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PEPC Newsletter
A BLOG ABOUT ESTATE PLANNING
No Legal, Investment, Accounting or Tax Advice. The articles published by the Newsletter of the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council (the “PEPC”) and their content are for informational and educational purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any investment, legal or accounting decision. The information contained in the articles is based on publicly available sources believed to be reliable but not a representation, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy, completeness or correctness. No information available through this communication is intended or should be construed as any advice, recommendation or endorsement from the PEPC, nor any member of its Board or Committee thereof, nor of any author or member of the PEPC, as to any legal, tax, investment or other matters.
Views, Opinions and AI. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author-members and not necessarily representative of the PEPC or the Newsletter Committee. Articles are reviewed and edited for content. We believe the information to be accurate and do not independently verify the sources used by the authors. Portions of the articles may be enhanced, in the author’s discretion, by Artificial Intelligence.
What Do Women Want?
by Beverly Bernstein Joie, MS, CMC On Thursday, March 13, 2025, in honor of Women’s History month, The Women’s Event Committee presented their annual panel, this year entitled: “Helping Women Craft Financial Legacies.” The event took place at Glenmede Trust Company. The members of this diverse panel included: Jane Scaccetti of Armanino Advisory, Jillian Kukucka of Glenmede Trust, and Beverly Bernstein Joie, of Solo Wise and Complete Care Strategies. The panel presented 4 case
Beverly Bernstein Joie, MS, CMC
Oct 24, 20252 min read
Revisiting Annuities in 2025 for Financial and Estate Planning
By Victor Levy & Jacob Clatterbuck Working with annuities in both financial planning and estate planning presents opportunities and challenges. In one instance, understanding the basics of commercial annuities (annuities issued by insurance companies) can help a financial advisor guide a client toward guaranteed income for life: the focal point of most retirement planning. However, because an annuity creates a “life estate,” it also is an asset with zero value at death; ther
Victor Levy
Oct 24, 20259 min read
Fall 2025 President's Message
by Jacklynn Barras To my fellow Philadelphia Estate Planning Council members, As we embark on another exciting year together, I am honored PEPC’s 2025-26 season, and my presidency, begins in celebration. First, at our September meeting, PEPC recognized previous board member, John Hook, Esq. of Stradley Ronon, as our latest Distinguished Planner Award winner. Throughout his career, John has worked tirelessly to advance the PEPC and the broader estate planning industry. Serv
Jacklynn Barras
Oct 24, 20252 min read
Ownership of Assets and Considerations in Insurance Programs
by Rick Davis, CPCU Extensive tax and estate planning for successful business owners and families is often the result of a long process of assessment, education and implementation on the part of a number of trusted advisors. As a professional who analyzes private client and business risk management and insurance programs, I often find that the planning isn’t always adequately reflected in clients’ property & casualty programs. This lack of follow-through can put the plannin
Rick Davis, CPCU
Oct 24, 20258 min read
From the NAEPC Engagement Committee
by Tim Zeigler and Kim V. Heyman Members of the PEPC Board of Directors accept NAEPC's Council of Excellence award. As you may have heard previously, the PEPC is a member of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (“NAEPC”). As a member of PEPC, you are as well! NAEPC serves estate planning councils with goals of excellence in estate planning, education and collaboration. In addition to providing great networking opportunities, among your benefits as a membe
Kim Heyman, JD, LLM, AEP
Oct 24, 20252 min read
Disability Insurance - Is this an E&O Risk to Financial Advisors?
by Ronald I. “Woody” Woodmansee, CLU, CEBS, MSFS Many years ago, I wrote an extensive article for PEPC with much of the detailed contractual features and language around both group and individual disability insurance (“DI”) contracts. Although that article (Fall 2003), and the details in it, are still very relevant, I think it is time to take a step back and educate fellow financial advisors (“FA”) on the need for a thorough review of disability coverage for their clients. Be
Ronald I. “Woody” Woodmansee, CLU, CEBS, MSFS
Oct 24, 202510 min read
Beneficiary Well-Being Trust – Panacea Or Panoply of Perplexities
by Joel S. Luber The Great Wealth Transfer . Over the next 10-15 years, estimates range from $84 to $90 trillion in wealth will be transferred from the Silent Generation (born from 1925 to 1945), Baby Boomers (1946 to 1964) and the older end of Generation X (1965 to 1979) to younger generations. The recipients of a large majority of this transfer of wealth will be millennials, also known as Generation Y (those born from 1981 to 1996). After that, Generation Z (1997-2012). Tha
Joel Luber
Oct 24, 202510 min read
EQ & The Art of Difficult Conversations, Part III
The purposeful prenups approach takes a stressful conversation and turns it into a way to talk about money and values.
