Estate planning is about much more than just taxes Many financial advisors see estate planning as a tax-focused discipline. However, estate planning encompasses much more than just tax planning. It provides a great client service, deepens relationships with clients, and can be an integral part of retention. This is especially true now that technology is ushering in a new wave of robo-advisor services. Nothing beats a human team of highly-skilled professionals furthering a broad spectrum of client needs and goals. How to build the perfect client service team Building the perfect team is as simple as huddling with an estate planner, a trusted CPA as a tax advisor, and a financial advisor. Like any team, each player has a role. The financial advisor facilitates the growth of the client’s wealth, while the estate planner acts as a legal risk manager, and the CPA acts as a tax optimizer. Between the

Family discord that results in a will or trust contest can be costly, time-consuming, and emotionally painful for your client’s family. For you, the advisor, this disharmony usually leads to severely damaged relationships and a loss of assets under management. As we approach the holiday season and close 2017, it’s important to keep a close eye on your clients’ familial rifts and work with us to use proactive planning to mitigate the risk of potential litigation. Sometimes the holidays bring out the best behavior in a family, but other times they can serve to highlight the division and risk of conflict. Although no one wants to think about this issue at this time of year, it’s worth being educated as an advisor so you can have a discussion point while everything is still top of mind for your clients after New Years. How a will or trust lawsuit can begin