Conference Objectives & Description

This two day conference consists of a series of lecture sessions designed to examine in detail current developments in the estate and gift tax field; strengthen the practitioner’s knowledge and application of estate planning techniques to a multitude of diverse and complex problems; and to provide a forum for the discussion of important estate planning problems and their solutions. Sessions will be led by a group of conference faculty members comprised of estate planning and tax practitioners and legal scholars. Faculty members have been selected for their knowledge of the subjects, presentation skills, and ability to communicate.

Brochure for the 37th Annual Estate Planning Conference

37thAnnual Duke University Estate Planning Conference

October 15 – 16, 2015

Thursday, October 15
7:00 – 8:15am Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:15 – 8:30am Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:30 – 9:30am Topic: Review of the Past Year’s Significant, Curious or Downright Fascinating Fiduciary Cases
Speaker:
Dana G. Fitzsimons Jr.
9:30 – 9:40am Break
9:40 – 11:10am Topic: The Estate Planner’s Perspective on Recent Developments — The Year in Review
Speaker:
John B. O’Grady
11:10 – 11:20am Break
11:20 – 12:20pm Topic: Venn Diagrams: The Intersection of Estate & Income Tax (Planning in the ATRA-Math)
Speaker:
Paul S. Lee, J.D., LL.M.
12:20 – 1:20pm Lunch
1:20 – 2:20pm Topic: Coping with Death and Incapacity in the Digital Age—How UFADAA Will Help
Speaker: Suzanne Brown Walsh
2:20 – 2:30pm Break
2:30 – 3:30pm Topic: Ethics and Technology in a Trusts and Estates Practice
Speakers: David E. Lieberman and Steven K. Mignogna
3:30 – 3:40pm Break
3:40 – 4:55pm Topic: Getting to “Yes” with Your Client’s IRA Custodian
Speakers: Svetlana V. Bekman and Timothy H. Guare
 
Friday, October 16
8:00 – 8:30am Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30am Topic: Trust Design: The Most Important Part of the Estate Plan
Speaker: David A. Handler, P.C.
9:30 – 9:40am Break
9:40 – 10:40am Topic: Philanthropic Planning: Designing and Defending Charitable Gift Opportunities with Non-Liquid Assets
Speaker:
Donald M. Etheridge, Jr.
10:40 – 10:50am Break
10:50 – 12:05pm Topic: Trustee Compliance with the Prudent Investor Rule and its Evolving Progeny: Investing for Total Return Versus a Certain Level of Traditional Income
Speakers:
Benjamin H. Pruett, Brett D. Sovine, and Julian W. Walker, Jr.
12:05 – 1:05pm Lunch
1:05 – 2:05pm Topic: Ticking Time Bombs in the GST Tax
Speaker:
Thomas W. Abendroth
2:05 – 2:15pm Break
2:15 – 3:15pm Topic: Putting “Success” Back into Business Succession
Speaker:
Thomas J. Pauloski, J.D.