Opening remarks and program information.

Stay up to date with Andrew Pharies‘ in-depth discussion of the most significant recent developments in California law and their impact on estate and trust practice. Covering key legislative changes, court decisions, and emerging trends affecting estate planning, trust administration, and probate litigation, practitioners will gain practical insights on how to adapt their strategies to comply with new legal requirements and mitigate risks for their clients.

In today’s complex family structures, attorneys need advanced strategies to navigate the unique challenges of estate planning for blended families. In this session, Rebecca O’Toole of Greenberg Traurig and Jennifer McGibbons of Sullivan McGibbons Crickard explore advanced methods to address these complexities, including when and how to use a power of appointment in blended family estate plans. By the end of the program, attendees will be equipped with the tools to create fair and effective estate plans that reflect the diverse needs of blended families.

Properly identifying and managing conflicts of interest is essential in estate planning to protect clients and avoid ethical pitfalls. In this bonus 30-minute lunchtime program, Peter Mott and Alyssa Sherriff of Brody Wilkinson PC will walk through the key steps of conducting a thorough conflicts check, from identifying potential conflicts among family members and fiduciaries to navigating joint representation issues, offering practical guidance on best practices, risk mitigation strategies, and compliance with ethical rules to ensure a smooth and defensible estate planning process. This concise yet informative session is a must for attorneys looking to refine their approach to conflict checks in their practice.

Navigating international estate planning presents unique challenges, from tax implications to cross-border inheritance laws and compliance requirements. In this program, Cynthia Brittain of Holland & Knight addresses common issues that arise when planning for clients with assets, heirs, or business interests with a particular focus on Asia. Sharing insights into key topics such as treaty considerations, foreign reporting obligations, and jurisdictional conflicts, these practical solutions and best practices will help practitioners develop effective strategies for managing cross-border estates and ensuring seamless wealth transfers.

High-net-worth donors are increasingly seeking customized gift agreements that reflect their philanthropic goals while protecting their legacy and intent. Here, Reynolds Cafferata of Rodriguez, Horii, Choi & Cafferata explores the key considerations in negotiating and drafting complex charitable gift agreements beyond traditional naming rights for buildings. This discussion involves strategies for addressing donor restrictions and will help practitioners gain insights into balancing donor intent with institutional needs while mitigating legal and tax risks.

Ensuring that an estate plan withstands litigation challenges is critical for attorneys advising high-net-worth clients and families with complex dynamics, particularly in light of Key v. Tyler (2024) 102 Cal.App.5th 365. In this advanced discussion, David Baer of Hartog Baer Zabronsky examines key strategies for drafting estate plans that minimize disputes, with a focus on no contest clauses designed to deter litigation. This program analyzes recent case law, including lessons on avoiding unintended consequences, and explores the enforceability of attorney fee-shifting provisions in no contest clauses, offering practical drafting techniques to strengthen estate plans and reduce the risk of costly legal battles.

Opening remarks and program information.

Join Bill Sanderson of McGuireWoods LLP for an in-depth discussion of the most important statutory and case law developments at the federal level and their impact on estate planning practice. Covering key legislative updates, recent court rulings, and emerging regulatory trends that shape estate planning strategies, practitioners will gain valuable insights into how these changes affect tax planning, wealth transfers, and trust administration, ensuring they can effectively advise clients in an evolving legal landscape.

For the past several years most estate planners have been concerned about the TCJA bonus exemptions sunsetting at the end of 2025. Now that seems significantly less likely, but if the last twenty years have taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected. In this presentation, Kim Kamin, Stephen Liss, and Christopher Seigle will review the vast array of tools estate planners have to assist their clients during these uncertain times, with a particular emphasis on drafting that maximizes flexibility.

Carsten Hoffmann of Stout Risius Ross, LLP and Kristin Yokomoto, Esq. of Baker & Hostetler LLP will discuss current trends with valuations, the importance of adequate disclosures on gift and estate tax returns, variances of the different approaches to valuing a business, application of discounts, and updates on valuation case law.

AI is rapidly transforming the legal landscape, and estate planning is no exception. In this program, Tracy Potts of Legacy Law Group explains how artificial intelligence is shaping estate planning practices, from automated document drafting to AI-driven risk analysis and client interactions, highlighting the benefits and limitations of AI tools, ethical considerations, and how to integrate emerging technologies while maintaining compliance and personalized client service.