Silence is golden when you hold your tongue about the minor, temporary thing that just doesn’t matter much. But there is nothing golden about silence on estate planning, family business succession, or other things that are so very important that they are hard to discuss. A facilitated family meeting or mediation can help. […]
Certificates Earned in Family Business Advising and Family Wealth Advising
I am proud to announce that I have completed a fifteen month educational program and have been awarded both the FFI GEN (Global Educational Network) Certificate in Family Business Advising (CFBA) and Certificate in Family Wealth Advising (CFWA) by the Family Firm Institute. It has been a great experience: excellent faculty, comprehensive and thought-provoking readings […]
WSJ on “Sibling Rivalry and Estate Planning”
Earlier this month, in the September 12-13 edition, the Wall Street Journal ran a “Wealth Advisor” article by Veronica Dagher. In “Sibling Rivalry and Estate Planning”, she highlighted some horror stories of siblings fighting after a parent’s death. Sometimes the dispute is over significant assets, but commonly the family can’t agree on who should have […]
Kenneth Feinberg, 9/11, and estate planning
Though Kenneth Feinberg is thought of mainly as the man tapped, time and again, to administer victim compensation funds following high profile public events, he has a thing or two to say about estate planning. In the March 26, 2015 New York Times special supplement “Your Money”, Feinberg discusses lessons learned in “Money Admonitions From […]
Speziale Alternative Dispute Resolution Symposium
Last month, Quinnipiac University School of Law hosted the Eighth John A. Speziale Alternative Dispute Resolution Symposium. This year the symposium covered “ADR in Hard Times: Can Alternative Dispute Resolution Maintain Access to Justice When Resources Are Limited?” I was honored to ask to serve as a Resource Participant in the afternoon breakout session on […]
“Mediation for disputes involving trusts and estates: It’s an idea whose time has come.”
“Mediation for disputes involving trusts and estates: It’s an idea whose time has come.” That’s a quote from the program description for a Continuing Legal Education program presented by the New York State Bar Association. The program, “The Basics of Mediating Trusts & Estates Disputes CLE Program”, was co-sponsored by the Dispute Resolution Section and […]
Help preventing or healing family heartbreak
Around Valentine’s Day we hear a lot about romantic love. But family love is important, too, and a family break-up can be just as tragic as a couple’s. Sometimes it’s even worse. Family mediation among adult siblings, between parent and child, or in some combination can prevent or heal family heartbreak. A facilitated family meeting […]
The State of Connecticut Estate Planning
A few days ago, the meeting of Estates and Probate Section of the Connecticut Bar Association focused on the state of estate planning now that changes in the federal estate tax have eliminated tax planning as a motivation for estate planning for many people. The take-away message was clear: apart from tax implications, reasons abound […]
Mediation Talk to New Haven, CT Estate Planning Attorneys
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of giving a talk on meditation to the New Haven (CT) County Bar Association’s Trusts, Estates, and Probate Committee. The group included attorneys at every level, from those new to the bar to those who had been in practice for many years. The presentation covered two areas. First, […]
Difficult Conversations About Estate Planning
Many, perhaps most, families find it difficult to talk about estate planning. Parents may be uncomfortable with the idea that their adult children would have any input in the planning process. Without that input, parents may make decisions that seem wise, but are based on mistaken beliefs and impressions. Some may be uncomfortable informing their […]
