In today’s electronic age of smartphones, tablets and laptops, it is a challenge for many working professionals to detach from their jobs during non-working hours. If you are one of those who are tempted to check your work email when you are not at work, you should be aware of the research findings of YoungAh […]

We are pulling together THE ACADEMY’S GREATEST HITS—1993 through 2013. There are eight courses that we’ll be offering to non-Members at no charge during our 20th year, (Members feel free to sign up and review!). Each week we’ll give you the summary of ONE course. You can begin the course any time you want. Once […]

In this video blog, Associate Director of Education, Steve Hartnett, examines the Obama Administration’s “Green Book,” or revenue proposals. The blog discusses the 5 proposals of greatest interest to estate planning attorneys. Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M.Associate Director of EducationAmerican Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300San Diego, California 92123Phone: (800) 846-1555www.aaepa.com

From friends and family to clients and prospects, we all have relationships that require some form of nurturing on a regular basis. Just like you know that giving Mary a dozen yellow roses on your first date is only one step in the courtship process, you also know that sending her one email (or one […]

The Academy recently announced a new coaching model for Members consisting of 11 Training Courses. Each course has a series of classes, and the subjects focus on major practice building systems and marketing strategies. They range from Strategic Planning to Marketing Planning to Staffing to Public Seminar Marketing, and more. This platform expands on the […]

President Obama recently released the Administration’s FY2014 budget proposal, including the Treasury’s “Green Book.” There were some interesting inclusions. Many estate-planning attorneys breathed a sigh of relief in January, when ATRA was passed with a $5.25 million applicable exclusion. More importantly, they were relieved by the certainty of the removal of the “sunset” provision in […]

Estate planning attorneys can use the popular TV program Mad Men to help their clients start conversations on wills, trusts and funerals. In the season premiere of AMC-TV’s Mad Men, mortality seems to be on the minds of many key characters. Ad exec Roger Sterling’s secretary tearfully delivers the news that his 91-year-old mother died […]

We are pulling together THE ACADEMY’S GREATEST HITS—1993 through 2013. There are eight courses that we’ll be offering to non-Members at no charge during our 20th year, (Members feel free to sign up and review!). The courses will be delivered one per week and the range of topics will cover every facet of your practice. […]

Often, there is confusion regarding the income taxation of trusts. There are two general types of trusts for income tax purposes: grantor trusts and non-grantor trusts. A grantor trust gets its status because the grantor has one of the powers listed in sections 671-678 of the Code. Some of these powers also trigger estate tax […]

First, a word of congratulations to the American Academy on its 20th anniversary, to be celebrated later this month in my own home base – the City of Brotherly Love. (And now to the blog…) All seniors, including your clients, might as well be walking around with targets on their backs. They are all prospects […]