Wilmington Trust’s Get Educated in Minutes

Why is talking about family wealth so important—and why does it feel so difficult? In this episode, Laura Russo, Senior Wealth and Fiduciary Planning Analyst at Wilmington Trust, explores why discussing family wealth is essential and highlights how open communication, a clearly defined family mission statement, a well‑communicated financial plan, and a thoughtful family governance structure can st...

Estate planning isn’t just about transferring assets—it’s about preserving your wealth and values for future generations. One powerful way to do this is through philanthropy. Giving back can teach financial literacy, instill gratitude, and create a shared sense of purpose within your family. In this episode, Alexa Broida, family legacy advisor for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & Adv...

For many individuals, the purchase of life insurance is designed to mitigate risks including replacing income in the event of a premature death, leaving a legacy for heirs, and providing a source of liquidity for the payment of estate taxes. For those focused on the last of those risks—providing a source of liquidity for estate taxes—it can be particularly beneficial to consider using an irrevocab...

Often, financial conversations focus on wealth accumulation. However, sustainability is also an important consideration at each stage of your financial life. It requires planning, discipline of following a budget, and the ability to adapt your plan as your life changes. In this episode, Laura Russo, senior wealth & fiduciary planning analyst for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & A...

In general, the portion of a decedent’s estate value in excess of an exempt amount is taxed at a federal rate of 40%. When a decedent’s estate includes a significant and illiquid business asset, the administrator is often faced with making a decision on how to pay a very large tax bill within a very short window of time. It is important to know when a potential deferral of payment is applicable an...

2025 is shaping up to be a critical year for tax planning. Many individuals took a wait and see approach to the potential expiration of some provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). Now that we have a better understanding of the priorities of the current administration, it’s time to be proactive and help you  understand your options and prepare you for when the law does change at th...

Many individuals own vacation homes in addition to their primary residences. Frequently, these properties not only have significant economic value but also hold sentimental value. For this reason, incorporating them into an overall wealth and estate plan is critical. Select a plan that is appropriate for your situation. In today’s episode, Matthew Lee, director of Wealth Strategies for Wilmington...

The passage of the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) provides some much desired clarity on how the tax landscape for individuals and businesses will look beginning on January 1, 2026. While we are continuing to unpack this new tax bill and its ramifications, Josh Landsman, senior wealth strategist for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, offers outlines key takeaways along w...

With historically high exemptions from federal estate and gift taxes, many families are turning to funding personal trusts to protect and preserve their family endowments for future generations. Unfortunately, beneficiaries receiving significant inheritances may not be sufficiently prepared to inherit family wealth. A personal trust can help families who want their heirs to receive more than finan...

There are several strategies to consider when looking to save on income taxes. One strategy involves lessening your amount of gross income, which comprises five methods, or pillars: deferral, exclusion, elimination, offsetting, and character of income. In this podcast, Tom Kelley, national director of income tax planning for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & Advisory,® offers his insi...

The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to reflect and reassess. And, for many, it’s also about making resolutions for personal improvement. But don’t forget about your financial health. Ensuring your wealth plan is in order is one of the most impactful ways to set yourself up for financial success and peace of mind this year. Alvina Lo, chief wealth strategist for Wilmington  Emerald F...

Are you thinking about creating a wealth plan for a commercial property? Real estate that is owned for business or investment purposes have certain inherent traits that create a somewhat unique planning scenario and, in some cases, jeopardize the success of your wealth plan. However, a freeze partnership could help.

The stage is set for this year’s presidential election. Regardless of who wins the election, reviewing the scheduled expiration of certain tax code provisions enacted as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will likely be an initial priority. What might this mean for the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax exemption; the qualified business income deduction; and individual income t...

Estate planning can be complex, and many people want to do everything they can to ensure both their assets and their heirs are successful. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is to engage your entire family in the process. But when is the right time to bring the conversation up? Who should be involved? What should be shared? Listen as Alexa Broida, family legacy advisor for Wilmington Trust’...

As many successful families have learned over time, having a family wealth education plan in place for family members can be very empowering for the next generation. And when heirs feel empowered and engaged in the family’s legacy, a smooth transfer of wealth can result. Listen as Allison Pierce, wealth strategist for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, discusses how giving fam...

Long-term financial planning considerations, family legacy concerns, income and estate tax ramifications, transaction structuring, community and workforce impact, legal documentation, along with the reality—and finality—of “letting go” typically make a business transition one of the most difficult things a business owner will ever do. Listen as Stuart Smith III, national director of Business Value...

It often requires an intentional effort from parents to uncover and take advantage of moments during a child’s upbringing to incorporate financial discussions and lessons. Listen as Jerry Inglet, senior family legacy advisor for Wilmington Trust’s Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, discusses how to leverage the preparation and decisions connected to choosing and paying for college for two purp...

For many entrepreneurs, selling a business is uncharted territory. Not surprisingly, engaging the right team of experienced advisors to assist in the transaction may elevate their chances of success. Listen as Stuart Smith, national director of Business Value Strategies for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory,® discusses the value of hiring experienced advisors who have been to t...

Understanding state residency rules as an income tax planning strategy may be important for people who live in more than one state. But these rules can be complicated and tend to vary across states. Moreover, the state residency rules for trusts can be even more complex. In this podcast, Tom Kelley, national director of Income Tax Planning for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory®...

There are good reasons a family may consider changing the terms of an irrevocable trust. For instance, maybe there has been a change in a beneficiary’s ability to manage family resources, or perhaps a new trustee was named. Fortunately, “irrevocable” does not necessarily mean set in stone. In this podcast, Jeff Wolken, national director of Delaware Trust Planning for Wilmington Trust Emerald Famil...

Discussing wealth and legacy plans with family can be challenging and somewhat uncomfortable, especially when family members disagree about the goals. However, having open communication about the family’s heartfelt values and aspirations can help sustain a desired legacy through future generations. In this podcast, Julie Weiss, national director of Family Office Experience for Wilmington Trust Eme...

Business owners, tax planners, and anyone who works with business entities should understand the new obligations they will face next year under the Corporate Transparency Act—the most significant anti-money-laundering legislation since the Patriot Act in 2001. In this podcast, Kerry Reeves, director of Wealth Strategies for Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory®, offers a brief ove...

When retirees pass away before using all the assets in their retirement plans, the remaining funds in those accounts typically pass to a named beneficiary. In certain instances, naming a trust as beneficiary of the plan may be the most prudent course of action, particularly if the retiree wants oversight of the funds for the benefit of a minor child or disabled beneficiary. In this podcast, Wealth...

Parents with multiple children often grapple with issues around fairness and equality when structuring their estate plans. With intentional thought and communication, and sometimes a third-party facilitator, parents can strive to achieve their wishes where intentions are understood and negative impacts for a family are reduced as inheritances are discussed and executed. In this podcast, Family Leg...

There are many different vehicles for charitable giving that can help support your objectives and create a philanthropic legacy. Charitable giving is an important discussion to have with your advisors to determine whether your charitable giving is best done individually or through a trust, a private foundation, donor advised fund, or another entity. In this podcast, Director of Wealth Strategies K...