– PAST CONFERENCE –
Estate Planning: Beyond the Basics
Waikiki, Hawaii
December 4-8, 2023
12 CLE Hours (2 Ethics)
Waikiki Beach is known for its breathtaking white sand beaches, turquoise blue water, and backdrop of Diamond Head Crater.
WHERE IS THE EVENT:
'Alohilani Resort
2490 Kalakaua Avenue
Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
WHEN IS THE EVENT:
December 4-8, 2023 CLEs take place on M-W-F with plenty of free time and tours.
GET THE DETAILS
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
We offer CLE sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with plenty of free time to explore!
MONDAY – DECEMBER 4, 2023
11:15 a.m.
Lunch for Attorneys and Guests
12:15 p.m.
Welcome and Announcements
12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Drafting Documents, the Fees, and Follow-Ups
Presented by: Jennifer R. Okubo Polido
The question is whether the client needs a trust or a will. This session will deal solely with Wills, Codicils, Probate, and drafting it so that the client will be satisfied that you prepared the documents for a reasonable fee. A short discussion on contesting clauses, mistakes, and codicils due to changed circumstances as well as yearly contact with your client to briefly review their estate planning needs through the years. Terms and clauses that you will use often should be reviewed annually so no unintended consequences occur years from now.
2:30 p.m.
15-minute break
2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Trusts & Strategies of All Kinds
Presented by: Scott A. Makuakane & Gail “Kaila” Kawakami
There’s a daunting array of estate planning strategies available. Identifying which will help and suit a client, and how to discuss it, is critical. We’ll help frame and organize your thinking, then walk through the pros and cons of your many options. You already know many of them – we’ll discuss the when, how, and why. We’ll look at different types of trusts: the GRAT’s, IDGT’s, Spend Thrift, etc. so you are ready to go from “good lawyer” to “estate planning strategist.”
3:45 p.m.
15-minute break
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Trusts & Strategies of All Kinds
(continued)
TUESDAY – DECEMBER 5, 2023
6:15 a.m. - Noon
Pearl Harbor and City Tour
WEDNESDAY – DECEMBER 6, 2023
7:00 a.m.
Breakfast
7:45 a.m.
Announcements
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
The Financial Planning Side of Estate Planning
Presented by: Matt McConnell CFP®, AMPA®
Understanding a goals based approach to retirement planning can help clients identify which assets will be needed for income needs while living and then plan for a tax efficient way to leave additional assets to their heirs as part of their overall estate plan. Federal income tax rates are set to increase in 2026, so the next few years can offer an opportunity to pay less tax and move forward with estate planning goals. Secure Act 2.0 also provides some new opportunities for clients to enhance their financial & estate plans. This presentation will highlight some of the exciting new options for clients included in Secure Act 2.0.
9:00 a.m.
15-minute break
9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
The Financial Planning Side of Estate Planning
(continued)
10:15 a.m.
15-minute break
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Avoiding Ethical Dilemmas in Estate Planning
Presented by: Scott A. Makuakane & Gail “Kaila” Kawakami
Estate planning is particularly personal in nature and can raise particularly thorny ethical dilemmas. Good and consistent practices are key, as well as anticipating awkward and difficult situations. Almost every practitioner will find it difficult to distinguish all the conflicts that may arise, especially when it involves dual representation. In this presentation we’ll identify what ethical issues every lawyer should consider, from engagement to execution of documents to annual follow-ups. We’ll discuss estate planning strategies involving competency, communication, and avoiding conflicts of interest. We’ll also identify conflicts for spouses/partners, parent/child, fiduciary/beneficiary, fees, and options when a conflict or other problems arise. This is about issue-spotting, and being ready for the dilemma before it happens.
12:30 p.m.
CLEs end for the day
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Catamaran Cruise
Hors d’ oeuvres and an open bar are provided.
Check-in no later than 4:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. is the approximate end time
Directions will be given at the conference.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
- A light jacket
- A camera or cell phone
- Wear walking shoes
- No kids 3 and under
THURSDAY – DECEMBER 7, 2023
11:30 a.m.
Polynesian Cultural Center
FRIDAY – DECEMBER 8, 2023
7:00 a.m.
Breakfast
7:45 a.m.
Announcements
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Wills or Trusts by Everyone?
Presented by: Jared N. Kawashima, Esq.
The general public thinks they get the same value from an automatically created document. For some of the simplest situations, they may be right. But when are they wrong? And what should you point to so they know it? We’ll discuss the failings of automatically generated estate planning documents, and how you are, or can be, different and better. We’ll discuss estate planning tools, tax considerations, relationships that computers can’t navigate, and the many nuances of wills and trusts that require independent and experienced advice.
10:00 a.m.
15-minute break
10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
What Not to Forget and How Not to Forget it!
Presented by: Randall M.L. Yee, ESQ.
In a perfect world drafting estate planning documents requires what I call the ABC’s, accuracy, brevity, and clarity with a focus that nothing is left out. From start to finish, it’s not a race, the documents must be drafted, checked, reviewed, revised, and executed. Annual reminders may lead to new issues. The estate planner’s focus in representation should include addressing issues you never thought of – we’ll focus on those in this session and how not to miss them.
