In partnership with MyLawCLE, Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara (PLDO) attorneys Leah A. Foertsch and Gene M. Carlino led a seminar on wealth management and estate planning—Current Aspects of Wealth Management and Estate Planning: Sunset Preparations, Tailored Vehicles, Post-Mortem Planning, and Leveraging Philanthropy (2025 Edition).
The seminar covered strategies for selecting flexible wealth management vehicles, implementing effective post-mortem planning, and leveraging charitable giving to align with client goals amid evolving regulations. Attorneys Foertsch and Carlino also discussed preparations for the 2025 estate tax sunset.
A key provision of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act significantly expanded the federal gift and estate tax exemption, allowing individuals to transfer up to $13.99 million tax-free—or nearly $28 million for married couples. This higher exemption has enabled many families to pass on substantial wealth without incurring federal taxes. While the benefit is set to expire at the end of 2025, when the exemption is scheduled to revert to approximately $7 million per person in 2026, the Big Beautiful bill may increase the threshold to $15 million inflation-indexed.
“The potential 2025 estate tax sunset coupled with the proposed legislation pose significant implications for individuals and families with substantial assets, making early and informed planning essential,” said Leah A. Foertsch, Office Managing Partner at PLDO. “I am proud to work with my fellow legal professionals to navigate legislative changes and emerging trends that effect our clients and their families.”
The seminar was attended by legal professionals from across the country. MyLawCLE is a leading provider of continuing legal education in over thirty practice areas. As the 2025 sunset deadline approaches, PLDO remains committed to equipping legal professionals and their clients with the tools and insights needed to adapt and thrive.
“Our goal was to provide practical, forward-thinking guidance that professionals can immediately apply to client situations- in both the planning and post-mortem stages,” added Gene M. Carlino, Partner at PLDO. “This kind of proactive education is more critical than ever as we approach a major shift in tax policy.”
