Schedule

7:30 AM to 8:00 AM - Registration and Networking
8:00 AM to 8:15 AM - Opening Remarks & Sponsor Messages
8:15 AM to 9:30 AM - Roundtable Sessions

Roundtable Session Descriptions

Session 1

Two Heads are Better Than One: Estate Administration Case Studies Highlighting Collaboration Between an Estate Planner and a Probate Litigator

Estate administration matters can be complex and may require the expertise of an estate planner and a probate litigator with different skills and experience.  Jillian Hirsch is a probate litigator and Rachel Ziegler is an estate planning and estate administration attorney.  Together they have worked on several estate administration matters that required the strategic thinking of a litigator and the tax expertise and drafting skills of an estate planner.  Please join us as we discuss 2-3 case studies -- estates with disputes between beneficiaries and/or Trustees that were resolved successfully with collaboration and without formal litigation.

Presented By 

Jillian B. Hirsch is the founder of Hirsch Law LLC in Newton. She has extensive experience litigating probate and fiduciary matters at the trial court and appellate level. Prior to starting Hirsch Law, she was a partner in the probate litigation and controversies practice group at Day Pitney LLP in Boston, where she spent fifteen years representing a broad range of clients. Ms. Hirsch focuses her practice on probate and fiduciary litigation, counseling individuals and corporate trustees, beneficiaries, and heirs to resolve matters involving trusts, wills, and other estate-related controversies. Ms. Hirsch is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Fordham University School of Law.

Rachel Ziegler is the founder of Ziegler Legal Services in Needham. Her practice focuses on estate planning, estate administration, and trust administration. Rachel works with clients to design tailored estate plans. She counsels clients on a variety of estate planning matters, including estate, gift, and generation-skipping tax planning and wealth preservation techniques. Rachel also represents Personal Representatives in the administration of estates, including filing probate petitions, preparing estate tax returns, funding trusts, and distributing assets. She also represents Trustees in administering trusts.  Rachel is a graduate of Harvard College (A.B., 1998) and The University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 2003).

Session 2

Special Needs Trust Administration

Considerations in Special Needs Trust Administration Regarding Buying a Home, Buying a Vehicle, and Hiring Caregivers. For Trustees of Special Needs Trusts, the word “complexity,” is an understatement.  The needs of each Trust’s beneficiary are unique and require a bespoke approach to every request and circumstance.  Scott will walk attendees through three client scenarios that commonly arise when administering a Special Needs Trusts and provide an overview of the factors and options Trustees may consider when exercising discretion.

Presented By 

Scott Scales is a Vice President and Relationship Manager and has been with Rockland Trust since 2018. Scott is responsible for the primary oversight of the account administration and helping clients reach their short- and long-term financial goals through detailed financial planning, wealth management, and estate planning analysis.

Scott has worked in the investment management industry since 1987. Prior to joining Rockland Trust, Scott held positions at The Milford National Bank and Trust Company Wealth Management group, as well as Citizens Investment Management Services and Trust Officer at New England Trust Company. He received a BA from Campbell University in Trust Management.

Scott is a member of the Bristol County Estate Planning Council, Board of Directors for Milford Area Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors for the Arc of Bristol County, the United Regional Chamber of Commerce, and member of Academy of Special Needs Planners. Scott resides in Attleboro, MA with his family.

Session 3

The Massachusetts Estate Tax: Planning Strategies and Traps for the Unwary

The Massachusetts estate tax is deceivingly complex. With a $1 million taxation threshold, most advisors need to navigate this tax with their clients. Even estates of non-residents who owned property in Massachusetts could be subject to tax, regardless of the value of the Massachusetts property. It is critical for anyone advising clients with ties to Massachusetts to understand the mechanics of this tax and to recognize pitfalls.

Presented By 

David Raymon is an attorney in the firm’s Private Client and Trusts & Estates Groups. Dave is a JD/CPA, which has equipped him with a unique skill set that he uses to advise clients on tax and non-tax aspects of their estate planning, fiduciary duty actions, and other probate and trust-related controversies. Clients appreciate Dave's perspective on legal issues, which often include a very personal component, and his guidance in evaluating options.

Dave is experienced in assisting clients with planning for estate, gift, generation-skipping and income taxes as well as with wealth preservation, business succession and charitable giving. He represents clients in the administration of estates and trusts. In addition, Dave represents individuals and fiduciaries in all aspects of probate and trust related litigation including will contests and breach of fiduciary duty actions. 

Prior to joining Burns & Levinson LLP in 2015, Dave worked in the trusts and estates departments of Locke Lord LLP (formerly Edwards Wildman LLP and Edwards Angell Palmer and Dodge LLP) and Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP.

Session 4

From Deductibles to Donut Holes: How to Decipher Your Medicare Choices

As individuals approach the age of 65 and become eligible for Medicare, they are often confused about when to enroll and in addition, surprised and overwhelmed by the choices available to them. Options are plentiful and understanding the differences between Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, and what each option covers, is important.

Dianne Savastano, founder of Healthassist, will discuss the key factors every retiree needs to keep in mind as they plan for a successful transition to Medicare coverage.

