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For many individuals, the purchase of life insurance is designed to mitigate risks including replacing income in the event of a premature death, leaving a legacy for heirs, and providing a source of liquidity for the payment of estate taxes. For those focused on the last of those risks—providing a source of liquidity for estate taxes—it can be particularly beneficial to consider using an irrevocable life insurance trust to own thei...

Often, financial conversations focus on wealth accumulation. However, sustainability is also an important consideration at each stage of your financial life. It requires planning, discipline of following a budget, and the ability to adapt your plan as your life changes. In this episode, Laura Russo, senior wealth & fiduciary planning analyst for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, offers her insights on cr...

In general, the portion of a decedent’s estate value in excess of an exempt amount is taxed at a federal rate of 40%. When a decedent’s estate includes a significant and illiquid business asset, the administrator is often faced with making a decision on how to pay a very large tax bill within a very short window of time. It is important to know when a potential deferral of payment is applicable and the potential financing options f...

2025 is shaping up to be a critical year for tax planning. Many individuals took a wait and see approach to the potential expiration of some provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). Now that we have a better understanding of the priorities of the current administration, it’s time to be proactive and help you  understand your options and prepare you for when the law does change at the end of the year. Listen as Alvina...

Many individuals own vacation homes in addition to their primary residences. Frequently, these properties not only have significant economic value but also hold sentimental value. For this reason, incorporating them into an overall wealth and estate plan is critical. Select a plan that is appropriate for your situation. In today’s episode, Matthew Lee, director of Wealth Strategies for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office &...

The passage of the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) provides some much desired clarity on how the tax landscape for individuals and businesses will look beginning on January 1, 2026. While we are continuing to unpack this new tax bill and its ramifications, Josh Landsman, senior wealth strategist for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, offers outlines key takeaways along with some planning considerations in...

With historically high exemptions from federal estate and gift taxes, many families are turning to funding personal trusts to protect and preserve their family endowments for future generations. Unfortunately, beneficiaries receiving significant inheritances may not be sufficiently prepared to inherit family wealth. A personal trust can help families who want their heirs to receive more than financial benefits from their wealth. In...

There are several strategies to consider when looking to save on income taxes. One strategy involves lessening your amount of gross income, which comprises five methods, or pillars: deferral, exclusion, elimination, offsetting, and character of income. In this podcast, Tom Kelley, national director of income tax planning for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & Advisory,® offers his insights on how each of these pillars...

The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to reflect and reassess. And, for many, it’s also about making resolutions for personal improvement. But don’t forget about your financial health. Ensuring your wealth plan is in order is one of the most impactful ways to set yourself up for financial success and peace of mind this year. Alvina Lo, chief wealth strategist for Wilmington  Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, offer...

The stage is set for this year’s presidential election. Regardless of who wins the election, reviewing the scheduled expiration of certain tax code provisions enacted as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will likely be an initial priority. What might this mean for the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax exemption; the qualified business income deduction; and individual income tax rates? In this podcast, Josh Lan...

Estate planning can be complex, and many people want to do everything they can to ensure both their assets and their heirs are successful. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is to engage your entire family in the process. But when is the right time to bring the conversation up? Who should be involved? What should be shared? Listen as Alexa Broida, family legacy advisor for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & Advis...

As many successful families have learned over time, having a family wealth education plan in place for family members can be very empowering for the next generation. And when heirs feel empowered and engaged in the family’s legacy, a smooth transfer of wealth can result. Listen as Allison Pierce, wealth strategist for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, discusses how giving family members a foundational knowledg...

Long-term financial planning considerations, family legacy concerns, income and estate tax ramifications, transaction structuring, community and workforce impact, legal documentation, along with the reality—and finality—of “letting go” typically make a business transition one of the most difficult things a business owner will ever do. Listen as Stuart Smith III, national director of Business Value Strategies for Wilmington Trust’s ...

It often requires an intentional effort from parents to uncover and take advantage of moments during a child’s upbringing to incorporate financial discussions and lessons. Listen as Jerry Inglet, senior family legacy advisor for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, discusses how to leverage the preparation and decisions connected to choosing and paying for college for two purposes: helping to create an informed...

For many entrepreneurs, selling a business is uncharted territory. Not surprisingly, engaging the right team of experienced advisors to assist in the transaction may elevate their chances of success. Listen as Stuart Smith, national director of Business Value Strategies for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory,® discusses the value of hiring experienced advisors who have been to this “rodeo” before—and understand t...

Understanding state residency rules as an income tax planning strategy may be important for people who live in more than one state. But these rules can be complicated and tend to vary across states. Moreover, the state residency rules for trusts can be even more complex. In this podcast, Tom Kelley, national director of Income Tax Planning for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, deciphers some of the tests state...

There are good reasons a family may consider changing the terms of an irrevocable trust. For instance, maybe there has been a change in a beneficiary’s ability to manage family resources, or perhaps a new trustee was named. Fortunately, “irrevocable” does not necessarily mean set in stone. In this podcast, Jeff Wolken, national director of Delaware Trust Planning for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, discusses...

Discussing wealth and legacy plans with family can be challenging and somewhat uncomfortable, especially when family members disagree about the goals. However, having open communication about the family’s heartfelt values and aspirations can help sustain a desired legacy through future generations. In this podcast, Julie Weiss, national director of Family Office Experience for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory®,...