Robert E. Alderman, Jr. • Biblical Counselor • Mediator • Attorney 63153 E. Flower Ridge Dr., SaddleBrooke, Arizona 85739-1079 (800) 953-4252 • (520) 818-1067 • Fax (520) 818-1278 Educational Presentations offered by Robert E. Alderman, Jr. Biblical Counselor • Mediator • Attorney We now present classes on an invitation/guest speaker basis only to churches and other organizations, but not to the public in general. The classes we have developed and previously provided are described below and are available to organizations or churches wishing to sponsor them in a variety of formats depending on audience size, location and other factors. Our speaker's fee and travel or lodging costs (if the location of the presentation is outside our immediate area) will be based on the presentation requested and location. Note: As we move into the establishment of a charitable corporation through which these classes and individual discipleship will be offered, it is our intent to eventually offer them to churches and other non-profit groups without charge. For more information on this, see the National Ministry section of this website. In the meantime, our general approach and recommendation for all classes is for the sponsoring church or organization to assess a registration or enrollment fee for the attendees structured according to the cost of materials or other expenses pertaining to that class. Such not only helps offset the expense of providing that class to its members, but also tends to provide a level of commitment of the persons desiring to attend and provides a more reliable advance head count as to the number of handout packets and other materials that need to be created. However, the ultimate decision whether to charge a fee and if so how much, and whether to required prior registration, etc. is left to each church or organization according to its policies. For an overview statement of our general fee and related costs structure depending on the class or classes desired and location of the intended presentation, call our office at 800/953-4252, or email us with the what, when and where of the classes that are of interest to you. 1. Presentations Suitable for All Audiences: "Introduction to Estate Planning, Probate and Death Taxes" Provides a very informative overview of the probate process, death taxes, and the six common estate planning formats used by every family whether by design or accident and the consequences of each. A distinction between the "traditional" living trust and a loving trust estate plan is also shared. (Usual length: 3-4 hours) "What to Look for in an Estate Planning Attorney" Discusses the characteristics of the best estate planning attorneys; how to recognize a "trust mill" and the consequences of using one; why estate planning services should not be selected on price alone; and how to use the "smell test" to evaluate your options. (Usual length: 30-45 minutes) "The Structure and Players of a Sample Living Trust" This is a "flow chart" presentation of the living trust structure including identification of the principal participants; their relationships and responsibilities to one another. (Usual length: 30-45 minutes) "Charitable Giving Survey Course" Provides a brief introduction of income tax and death tax benefits of using charitable giving as part of one's overall, estate planning package. General concepts with basic examples are included, but it is not an in-depth discussion. (Usual length: 1-2 hours) "Powers of Attorney for Financial Transactions and Health Care" Gives an overview of powers of attorney; the difference between general and special powers; durable authority versus immediate authority and combined powers, as well as the drawbacks of using powers of attorney alone or with Wills compared to the benefits of including the right type of power of attorney in a comprehensive estate plan. (Usual length: 30 minutes) "Selection and Duties of a Trustee" Explains what a Trustee does; the pros and cons of naming a family member, close friend, accountant or professional corporation as trustee or combinations thereof. (Usual length: 1-2 hours) "Extended Presentation with a Workshop Feature" Covers the subject matter of the introductory class plus aspects of the other general subject matters listed above and then takes family profiles from the audience anonymously... selecting two or three for presentation and discussion on an overhead projector or whiteboard to illustrate some design options and issues each family or individual may have to consider for a personal and customized plan. (Usual length: 6-8 hours - thus, this class requires either a single, all day session with a break for lunch, or two day split format (e.g.: Friday night and Saturday morning, or two consecutive nights) in order to allow dissemination and collection of anonymous profiles from the audience for use in the final, workshop phase of the course. "Breakfast or Lunch Club Q & A Sessions" This is a regularly scheduled opportunity (usually monthly) at the office of the sponsor in which the sponsor's existing or prospective clients (or organization members) can come to ask general questions and obtain some guidance from Mr. Alderman on estate planning matters of concern to them. (Usual length: 1 to 1-1/2 hours each meeting) 2. The Business Owners' Series: "Estate Planning Pitfalls and Problems for Small Businesses" This is a must for anyone who has full or partial ownership of a closely held corporation, a limited or general partnership, a limited liability company, a "Mom 'n Pop" shop or a sole proprietorship. The course provides an overview of valuation issues, buy/sale agreements, "outsider restrictions", control issues, buyout funding with life insurance and general succession or continuity problems that will be faced by every small or family owned business. (Usual length: 3-5 hours) It is recommended that introductory class be presented to the group before this presentation to establish a foundational understanding by the audience of estate planning principles and consequences before the business owner tackles business succession and business issues. "Specific Solutions and Options for Small Businesses" Once a business owner realizes the severe estate tax losses, control questions and other family interaction or disinheritance issues his spouse and children will face, the question