The Atlanta Lawyer August/September 2014 | Page 42

section update Estate Planning & Probate Section By Roger Kirschenbaum Roger Kirschenbaum, PC [email protected] T he Estate Planning and Probate Section has begun the year with great momentum. In the last Section report I was able to outline a number of upcoming events, which we anticipate will meet the Section’s purpose of serving the practice needs of attorneys and judges in the areas of estate planning and probate; promoting and maintaining high professional and ethical standards; and advocating for and protecting the public interests. Our June meeting (reported in the last issue) featured Jeanne Canavan’s discussion of her efforts as Dekalb County Assistant District Attorney in the fight to stop Elder Abuse in Georgia, primarily financial abuses. July is the Section’s month off from a monthly breakfast, but that did not mean we had nothing to do. Many of the Section’s members were present at The Fiduciary Law Institute at the King & Prince in St. Simons. The Section hosted the Welcome Reception on Wednesday July 9th. About 200 attendees and guests enjoyed some hors devourers and drinks while socializing in anticipation of the conference events. Section members played key roles in the conference: Russell Love (Past Section Chair) was the Program Chair; Sam Donaldson (Section member by marriage) presented the Federal Tax Update to start the program; Nikola R. “Nick” Djuric (Past Section Chair) held the Special Session on Fiduciary Law Legislation; and Richard Morgan (Past Section Chair) copresented “Income Tax Planning Toolbox.” More on the social side of the St. Simons event saw Bill Saville (Regions Bank), Walt Helm (Nease, Lagana), Wade Watson III (Past President of the Atlanta Bar Association), joining me and others to battle in the hot sun during the tennis round robin. Plenty of fun there. “Why Estate Planning Attorneys Should Not Ignore Elder Law Issues.” For September 10, 2014 we will have Jim Swain speak regarding V.A. Benefits, and on October 8, 2014 we will have Daniel Munster speak regarding Medicaid Planning. REMINDER: The Section has two special speaking events planned that were announced in the last issue. 1. Professor Jeffrey Pennell of the Richard H. Clark Professor of Law from Emory is scheduled for his luncheon about “Recent Wealth Transfer Developments” for September 16, 2014 at Maggiano’s in Buckhead. The luncheon will have seating limited to 60 attendees, so please sign up at the Atlanta Bar Association website. 2. Robert A. “Clary” Redd is our scheduled presenter at The Forum with Diversified Trust Company to take place on October 28, 2014 at The Piedmont Driving Club. We always recognize our sponsors and thank them for their support. Adams Capital (thanks for the beach buckets); American Surety Bonds (thanks for the iPad mini raffle); Brightworth (thanks for having so many of your folks attend St. Simons); Moore, Stephens, Tiller, LLC (Bill – thanks for saving my seat); Nease, Lagana, Eden and Culley, Inc. (thanks for hosting your event); and Regions Bank (thanks for your giveaways, and Bill playing tennis). We are proud to have a new sponsor for this year, LivHome, a geriatric care management company (Thanks Chris Foster). At the Section breakfast on August 13, 2014, Nick Djuric, Partner at Sutherland, held a presentation on the topic of Facilitating Planned Giving to Charities. Our September and October speakers at the monthly breakfasts will be a unique two-part presentation covering 42 THE ATLANTA LAWYER August/September 2014 The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association