Insights

Trust Industry News and Advisor Resources

We offer a curated collection of updates, insights, and practical tools designed to keep advisors and attorneys informed in a rapidly evolving fiduciary landscape. From changes in trust law and regulatory developments to best practices in administration and planning, this section provides clear, actionable information that supports your work and strengthens client outcomes.

March 20, 2021
Advisor Friendly Trust Company 2021

This post will cover the important of what an advisor-friendly trust company in 2021 means for financial advisors and their clients. The bottom line - the best trust companies treat financial advisors like celebrities.  This post will include: Explanation of why trustee services are a commodity Ideas to reduce trustee fees for revocable and irrevocable […]

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February 26, 2021
Types of Charitable Trusts

UTC§ 405 (a) (2000) – “A charitable trust may be created for the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or religion, the promotion of health, governmental or municipal purposes, or other purposes the achievement of which is beneficial to the community.”

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February 11, 2021
Client Service - A Mindset Not a Cheap Tagline

We are not your grandparents trust company. This blog will cover the history, evolution and simple approach about and on client service.  As an advisor friendly trust company, we view client service as an evolution through successes and failures.

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February 6, 2021
Foreign Grantor Trusts Increase Reputational Risk for South Dakota trust law

This blog post outlines how foreign grantor trusts could increase the potential business and reputation risk for South Dakota trust law and trust companies. Potential clients should understand why and if they are comfortable accepting that potential risk.

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January 28, 2021
Hybrid Domestic Asset Protect Trust (DAPT) - Escape Clause

This blog describes how a Hybrid Domestic Asset Protection Trust (DAPT) works for grantors wanting an escape clause while taking advantage of their $11.7 million estate tax exemption (as of Jan 2021). This post will cover: History on Estate Tax Exemption History on Congress Changes to Income and Estate Taxes Traditional Irrevocable Trust Traditional Domestic […]

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January 11, 2021
What is a Fiduciary?

When individuals hear the word trustee, they often associate the word fiduciary along with it. However, most individuals do not understand what acting in a fiduciary capacity means.  A fiduciary trustee is required to act in the highest statue of service, and a fiduciary is legally bound to put their clients best interests above their […]

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November 23, 2020
Private Trusts and Directed Trusts - South Dakota's hidden treasures

Most individuals want to maintain control even though they have placed assets in a trust. They are called a Private Trust. Making a trust private is one way to keep control; a directed trust is another.

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November 13, 2020
The Power of the Marital Deduction

When a large amount of wealth is being transferred, it is essential to understand what taxes can occur. This blog will cover the importance of understanding the federal estate tax, the power of the marital deduction, and South Dakota's Special Spousal Trust.

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October 26, 2020
South Dakota trust law - 25 reasons ranked #1 [Checklist]

This blog post will provide 25 reasons why South Dakota trust law ranks #1 in America. A leader in anything creates a naturally occurring set of healthy and repeatable habits. Being in the mid-west, South Dakota prizes freedom and innovation. And here are the 25 reasons....

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October 20, 2020
Are Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts taxable? [Guide]

Are Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts taxable - when and why? With a new presidential debate on the horizon, wealthy individuals are looking at every option available to shelter their assets.

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