Clémence R. Scouten
Oct 24, 20258 min read
EQ & The Art of Difficult Conversations, Part II
A 3-part series on emotional intelligence (EQ) by Clémence Scouten and Emily Bouchard
Clémence R. Scouten
Aug 5, 20259 min read
Spring 2025 President's Message
by Christopher Borden As we approach the end of our programming year, I am pleased to provide you with an update on the Philadelphia...
Christopher Borden
Apr 20, 20251 min read
EQ & The Art of Difficult Conversations, Part I
A 3-part series by Clémence Scouten and Emily Bouchard
Clémence R. Scouten
Apr 19, 20258 min read
From the NAEPC Engagement Committee
by Tim Zeigler and Kim V. Heyman As you may have heard from our President, Chris Borden, at one of our events, PEPC is a member of the...
Kim Heyman, JD, LLM, AEP
Apr 19, 20252 min read
A Pennsylvania Trustee’s Guide to ESG Investment Conversations: What Would My Father’s Cousin Allen Have Done?
by Renzo A. Cerabino, JD, MBA, CFP®, CLU Picture it: Brooklyn, 1985. [i] Roughly 11 years old at the time, I vividly recall grocery...
Renzo A. Cerabino, JD, MBA, CFP®, CLU
Apr 18, 202518 min read
Insurance Strategies in an Uncertain Tax Landscape
by Michael C. DeFillipo, CLU®, ChFC®, Partner, 1847 Private Client Group We all know the popular idiom that “[n]othing is certain except...
Michael DeFillipo, CLU® , ChFC®
Apr 18, 20258 min read
Navigating Change: Strategies for Amending or Terminating Irrevocable Trusts (Revision)
By Aaron LeClair, Esq. The original article was published on June 11, 2024 and has been revised by the author. Since the original post,...
Aaron LeClair
Oct 30, 20249 min read
Pennsylvania Takes Direction with New Directed Trust Act
by Brian M. Balduzzi Pennsylvania continues to emerge nationally as a modern state for trust planning with the execution of the...
Brian Balduzzi
Oct 19, 20249 min read
The Great Value Transfer: Redefining Philanthropy Beyond Wealth
By CJ Orr , Chief Executive Officer of Orr Group, and Michael Mallick , CLU, President of Valley Forge Financial Group In a world...
Michael Mallick
Oct 18, 202410 min read
When Personal Memorabilia Becomes Part of an Estate
By Clémence Scouten , Founder, Memoirs & More Family History Projects At some point in their careers, executors and advisors likely will...
Clémence R. Scouten
Oct 18, 20246 min read
From the NAEPC Engagement Committee
by Tim Zeigler and Kim V. Heyman We are very proud to announce that the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council was recognized as a 2024 5...
Kim Heyman, JD, LLM, AEP
Oct 18, 20242 min read
Fall 2024 President's Message
by Christopher Borden As we embark on a new program year, I am filled with excitement and optimism about the opportunities ahead. First,...
Christopher Borden
Oct 18, 20242 min read
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do: Divorce Risk and Spousal Lifetime Access Trust Planning
By Brian M. Balduzzi, Esq., LL.M. in Taxation, MBA, CFP®, CEPA®, AEP® and Lisa S. Presser, Esq. Many advisors are discussing estate...
Brian Balduzzi
Jun 11, 202410 min read
Flexibility and Philanthropy: You don’t have to decide now.
By Brittany Horn Cook, J.D., LL.M. This article will focus on how the philanthropically minded client and beneficiaries seeking autonomy...
Brittany Cook
Jun 11, 20246 min read
Countdown to the Sunset of the TCJA: Revisiting the Reciprocal Trust Doctrine
By Erin E. McQuiggan, Esq. and Kristina A. Miller, Esq. As every estate planning practitioner knows, the exemptions from federal gift,...
Erin E. McQuiggan, Esq.
Jun 11, 202410 min read
Spring 2024 President's Message
by Stephanie Sanderson-Braem, Esq. As we welcome the vibrant colors of spring, it is an honor to greet you as the President of this...
Stephanie E. Sanderson-Braem, Esq.
Mar 28, 20244 min read
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