while maintaining appropriate control and meeting

New York lacks a formal slayer statute but applies a common-law "slayer rule" established in the landmark 1889 case Riggs v Palmer, which prevents individuals from profiting through their own wrongdoing.

For families with substantial wealth, estate planning is often designed to prevent disputes. Trusts are carefully drafted. Assets are placed into entities or trusts. Professional fiduciaries may be appointed to manage property. Succession plans are developed for family businesses.

As Treasury scrutinizes aggressive trust stacking strategies that multiply QSBS tax exclusions, venture-backed founders and investors face a critical window to optimize their tax planning. The article examines how this powerful wealth-building tool is evolving and what stakeholders need to consider before potential regulatory changes reshape the landscape.

Estate planning is the process of setting out advance instructions to prepare for your future incapacity or death. Every estate plan is unique because every individual’s family and circumstances are unique.

As personal and financial lives increasingly move online, estate planning must evolve to address digital assets ranging from email accounts and social media profiles to cryptocurrency and cloud-stored business records. Without proper planning, these assets can become inaccessible or lost upon incapacity or death, creating legal, financial, and emotional complications for loved ones and fiduciaries.