Webinar Schedule

Ahead of the Curve: Embracing 2024’s Legal Reforms in
Estate and Trust Management

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Noon - 1 pm (PST)

April 11, 2024
The McGee Case: SNT Trustee’s Best Friend or Worst Nightmare?

The landmark McGee decision sets the standard for SNT trustees in the proper administration of special needs trusts. This session equips trustees with an authoritative grasp of the post-McGee legal terrain, emphasizing the decision’s detailed directives on proper SNT disbursements for special needs. Failure to comply with this standard will be a breach of the SNT trustee’s fiduciary duty. This session will provide flowcharts and checklists to ensure all SNT trustees meet this new law and the legal standards set forth by the Appellate Court.

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Kevin Urbatsch

Kevin Urbatsch, owner of The Urbatsch Law Firm, P.C. in Berkeley, California, brings over 25 years of legal experience, specializing in the planning needs of individuals with disabilities. As the National Director of the Academy of Special Needs Planners, he has extensive expertise in special needs planning, having authored acclaimed treatises and represented clients in establishing and administering numerous special needs trusts across California and the United States.

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April 25, 2024
Strategic Medi-Cal Planning: Why OBRA 93 Trusts May Be Superior to SNTs

The elimination of Medi-Cal’s asset test has fundamentally changed special needs planning. Trusts that would have been unsuitable before the change in the asset test will now be the standard going forward. These trusts, called OBRA 93 Trusts by California law can now be used in certain circumstances to preserve Medi-Cal eligibility. Learn when an OBRA 93 Trust can be used in lieu of an SNT and how to properly establish and manage an OBRA 93 that preserves Medi-Cal and bypasses government repayment after death.

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Kevin Urbatsch

Kevin Urbatsch, owner of The Urbatsch Law Firm, P.C. in Berkeley, California, brings over 25 years of legal experience, specializing in the planning needs of individuals with disabilities. As the National Director of the Academy of Special Needs Planners, he has extensive expertise in special needs planning, having authored acclaimed treatises and represented clients in establishing and administering numerous special needs trusts across California and the United States.

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May 30, 2024
Never Too Early to Plan Ahead: How People Can Pay Less Death Taxes

The federal estate tax exemption is at a historic high but soon will be cut in half. In 2024, the federal estate tax rate is an enormous 40% if you have over $13.61 million in total assets as an individual. However, in 2025, the exemption will drop back to $5 million, adjusted for inflation. These numbers may sound like a lot but remember that ALL property is included in the calculation, and the thresholds are always subject to change in the political winds. This means not just cash and investments but also real estate, business interests, and other assets. We will provide a comprehensive overview of the tax, explaining how it works, who it impacts, and its implications for estate planning.  We will also look at five top strategies to avoid death taxes.

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Jim Cunningham

Founder of CunninghamLegal, bestselling author, UC Santa Cruz alumni, and Sacramento native, Jim Cunninghman is one of the most dynamic estate and tax planning attorneys in California. With 12 offices throughout Northern and Southern California, Jim is recognized throughout the state as an expert in estate and tax planning.

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June 13, 2024
Unpacking the New California Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act

Starting January 1, 2024, the Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act (UFIPA) revolutionizes trust administration, embedding modern portfolio theory into the fabric of fiduciary duties and asset management. The prior law, the Uniform Principal and Income Act (UPAIA) is no more. This webinar seeks to inform trustees as to how the new Act might affect the treatment of income and principal, as well as how this treatment may lead to subtle shifts in the way that fiduciary duties are approached. The rules regarding unitrusts have been vastly overhauled and the webinar focuses on these key changes.

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Nolan Arcos

Nolan Arcos is an Associate Attorney at Lagerlof, LLP in Pasadena, California. Earning his J.D. from William & Mary, Nolan developed firsthand experience aiding low-income communities in estate planning and conservatorship matters while working at their Elder & Disability Law Clinic. In November 2021, Nolan joined Lagerlof, LLP where he practices estate planning, trust administration, conservatorships, and other related matters.

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June 27, 2024
Keeping Your Sanity: Effective Client Vetting for Conservatorships, Trusts, and Special Needs Trusts

Join our expert-led webinar to master the art of interviewing potential clients for conservatorships, trusts, and SNTs, featuring insights from our speaker, and learning how to build strong relationships and achieve better outcomes. Learn how to ask the right questions and gather essential information crucial for fiduciaries and attorneys alike. Whether you are a seasoned professional, this webinar equips you with the tools to establish strong client relationships, leading to more successful outcomes. Elevate your practice by mastering the art of client vetting.

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Douglas Housman

Douglas W. Housman specializes in Conservatorships, Trust Administrations, Estate Planning, Elder Abuse, Decedent’s Estates, and Litigation, with a focus on representing California Private Professional Fiduciaries; he holds memberships in the Contra Costa Bar Association and the Tri-Valley Estate Planning Counsel. He resides in Benicia with his wife and 7-year-old son, Drake.

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July 11, 2024
Juggling the Tools for Persons with Disabilities: Using Supported Decision-Making, Limited Conservatorships and SNTs

This session delves into the unique planning landscape for individuals with special needs, focusing on three pivotal tools: Supported Decision-Making, Limited Conservatorships, and Special Needs Trusts (SNTs). Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of each tool’s legal foundations, their role in promoting autonomy, ensuring protection, securing financial well-being, and practical integration strategies. Through real-world scenarios and expert insights, this session promises to equip families, professionals, and caregivers with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the complexities of special needs planning, ensuring those they support can lead empowered and secure lives.

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Rachel Rosenfeld

Rachel H. Rosenfeld specializes in comprehensive probate law, including guardianships, conservatorships, elder abuse litigation, estate planning, trust administration, and litigation, with a focus on creating estate plans and representing older adults in disputes; she serves in leadership roles in professional organizations like the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and East Bay Trust and Estates Lawyers.

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Lara Heisler

Lara Heisler, with over two decades of legal experience, focuses on conservatorships and guardianships, residing in Walnut Creek and actively serving both the local legal community and her children's school through field trip assistance and annual fundraising gala involvement.

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July 25, 2024
Compliance or Consequences: The Stark Realities of the Corporate Transparency Act

In a landscape where regulatory requirements are constantly evolving, the Corporate Transparency Act has set new benchmarks for transparency and accountability in the estate planning and business world. This legislation mandates that LLCs, corporations, and limited partnerships report Initial and subsequent Changes of Beneficial Ownership to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Failure to comply with these requirements can result in steep penalties, accruing at a rate of $500 per day. This presentation will provide practical guidance on compliance.

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Deirdre Wheatley-Liss

Deirdre R. Wheatley-Liss specializes in Business Owners and Business Representation, offering strategic counsel on start-up strategies, growth, tax efficiency, and cybersecurity. She also has expertise in Data Privacy and Cybersecurity, Individual and Family Representation for estate planning, elder law counseling, and special needs planning.

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