12:15 p.m.
CLEs end for the day
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Our speakers are experienced estate planning attorneys and advisors.
Jared N. Kawashima, Esq.
Jared N. Kawashima is the managing partner at Yee & Kawashima LLLP, where he represents Taft-Hartley multi-employer trust funds, handles probate, trust and estate planning matters, and commercial and probate/trust litigation. He regularly acts as a court appointed Master, Kokua Kanawai (“Helper in the Law”), and Special Administrator. He is a member of ACTEC (American College of Trust and Estate Counsel) and carries the highest Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating of AV Preeminent.
Mr. Kawashima has served on the Board of Directors for the Bankruptcy Law Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association, the American Liver Foundation Hawaii Chapter, and Inspire the Keiki Foundation and was a member of The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee.
Matt McConnell, CFP®, AMPA®
Matt McConnell is a Senior Financial Advisor at Hawaii Partners 3D Wealth Advisors and has over 20 years of experience in wealth management and financial planning. Matt joined the firm in 2020 after running his own financial planning franchise at Ameriprise Financial. He is an Accredited Portfolio Management AdvisorSM and Certified Financial Planner®. Matt previously served as past president of the Hawaii Estate Planning Council and is a current board member of the Friends of St. Patrick Hawaii.
Jennifer R. Okubo Polido
Jennifer R. Okubo Polido is a highly accomplished attorney with expertise in trust and estates law. A graduate of the University of Hawaii Shidler College of Business and Willamette University College of Law, Jennifer’s legal career began with a clerkship for the Honorable Colette Y. Garibaldi and a role as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. Prior to forming her own law practice, Jennifer has worked at First Hawaiian Bank’s Personal Trust Division, where she gained valuable experience in trust administration, and the Law Office of Stephen H. Reese, where she focused on estate planning, and probate and trust administration. Jennifer is a past Chair and current member of the Hawaii State Bar Association’s Probate and Estate Planning Section and Elder Law Section, and past President and current member of the Hawaii Estate Planning Council. Jennifer is also an active member of the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Jennifer is passionate about community service and volunteers with Project Dana and the Nisei Veterans Legacy. She is also a lecturer in law at William S. Richardson School of Law.
Scott A. Makuakane
Scott A. Makuakane has been an estate planning and trust law attorney since 1983. He is a prolific author of books and articles on estate planning and has served as a lecturer for various legal education institutions and community groups. Scott has served as past-chair of the Probate & Estate Planning Section and the Estate & Gift Tax Committee of the Hawaii State Bar Association. He is also a past president of the Christian Legal Society of Hawaii and the Financial Planning Association of Hawaii. Scott has been recognized for his legal expertise with an AV rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory since 1993. Additionally, he is a trained and experienced mediator through the Mediation Center of the Pacific and Peacemaker Ministries.
Gail “Kaila” Kawakami
Kaila has a rich academic and legal background. She is licensed to practice law in Alaska, Oregon, and Hawaii and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, an M.A. from Alaska Pacific University, a law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School, and a B.A. from the esteemed University of British Columbia. Before joining Est8Planning Counsel LLLC, she worked as a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii in Waianae and as the Veterans Benefits Coordinator for the Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii.
But Kaila is more than just an accomplished legal professional. She is also an adventurer at heart, having lived in the rugged Alaskan Brooks Range, navigated the whitewater rapids of the Snake River in Hells Canyon, and hunted from horseback on the slopes of Mauna Kea. And in her free time, Kaila indulges in her passions for wine tasting, culinary experimentation, gardening, and travel.
Kaila’s remarkable journey is an inspiration to all who know her, and her unwavering commitment to excellence in all aspects of life is a true testament to her character.
Randall M.L. Yee, ESQ.
Randall M.L. Yee is an accomplished partner and head of the Trust and Estate practice at Yee & Kawashima LLLP, with over 30 years of experience in probate, trust, and estate planning. He is a certified Public Accountant with an AV rating from Martindale Hubble, the highest rating by votes from fellow attorneys. He graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a Juris Doctorate degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law.
Mr. Yee is a highly respected lawyer in the field of trust and estates, recognized as one of the Best Lawyers® in America and Best Lawyers in Hawaii since 2001. He has spoken to numerous attendees of seminars for retirement and estate planning purposes, as well as professional advisors, including accountants, realtors, bankers, financial advisors, and planners. He has also conducted seminars on Asset Protection and what clients can do to safeguard their assets.
Mr. Yee has authored and presented various publications and presentations throughout his career, including the Hawaii Probate Forms Manual, the Hawaii Conservatorship and Guardianship Forms Manual, and the Encyclopedia of Estate Planning. He has also presented on Basic Probate Procedures and Practice in Hawaii, Estate Planning in Hawaii, Trust and Asset Protection Alternatives in Hawaii, and many other topics. We are honored to have Mr. Yee as our esteemed guest speaker for the final conference presentation on estate planning.
WAIKIKI, HAWAII
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