Maslon Estate Planning Professionals to Present at the 2018 Probate & Trust Law Section Conference for Minnesota CLE

Maslon attorneys Susan Link, Michael Sampson, Julian Zebot, Diana Marianetti, and Kevin Rockwell as well as paralegal Cindy Costello will present at Minnesota CLE's 44th Annual Probate & Trust Law Section Conference on June 4-5, 2018.

During the afternoon of day one, Susan will moderate a probate panel of experienced probate practitioners—including Michael and Cindy—in which she will pose not-so-common questions that arise for attorneys and paralegals during the administration of a decedent's estate. Simultaneously, Julian and Diana will co-present a session titled "Professional Responsibility in Estate Administration," which will take a closer look at issues of competence, scope of representation, diligence and communication, attorney’s fees, conflicts of interest, attorney as a witness, dealing with the court, dealing with unrepresented persons, and compliance with rules for tax practitioners. Diana will also co-present a session titled "Planning for What You Hope Doesn't Happen: Divorce Considerations for Estate Planners," which will explore common issues from both the family law and estate planning perspective. The session will include practice tips on life insurance, buy-sell agreements, trusts, beneficiary designations, spousal maintenance, and more. 

Late that afternoon, Michael will moderate a panel titled "Large Estates Panel: Flaunting Flexibility – Keeping Your Options Open In a Temporary World," which will consider the various ways that recent changes in the federal and Minnesota tax laws might require a change in the way estate planners think about a number of issues, such as tax apportionment, the use of formula gifts, the value of discounts, and the value of estate tax avoidance versus increases to basis. The panel will also discuss how to evaluate when GST planning makes sense for clients as well as whether and when to use Minnesota-only QTIP elections alongside (or instead of) formula provisions. The following morning, Kevin and Cindy will co-present a session titled "Ancillary Probate for Snowbirds and Snow Lover," in which attendees will learn how to open an ancillary probate in Minnesota and snowbird states.

Susan is the head of Maslon's Estate Planning Group and practices in the areas of estate planning, probate, and trust administration. She works closely with families to plan the disposition of their assets, both during lifetime and at death, and to accomplish the optimal estate and gift tax planning for clients through wills, trusts, and other instruments. Additionally, Susan serves as the program director of Minnesota Wills for Heroes. The Wills for Heroes program, sponsored by the Minnesota State Bar Association, is designed to provide free legal services for the preparation of basic estate planning documents for Minnesota first responders.

Michael's legal practice focuses on high-end estate and tax planning, estate and trust administration, charitable planning, and business succession planning. Michael helps his clients focus on what it is they really want to accomplish with their wealth. After assisting his clients in identifying their specific wealth planning goals, Michael works with them and their other professional advisors to develop and implement wealth transfer strategies that are consistent not only with their goals, but also with their cash flow needs and tolerance for risk.

Julian focuses his legal practice on probate, fiduciary, and trust litigation as well as business and commercial litigation. He has counseled and represented individual and business clients in both federal and state courts as well as arbitration proceedings, and he has handled matters for clients at all stages of the litigation process, including mediation, trials, and appeals. Julian's probate, fiduciary, and trust litigation practice has involved many different types of contested estate, trust, probate, and elder law matters, including will/trust contests (including claims of undue influence and diminished capacity), construction/interpretation disputes, accounting actions, breach of fiduciary duty claims, fiduciary removal actions, trust instruction proceedings, financial elder abuse claims, and creditor claims against estates.

Diana works with clients in all stages of life to plan for both the expected and the unexpected when it comes to estates and business succession. Whether assisting a young family to create their first estate plan upon the birth of a child, planning an exit from a family-owned business, or helping resolve a dispute upon the death of a family member—Diana helps clients think through the key considerations, define priorities, and accomplish their goals.

Kevin practices in the areas of estate planning, probate, and trust administration. He enjoys working closely with individuals and families to design and implement a comprehensive estate plan that meets their unique personal, financial, and charitable goals—both during lifetime and at death—through wills, trusts, health care directives, and other instruments. Prior to joining Maslon, Kevin worked in compliance and risk for a boutique wealth management firm serving ultra-high-net-worth clients.

Cindy is a senior paralegal in the areas of estate and trust administration. Cindy assists attorneys with all aspects of estate and trust administration, including preparation of court documents, accountings, estate tax returns, fiduciary income tax returns, and distribution of assets.

For more information or to register, go to: Minnesota CLE's 44th Annual Probate & Trust Law Section Conference.