Mary Akkerman | Partner, Davenport Evans Lawyers

Mary practices in estate planning, including dynasty trusts, domestic asset protection trusts, estate and trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, business and tax planning, estate and gift tax planning, tax appeals, and related litigation. She is skilled at establishing public and private trust companies in South Dakota and regularly works with U.S. and international families and advisors.

Mary is an American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) Fellow. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and Sioux Falls Estate Planning Council.

Mary has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, for the highest level of professional excellence for legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards. She has a Band 1 individual ranking in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide by Chambers and Partners in the area of Private Wealth Law and is listed by Best Lawyers® in Trusts & Estates. Mary has also been ranked in the top 5% of practicing attorneys in South Dakota by Great Plains Super Lawyers in the areas of Estate Planning & Probate.

I. Explanation of trust basics | 2:00pm – 2:20pm

II. Available revocable trust planning options | 2:20pm – 2:40pm

• Marital deduction planning
  • Outright gifts
  • Marital trusts
    1. Qualified Terminable Interest Trusts
    2. General Power of Appointment Trusts
  • Qualified Domestic Trusts
• Special needs trusts
• Supplemental needs trusts
• Charitable planning options
• Other sophisticated options

III. Tax Aspects | 2:40pm – 3:00pm

Break | 3:00pm – 3:10pm

IV. Ethics | 3:10pm – 4:10pm

• Legality of Medicaid Planning
• Identifying your client
• Confidentiality requirements
• Attorney-client privilege
• Clients with diminished capacity
• Americans with Disability Act
• Emergency legal services
• Declining or terminating representation
• When your client is an estate or trust
• Conflicts of interest
• Representing multiple parties
• Representing a client acting in multiple capacities
• Special rules for drafting estate planning documents