Partner Louis S. Harrison was recently featured on the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel's Trust and Estate Talk podcast in an episode titled "Premarital Planning: What to Know and Do Before 'Going to the Chapel.'"
Premarital planning sits at the intersection of law, family dynamics, and long-term wealth preservation, and it is often one of the more delicate conversations an advisor will have with a client. For high-net-worth individuals and families, an upcoming marriage raises questions that extend well beyond the couple: how existing planning should be protected, how a new spouse fits into structures that may have been in place for years, and how to approach the conversation in a way that strengthens rather than strains family relationships.
In the episode, Lou draws on his experience advising families through these transitions. He addresses how practitioners can prepare clients and their families for a process many have never encountered before, the issues that commonly surface once planning is underway, and why raising these topics early tends to produce better outcomes than addressing them after the fact. His discussion reflects a broader theme in his practice: that thoughtful, proactive planning is the most effective way to avoid surprises and preserve both family wealth and family harmony.
Lou is a frequent keynote speaker, and he has written more than 200 articles on a broad range of estate planning topics, which have been published in legal, accounting, tax, and estate planning journals and periodicals. Lou has also co-authored two books, and he collaborates with other practitioners around the country regarding advanced planning matters and defending plans before the Internal Revenue Service.
Listen to the full episode here.
The ACTEC Foundation
The ACTEC Foundation’s mission is to promote scholarship, education, and community outreach in trust, estate, tax, charitable, and related areas of the law. The Foundation serves professionals, students, and the public by providing grants for an array of educational programs, widely available resources, scholarships, legal research, and scholarly writing competitions, among other activities in these areas of the law.
The ACTEC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers education to families and professionals and supports students interested in the trust and estate area of the law.
Harrison LLP
Harrison LLP is a national law firm that assists clients in defining and achieving their private wealth goals, delivering peace of mind through sophisticated and practical legal counsel. Founded in 2003, the firm advises fiduciaries, high net worth families, and family offices on estate planning, trust administration, charitable guidance, tax controversies, trust and estate litigation, succession planning, and family law.