becomes: how does he plan against it? That will be the focus of this presentation. Included will be insurance funding with "key man" insurance, split dollar insurance, second to die insurance; as well as the benefits of a family limited partnership, installment sale notes, self-canceling notes, private annuities, etc. (Usual length: 2-3 hours) Note: Additional classes are being developed, including one or two programs on the subject of asset protection for businesses, as well as the subject of phony trust schemes (sometimes marketed as constitutional trusts, equity trusts, pure trusts, etc.) that are becoming a focus point of the IRS. (Projected length: 1-2 hours) 3. Advance Programs for Insurance Agents, CPAs and Financial Advisors "GRiTs, GRaTs and GRuTs" Larger estates and advisors who deal with wealthier clientele can benefit from a general knowledge of several advance estate planning techniques. This course deals with three of those techniques: Grantor Retained Income Trusts, Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, and the Grantor Retained Unitrusts including the income tax and death tax features of each. (Usual length: 2-3 hours) "FLPs and QPRTs" The basic structure and benefits of a Family Limited Partnership and/or a Qualified Personal Residence Trust to eliminate or reduce death taxes, yet retaining the benefits and control of the estate assets are the focus of this presentation. (Usual length: 1-2 hours) "Pulling Together as a Team for a Win-Win-Win Result" No advisor should ever be an island when it comes to servicing his or her clientele! More productive, more professional and more financially rewarding results will always be produced - for every member of the client’s financial and estate planning team (and especially for the client) when the individual advisors coordinate their efforts. This seminar looks at the whys, hows and benefits of this interaction approach and the use of "blended" workshops or seminars to make it happen more often. (Usual length: 1 to 1-1/2 hours) "Extended Estate Planning for Life Insurance Agents" This course is approved for continuing education credits by the California Department of Insurance. It covers a variety of subjects, including a basic overview of estate planning and living trusts, a sampling of other attempted approaches to estate planning and why they don’t work; the importance and varied ways of using life insurance in estate planning, the life insurance agents liability exposure for failing to advise a client to seek estate planning counsel and the value of the "team" concept. (Usual length: 15 hours) Note: The enrollment fee will include department of insurance expenses and continuing education certification. There is a required minimum enrollment of 7 for this class. "Mix 'n Match Seminars" This is a series of four separate presentations that can be run as a series or presented individually to meet specific interests. a. "An Introductory Course for Life Insurance Agents" gives an overview of estate planning definitions and objectives; explains the probate process and then focuses on the role and benefits of using life insurance in estate planning; problems that arise from the use of common beneficiary designations and a brief synopsis of how an irrevocable life insurance trust can solve those problems. b. "The ILIT Creation and the Life Agent's Role" moves to the next phase beginning with the importance of participation by the life agent in the estate planning process with the estate planning attorney; cross-over points for the life agent to recognize; the crucial sequence for creating an ILIT, and the incidents of ownership in the policy that will trigger dire death tax consequences. c. "Intermediate Issues for Life Insurance Agents" deals with some phases of the actual ILIT internal structure regarding customization for individual clients and addresses such issues as: the difference and purpose of life-time beneficiaries versus death beneficiaries; the pitfalls of using community property funds to pay premiums and how to structure around it; writing new policies versus transferring existing policies and the life agent’s liability exposure. d. "Real Life Uses of Life Insurance and ILITs" here common scenarios are explored in which life insurance and the ILIT are especially beneficial; key man programs, funding for buy/sale arrangements and split dollar polices are discussed; there are also two case studies for using life insurance for charitable giving or charitable giving replacement - one with wealthy clients and one with a modest estate client; plus an illustration of how to use life insurance and an ILIT as an estate creator and/or peace of mind builder in blended marriages. (The length of each of these sessions: 1-1/2 to 3 hours) (Registration fees for each class in this series will include department of insurance expenses and continuing education certification. There is a minimum required attendance of 7 enrollees for each class in this series.) "JAM Session" This regularly scheduled (usually monthly) informal get-together provides the opportunity for life insurance agents or other professional advisors to receive some direction and information to assist them in dealing with a particular client or fact situation. The meetings will be held at the sponsor's office with Mr. Alderman present to field and respond to as many questions as possible during that time. (Usual length: 1 to 1-1/2 hours) 4. Alternative Structuring and Custom Programming: "We're Here to Help - What do You Want or Need?" Should there be any special interest or presentation approach desired by your church, professional practice, business or organization that is not addressed in one of the programs currently offered by this menu, please let us know. It would be our pleasure to design a program that will match your needs exactly. SPECIAL NOTE AND REMINDER: We believe that true estate planning should emulate the Bible - with its teachings for putting relationships, people planning and love ahead of possessions when establishing and fulfilling one's dreams, goals and obligations. There is simply a great deal of foresight to be combed from the Bible for guidance in the priorities and structure of one's estate and financial planning. Accordingly, our presentations almost always include biblical references and analogies. Return to Top of Page