47th Annual Estate Planning Update 2026

  • Webcast seminar
  • Estate Planning and Probate Law
Up to 7.0 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty Section Discount Available!
47th Annual Estate Planning Update 2026

Sponsored by Bank of Sun Prairie, Lake Ridge Bank, Prairie Trust, Wispact, and WILMIC

Navigate recent estate planning changes
Estate planning never stands still. The rules keep changing and even the most carefully designed estate plan can quickly become outdated. This annual update will keep you informed on significant developments in recent Wisconsin and federal legislation, case law, and tax rulings on emerging issues like artificial intelligence (AI), charitable planning, and more!  

Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section members – Save $25!

8:30 am
Welcome Announcements
8:35 am
Recent Developments in Estate Planning

Samuel G. Robertson, H. Wes Taylor

  • Federal estate and gift taxes — cases and rulings, including Spenlinhauer, Liberty Global, Keysight Technologies, and McDougall
  • Federal legislation, regulations, and reports, including proposed Senate Bill 3975, which would allow qualified charitable distributions to donor-advised funds
  • Wisconsin case law, including the 7th Circuit’s decision in Packaging Corp. of Am. Thrift Plan for Hourly Emps. v. Langdon
  • Relevant matters in other jurisdictions, including millionaire taxes and similar laws proposed in other states
9:50 am
Break
10:05 am
Liability Issues for Fiduciaries and the Attorneys Who Represent Them

Randy S. Nelson

  • Taxes of the Estate, Trust, and Decedent
  • Available Protections
  • Duty to Inform and Report
  • Use of Consents and Releases
10:55 am
Estate Planning in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Melissa S. Kampmann

  • Representing fiduciaries who rely on artificial intelligence
  • Practicing estate planning with artificial intelligence
11:45 am
Lunch (On your own)
12:55 pm
Keeping Beneficiaries in the Dark? Drafting and Litigating Silent Trusts, Designated Representatives, and Information Rights

Caitlyn B. Sikorski

  • Trustee’s duty to inform and report; Silent and partially silent trusts — overview of disclosure obligations and the legal framework permitting limited or restricted beneficiary information rights
  • Designated representatives and representation; Drafting considerations — how representation mechanisms function and key drafting choices to balance privacy and enforceability
  • Common litigation scenarios; Obtaining information in litigation — typical disputes arising from information restrictions and procedural tools used to compel disclosure
  • Potential roadblocks; Strategies and solutions — practical challenges in enforcing or resisting information requests and approaches to resolving conflicts
2:10 pm
Break
2:25 pm
The Practical Case for Private Foundations: Legacy, Liquidity Events, and the Business Giving Platform

Thomas W. Moniz

  • Private foundations as a working tool for successful business owners and families below the ultra-high-net-worth level
  • Entity choice, formation, and Internal Revenue Service filing requirements
  • Pre-sale contributions of closely held stock and post-sale contributions of cash
  • Business giving platforms, including governance, budgeting, and distinguishing charitable giving from marketing expenses
  • Excise tax traps and when a donor-advised fund, community foundation, or supporting organization may be a better option
3:15 pm
Organ/Tissue Donation and the Advance Directive: What Estate Planning Attorneys Need to Know

Johanna J. Allex, Michael Anderson, PA

  • Overview of the organ and tissue donation process and why it matters
  • Federal and state laws governing organ and tissue donation
  • Common myths and misinformation
  • How and when to discuss organ and tissue donation with clients
  • Intersection of the power of attorney for health care, the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and organ and tissue donation
  • Addressing client questions and concerns about organ and tissue donation and end-of-life care
4:05 pm
Program Concludes

Program Chairs and Presenters

Melissa S. Kampmann
Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C. · Wausau
Randy S. Nelson
von Briesen & Roper, S.C. · Milwaukee

Presenters

Johanna J. Allex
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP · Madison
Michael Anderson, PA
UW Organ and Tissue Donation · Madison
Thomas W. Moniz
von Briesen & Roper, S.C. · Neenah
Samuel G. Robertson
Foley & Lardner LLP · Madison
Caitlyn B. Sikorski
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, S.C. · Milwaukee
H. Wes Taylor
Foley & Lardner LLP · Madison

Sponsored by

Interested in sponsoring this program? Find out more.

  • Ensure you are up to date on recent federal and Wisconsin developments to estate planning
  • Draft trust provisions addressing beneficiary information rights and navigate disputes involving silent or partially silent trusts
  • Reduce liability risks for fiduciaries and attorneys through stronger documentation, consents, releases, and safeguards
  • Make informed decisions about using AI in your practice
  • Develop strategies establishing and administering private foundations
  • Recognize foundation excise-tax traps and evaluate alternatives such as donor-advised funds, community foundations, and supporting organizations
  • Address client questions and dispel common misconceptions about organ and tissue donation, end-of-life care, and the applicable Wisconsin and federal laws
  • Estate planning and probate lawyers
  • Elder law practitioners
  • Family lawyers
  • Tax lawyers
  • Insurance lawyers
  • Solo and small firm practitioners 

Eckhardt’s Workbook for Wisconsin Estate Planners
Save 25% on Eckhardt’s Workbook for Wisconsin Estate Planners.* This best seller is your source for mastering the increasingly complex subject of estate planning. The workbook is a one-stop reference book with practical, how-to approach. Checklists, examples, tables, charts, and diagrams simplify and integrate the topical discussions. Annotated sample forms illustrate how general principles can be applied in practice. Use discount code CA3994 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound® editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/27. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section Discount

Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section members – Save $25!

Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section members receive a $25 discount on seminar tuition!* Section members must be logged in to view discounted tuition option.

*The $25 discount only applies to the in-person seminar, live webcast, and webcast replay versions of this seminar – not CLE OnDemand. Section members with Ultimate Passes, other CLE passes, or PINNACLE® discounts are not eligible for this discount. The RPPT Section may discontinue this discount at any time.


NOT A SECTION MEMBER? Join today to save on tuition to the in-person or webcast versions of this program and to gain access to additional valuable section resources and benefits. Visit wisbar.org/sections to join.