Session attendees will:

1. Learn what traditional Medicare covers and does not cover
2. Learn what Medicare costs
3. Learn the differences between Medicare Part A, B, C, D, and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans

Presented By 

Dianne Savastano is Founder and Principal of Healthassist, a Massachusetts-based company founded in 2004 that specializes in helping clients navigate the complexities of the healthcare system.

Beginning as a registered nurse providing direct patient care, Dianne’s 30-year career includes roles as a hospital, insurance, and employee benefits executive and as a management consultant. Her experience has taught her to ensure that the healthcare consumer is at the center of the healthcare equation.

A frequent, sought-after speaker, Dianne has delivered programs covering a wide range of critical healthcare-related topics covering patient advocacy, Medicare choices, healthcare reform and more. In addition, she has been interviewed in both national and local media, including Boston Women’s Business, The Detroit Free Press, Financial Advisor Magazine, Consumer Reports, Yahoo Health, and National Public Radio’s Morning Edition. Further, she has appeared as an expert guest on the PBS Second Opinion Series and presented at the Massachusetts Conference for Women.

Dianne is a founding member of National Association of Healthcare Advocates (NAHAC), serving as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for 5 years. Currently, she serves as a member of NAHAC’s Advisory Board. She is a founding member of Massachusetts Healthcare Advocates (MAHCA), the first regional group of NAHAC and serves as Treasurer. She was one of the first members of The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates founded in 2009. She currently serves as a Springboard Member for HealthAdvocateX, and she is a Board-Certified Patient Advocate.

Dianne received her BS in Nursing from Rhode Island College and her MBA from Simmons University in Boston.

Session5

Pre-Expatriation Planning

The Rush for Multiple Passports Around the World - Does Your Client Have a Backup Plan?

Why are wealthy families moving oversees?  How can we, as advisors, assist them in developing a Backup Plan that will help them succeed when they move abroad? To determine the elements of an effective Backup Plan, Mel will walk attendees through three client examples to look at each family’s unique circumstances, goals, challenges, and Backup Plan.   The presentation is geared towards  advisors who have sophisticated and wealthy clients who want optionality in their lifestyle choices.

Presented By 

Melvin A. Warshaw has nearly 40 years of experience as a U. S. estate planning and tax lawyer. He currently represents U. S. and non-U. S. high net worth individuals, families and companies on a wide range of personal and business tax matters, especially in connection with cross-border income and estate tax planning and compliance in the U. S. He is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Mr. Warshaw regularly advises non-U. S. clients on structuring inbound pre-immigration tax strategies including basis step-up in legacy assets, avoiding the U. S. CFC and PFIC anti-deferral tax regimes, optimizing use of foreign tax credits, minimizing green card status as well as advising on and drafting of “drop-off trusts.” He also advises long-term green card holders and U. S. citizens on planning to minimize their U. S. exit tax through gift programs, managing equity compensation and by drafting “expatriation” trusts and considerations of a change of domicile outside the U. S. He has also counseled clients in complying with their U. S. tax filing obligations by engaging accountants and bringing such taxpayers into compliance with their numerous U. S. international tax reporting requirements. He has also advised on the U. S. international tax aspects of cryptocurrency, including how to become U. S. tax compliant and how to mitigate U. S. tax implications prior to and following renouncing U. S. citizenship.

How To Register

IMPORTANT

When completing registration, please select only ONE session to attend. 

Each attendee will be able to self-select to their session in the breakout room at the in-person event. 
Changes to selection will not be available day of. Please reach out to bepc@bepc.org with any questions.*  

This event is for BEPC members only. If you are interested in becoming a member of BEPC, see here. There is no registration fee required for this event

Approved (5/10/2022): BEPC is a CE Sponsor through the CFP Board.
S1 - Two Heads are Better Than One 6/7/2022 is approved for 1.50 continue education (CE) hours.
S3 - The Massachusetts Estate Tax: Planning Strategies and Traps for the Unwary 6/7/2022 is approved for 1.50 continue education (CE) hours.
S5 - Pre-Expatriation Planning 6/7/2022 is approved for 1.50 continue education (CE) hours.

BEPC's educational events may meet the requirements of Rule 15D under the Massachusetts Establishment and Administration of Mandatory Professional Education for the Practice of Public Accountancy.

Important Event Information: 

The health and safety of our members and guests is important to BEPC. Following in-depth discussions, research and guidance from industry professionals, and the data secured via surveys within the membership, BEPC’s Board of Directors enacted the following requirements for participation at in-person BEPC events. In addition, BEPC will also comply with all venue and government mandates (e.g., mask mandates, limits on gathering sizes, presenting vaccination cards, etc.).

For all events at a venue or locality with vaccine mandates, all attendees must present proof of vaccination onsite upon arrival at the event. Verification of vaccination may be done with:

• A CDC vaccination card
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For all events at a venue or locality that does not require proof vaccination, BEPC requires all attendees to complete a digital health clearance prior to attending the event. Attendees must submit proof of their COVID-19 vaccination OR proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours prior to the event start date. Once registered, attendees will receive additional information on how to complete their digital health clearance through CrowdPass.

• All attendees must accept BEPC's Acknowledgement of Personal Responsibility Form.
  
  
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• BEPC will require attendees at its in-person events to adhere to good personal hygiene and infection control practices, including;
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