The Principles of Estate Planning, 5th edition is designed to help advisors retain what they learn, not just read it. Every chapter opens with clear learning objectives and a contents outline, then reinforces the material with client situations that show concepts in action, practitioner tips for real-world application, and direct callouts to CFP Board practice standards. Chapter summaries, key terms, and review questions lock in the learning, while complex topicsāwills and trusts, gifting strategies, estate and generation-skipping transfer tax, family limited partnershipsāare broken into digestible subtopics instead of dense walls of text.
This edition reflects the latest tax code, rates, and exemptions, including changes under the One Big Beautiful BillāTrump Accounts, child tax credit updates, and new tax rates. It also adds fresh analysis on how income tax considerations intersect with estate plan design, giving advisors a sharper, more complete picture for client conversations.
New in the 5th Edition:
- Stay compliant and confident with fully updated tax code laws, rates, and exemptions
- Advise clients on the latest changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill, including Trump Accounts, child tax credits, and tax rates
- Build smarter estate plans by factoring in the income tax considerations that can impact client outcomes
Key Topics Covered:
- Understand why an estate plan mattersāand how to keep it current as clients' lives and laws change
- Guide clients through every step of the estate planning process with confidence
- Choose the right estate management tools for each client's needs
- Navigate transfers at death to protect client assets and intentions
- Structure wills and trusts that hold up and serve client goals
- Calculate gift taxes accurately and apply effective gifting strategies
- Master estate tax calculations to minimize client liability
- Apply generation-skipping transfer tax rules correctly across multiple generations
- Leverage family limited partnerships and LLCs as estate planning tools