This presentation attempts to take the abstraction out of the traditional case study approach to legal ethics instruction, by distilling ethical precepts into bite-sized actionable steps that the legal practitioner can implement moment-to-moment-to-moment: strengthening “gut” instincts by thinking less and doing more.

• The “Modest” Estate Planning Client
  • Between $1-6 million for the single person
  • Between $2-12 million for a married couple
• Federal Estate and Gift Tax (Quick) Summary
  • Current estate and gift tax exclusions
  • Summary of changes in 2026
  • When you should or shouldn’t file a Federal Estate Tax return
    • Portability
• Fundamental Estate Planning Tools
  • Wills and Testamentary Trusts
  • Inter Vivos Trusts
  • Durable and Medical Powers of Attorney, Living Wills
  • Declaration of Instructions Concerning Disposition of Remains
  • Non-Probatable Assets and Beneficiary Designations
• Considerations for Distributions of Estate [Bulk of Presentation]
  • Usufruct v. Income Trust for Surviving Spouse
  • Income Tax and Basis Planning
  • Forced Heirship
  • Special Needs Considerations
  • Retirement Accounts and SECURE 2.0
  • Charitable Planning
  • Testamentary Clauses Potpourri
    • In terrorem clause
    • “Holdback” clause
    • Spendthrift
    • Survivorship Clause

How to resolve fiduciary disputes and handle fiduciary litigation, which are highly charged situations and often devolve into a professionalism morass under client pressure, in a professional manner

A presentation on  administrative and judicial developments in the areas of Federal gift and estate taxation, and charitable giving. The presentation will discuss regulatory and statutory developments in the past year, as well as provide an overview of federal tax decisions that address estate and gift valuation matters, the inclusion of assets within taxable estates, valuation discounts available when gifting, charitable gifting developments, and other matters relevant to estate planners.

This presentation will focus on estate planning techniques that may be used in advance of the "sunset" of certain provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

An overview of the beneficial ownership information reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act.

This presentation will cover how a very well prepared 706 may not attract an audit, even with a very large, complex estate. We will discuss (1) the bare bones of the IRS Form 706; (2) how the devil is in the details while addresses the six key parts of Form 706; and (3) delve in to the ingredients of the witches’ brew that makes up the Schedules of the IRS Form 706. We will provide tricks and treats along the way!

Members of Stone Pigman’s trusts and estates group and one of the firm’s fiduciary litigators will discuss strategies to avoid fiduciary litigation at the onset through clear drafting of wills and trusts. The panel will address the pros and cons of including family members in the overall planning discussions. Stone Pigman's litigator will also explore potential claims, procedures, and best practices when the gloves must come off.  

This presentation will discuss various ways to plan for the care of pets in the event of the owner’s death. Topics discussed with include providing for pets in wills, use of pet trusts and the tax implications of these estate planning techniques.

This presentation will review Louisiana law relating to challenges to wills based on an individual’s testamentary capacity and on nullity due to fraud, duress, or undue influence. In addition, the presentation will address several of the recent cases relating to these topics and will provide tips for practitioners in avoiding litigation relating to these types of claims.

A review of recent legislation and jurisprudence relating to the possession and disposition of property of heirs and legatees of intestate and testate successions.

In this presentation, the speakers will review the laws in Louisiana that govern the use and application of assisted reproductive technology. The speakers will address cases that consider the donation of gametes and embryos, as well as proposed legislation to amend the Human Embryo Statute. Finally, the speakers will present recommendations to consider when dealing with clients using assisted reproduction.

This presentation attempts to take the abstraction out of the traditional case study approach to legal ethics instruction, by distilling ethical precepts into bite-sized actionable steps that the legal practitioner can implement moment-to-moment-to-moment: strengthening “gut” instincts by thinking less and doing more.

• The “Modest” Estate Planning Client
  • Between $1-6 million for the single person
  • Between $2-12 million for a married couple
• Federal Estate and Gift Tax (Quick) Summary
  • Current estate and gift tax exclusions
  • Summary of changes in 2026
  • When you should or shouldn’t file a Federal Estate Tax return
    • Portability
• Fundamental Estate Planning Tools
  • Wills and Testamentary Trusts
  • Inter Vivos Trusts
  • Durable and Medical Powers of Attorney, Living Wills
  • Declaration of Instructions Concerning Disposition of Remains
  • Non-Probatable Assets and Beneficiary Designations
• Considerations for Distributions of Estate [Bulk of Presentation]
  • Usufruct v. Income Trust for Surviving Spouse
  • Income Tax and Basis Planning
  • Forced Heirship
  • Special Needs Considerations
  • Retirement Accounts and SECURE 2.0
  • Charitable Planning
  • Testamentary Clauses Potpourri
    • In terrorem clause
    • “Holdback” clause
    • Spendthrift
    • Survivorship Clause

How to resolve fiduciary disputes and handle fiduciary litigation, which are highly charged situations and often devolve into a professionalism morass under client pressure, in a professional manner

A presentation on  administrative and judicial developments in the areas of Federal gift and estate taxation, and charitable giving. The presentation will discuss regulatory and statutory developments in the past year, as well as provide an overview of federal tax decisions that address estate and gift valuation matters, the inclusion of assets within taxable estates, valuation discounts available when gifting, charitable gifting developments, and other matters relevant to estate planners.

This presentation will focus on estate planning techniques that may be used in advance of the "sunset" of certain provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

An overview of the beneficial ownership information reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act.

This presentation will cover how a very well prepared 706 may not attract an audit, even with a very large, complex estate. We will discuss (1) the bare bones of the IRS Form 706; (2) how the devil is in the details while addresses the six key parts of Form 706; and (3) delve in to the ingredients of the witches’ brew that makes up the Schedules of the IRS Form 706. We will provide tricks and treats along the way!

Members of Stone Pigman’s trusts and estates group and one of the firm’s fiduciary litigators will discuss strategies to avoid fiduciary litigation at the onset through clear drafting of wills and trusts. The panel will address the pros and cons of including family members in the overall planning discussions. Stone Pigman's litigator will also explore potential claims, procedures, and best practices when the gloves must come off.  

This presentation will discuss various ways to plan for the care of pets in the event of the owner’s death. Topics discussed with include providing for pets in wills, use of pet trusts and the tax implications of these estate planning techniques.

This presentation will review Louisiana law relating to challenges to wills based on an individual’s testamentary capacity and on nullity due to fraud, duress, or undue influence. In addition, the presentation will address several of the recent cases relating to these topics and will provide tips for practitioners in avoiding litigation relating to these types of claims.

A review of recent legislation and jurisprudence relating to the possession and disposition of property of heirs and legatees of intestate and testate successions.

In this presentation, the speakers will review the laws in Louisiana that govern the use and application of assisted reproductive technology. The speakers will address cases that consider the donation of gametes and embryos, as well as proposed legislation to amend the Human Embryo Statute. Finally, the speakers will present recommendations to consider when dealing with clients using assisted reproduction.