Enriching Lives, Realizing Visions BLOG CONTACT US CAREERS CLIENT LOGIN Resources and Newsroom INVESTMENT REPORTS | WHITE PAPERS | IN THE NEWS | CASE STUDIES At Diversified Trust, we value knowledge and professional development. Explore our colleagues’ publications on topics including investment and planning Quarterly Investment Reports Previous Next Selected White Papers and Articles White papers and articles are created by Diversified Trust to concisely inform our clients about complex issues on current topics of interests. These are regularly distributed to our clients and their advisors. Recent White Papers November 19, 2021 Retraining the Workforce: A National Priority November 17, 2021 Social Security: Timing is Everything November 2, 2021 Considerations for the Sale of a Family Business September 8, 2021 What is REALLY Going On With U.S. Labor? August 16, 2021 The 36 Trillion Dollar Question August 14, 2021 Serving the Greater Good July 12, 2021 The Housing Market: Another Bubble? June 14, 2021 Population Bust, Productivity Boom SEARCH THE WHITE PAPER ARCHIVES In the News November 2, 2021 LYNANNE NEWMAN JOINS DIVERSIFIED TRUST October 19, 2021 NASHVILLE BAR JOURNAL: LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD October 12, 2021 DIVERSIFIED TRUST PROMOTES LEE GIBSON PRESIDENT May 10, 2021 HOW THE ULTRARICH AVOID MESSY PUBLIC DIVORCE BATTLES October 28, 2020 ELECTION IMPACT ON ESTATE PLANNING IN BARRON’S October 19, 2020 NEXT GEN FINANCES, WEATHERING THE PANDEMIC SEARCH NEWS ARCHIVES 24/7 Access to Your Accounts and Documents Available The Vantage Point Blog Click to explore the best ideas from our people. SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE NEW POSTS Case Studies Click on a case study below to discover how Diversified Trust can make a significant impact. UNWINDING PLANNING STRUCTURES The Jacobson Family revisits their plan: Is it time to discontinue some of the planning measures put in place by prior generations? FAMILY EDUCATION The Tyler Family asks: Can a customized education program prepare our family to be good stewards of our wealth? BUSINESS SALE CHALLENGES The Simmons ask: Can our assets support our lifestyle? INCOME TAX REDUCTION The Jacksons ask: Can comprehensive planning create opportunities to reduce income taxes? WEALTH TRANSFER PLANNING The Clarks ask: Can we provide for our family and leave a charitable legacy? The Simmons, a couple with roughly $40 million in assets, had just sold their family manufacturing business and were ready to retire, but they faced a significant challenge. They wanted to maintain the quality of their lifestyle as they transitioned from business owners to living off their investment portfolio. At the same time, they wanted to be able to transfer wealth to their heirs and meet their philanthropic goals, including major gifts to their church and the local symphony. And all this had to be accomplished as tax efficiently as possible. They called on Diversified Trust to help them with a plan. Our Approach CAPTURING THE FULL PICTURE Gaining a complete understanding of the couple's financial picture, including the makeup of their assets, sources of income, existing estate planning documents, lifestyle needs and tax situation. BUILDING A CUSTOM MODEL After setting goals for the efficient transfer of wealth and charitable giving, we built a comprehensive model with multiple scenarios to identify the best plan to achieve the clients' goals. AFFIRMATION AND INTEGRATION We reviewed our recommendations with their attorney and tax advisor to ensure everyone was in agreement on the proper course of action. The Results Our plan achieved immediate income tax savings of $2 million, and future estate tax savings could exceed $10 million. Based on our cash flow and net worth projections, we established a spending policy that allowed the Simmons to comfortably expand their lifestyle. A $5 million contribution was made to a donor-advised fund to optimize the income tax deduction in the current year and satisfy philanthropic goals in future years. Estate planning documents were revised to make specific outright bequests to the couple’s parents and siblings, as well as to fund a $10 million trust for each of their two children, with any excess going to charity. And we determined that these wealth transfer goals could be met without purchasing life insurance. Share this Case Study Download as a PDF Download Join Our Newsletter Contact Us Disclosure ©2007-2021 Diversified Trust