Seminars for Individuals and Families:
Estate Planning in a Whirlwind
The provisions of EGTRRA
(the 2001 tax law which changed the landscape of estate and gift taxes) are explained with and emphasis on the changes in gift giving, business/ranch succession plans and how to build flexibility into estate plans when the tax law is in flux.
Getting Creative with Charitable Christian Giving
Presented to church parishioners, this seminar focuses on the exciting possibilities available for charitable giving: from simple will bequests and cash gifts to charitable annuities, unitrusts, and how to (and how not to) make charitable gifts using life insurance proceeds or retirement benefits.
Health Care Decisions Week Series
(for Individuals)
Presented to nursing home and assisted living center residents and their families during the American Bar Association’s Health Care Decisions Week, this seminar is held at community centers and facilities on an annual basis. The thirty minute seminar introduces concepts such as powers of attorney and living wills, and also touches upon organ donation rules.
History of Ethics Applied to the Law of Death with Dignity
A 2,500-year history of ethics, from Socrates to Sarte, serves as a framework in which to examine the compelling issues surrounding euthanasia, assisted suicide and the development of the law of life support termination.
Issues in Medicaid Planning
The legal issues surrounding Medicaid eligibility are complex enough to dull the senses of most folks; this seminar bypasses most of that complexity and sets for in clear terms the basis of Medicaid (Title 19) eligibility. The seminar also includes a discussion of basic Medicaid and incapacity planning options.
The Right to Die
Is there a “right to die?” The history of the right to die movement, constitutional issues, and the cases of Nancy Cruan, Karen Ann Quinland and Terri Schiavo are discussed. The legislation in Oregon and the Netherlands are examined with implications for the social effects of legalized doctor-assisted suicide.
Who Lives, Who Dies,
Who Decides?
This seminar explains living wills, advance directives, health care powers of attorney and life support issues. Wills and trusts are also introduced and explained with reference to specific South Dakota statues and case law. A brief overview of estate and gift tax is also presented.
You Can’t Take it With You
This seminar focuses on the nuts and bolts of an estate plan. Probate and non-probate or will substitutes are compared and contrasted. The importance of the team to approach to any estate plan is emphasized. Even where a “simple plan” is desired, numerous things can go wrong unless all the team members (lawyer, insurance agent, financial planner, accountant, etc.) work together for the client’s benefit.
Seminars
Seminars, lectures, and presentations are made to community groups and professionals at no charge. Seminars include 2 major categories: one for individuals and families, the other for professionals such as financial planners, healthcare providers, bankers and human resource professionals.
To learn more about available seminar topics and times, please contact me via email.
Please note: Seminars do not represent the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Seminars are provided at no cost to participants as educational and informational resources to enable decision-making based on an understanding of the law.
Seminars For Professionals:
Estate Planning from the Professionals’ Perspective
Presented as an in-depth seminar to financial advisors, brokers and insurance representatives, this presentation covers cutting-edge planning possibilities with life insurance, retirement plans and insurance settlements. The rules of estate and gift tax are explained. The seminar concludes with “hot topics” and new cutting-edge planning techniques.
Health Care Decisions Week Series
(for Health Care Workers)
Presented during the American Bar Association’s Health Care Decisions Week, this annual presentation to nursing home and assisted living center professionals explains advance directives and living wills as well as frequently arising fiduciary issues, guardianship proceedings, end-of-life decisions and the law surrounding dementia.
Minefields with Fiduciaries
Presented to bankers and other financial professionals, this seminar explains the oftentimes overlooked hazards in dealing with fiduciaries and representative payees. The seminar demonstrates how to determine the authority of fiduciaries and how to read declarations of trust, powers of attorney and letters of personal representatives, guardians and conservators.
Scary Monsters for Nonprofits
Presented to boards of directors of nonprofit organizations (generally around the Halloween season), this condensed overview of the liability exposure of directors covers immunity and indemnification protections, the IRS’ ability to bypass director immunity, and the limitations of directors’ and officers’ insurance.
Who Taxed My Property?
Presented to comptrollers, accountants, small business operators and ranchers, this seminar covers the basics of real property assessment, equalization and taxation in South Dakota, with careful analysis and discussion of specific state statutory requirements and limitations.
Wild and Wooly World of the Stealth Tax
When (and if) the Estate Tax is permanently repealed, Congress replaces the death tax with a confusing and overlooked capital gains tax which can have a devastating effect on ranchers and individuals with highly appreciated assets or investments. This seminar explains to planning professionals the “stealth tax” as well as the options available to minimize its effect on the transmission of wealth in the 21st century.
Tel. (605) 342-1078
Contact: tom@gpnalaw.com