Shakespeare-v-Lincoln
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This document compares William Shakespeare and Abraham Lincoln, discussing their careers, estates, families, and legacy planning. Both Shakespeare and Lincoln were successful in their professions, accumulating substantial assets. However, their estate administration differed - Shakespeare had an orderly probate with a comprehensive estate plan while Lincoln died intestate, leaving his family vulnerable. The document suggests estate planners can learn from their examples to thoughtfully plan for clients' financial security, family dynamics, business succession, and philanthropic goals.
Shakespeare-v-Lincoln
- 1. Shakespeare & Lincoln Historic perspectives for 21st Century Estate and Charitable Planning
- 2. Snapshot comparison Shakespeare Lincoln Entrepreneur wildly successful several business partners in his company Attorney, politician, President one partner in his law firm Net worth at death = ? estimate is L20 million+ in todays terms Net worth at death = $110,000 $1.6 million in todays terms Wife life-long partner in building the family fortunes Wife emotionally unstable spendthrift who was always cared for Children Susanna: intelligent, well-off Judith: made poor choices Children Robert: 23-year old Harvard grad now head of the family Tad: special needs adolescent Comprehensive estate plan for family and business Died intestate No non-probate estate plans Both Shakespeare and Lincoln had reached the top of their professions and had business partners. Both Shakespeare and Lincoln had substantial assets in their estates. Both had family drama in their lives. Do their stories sound like any clients you know?
- 3. Estate Administration / Legacy Shakespeare Susanna / Dr. Hall - executors Trust Protectors The inventory and the second-best bed Orderly probate What does Shakespeares final word reveal? Seeing the legacy today Lincoln David Davis Supreme Court Justice appointed administrator Everything divided equally between wife and two sons Wifes 1/3 portion of chattel / personal property Probate took 2 遜 years We will never know Lincolns final word
- 4. Business Partners / Neighbors Shakespeare Personal bequests status Blackfriars left to family, and rented to the Kings Men set up so that the partners could eventually purchase the property and theatre Retirement / business succession plan had already been in place for some time Real estate in and around Stratford- Upon-Avon / Warwickshire Lincoln Left William Herndon with no way to buy out Lincolns interest in the practice $250 fee for services rendered to clients before 1861 Family left without a source of income from his business interests A few real estate investments in Illinois Lincolns financial advisor had died in February 1865
- 5. Family the central cell of society Shakespeare Protected and provided for Wife had a home and income for her lifetime Daughter Judiths marriage portion and the rest of the family fortune was safe Secure income stream in perpetuity Entail to continue property ownership(wealth) - intended to last for future generations Lincoln Vulnerable and burdened Family home was sold, Mary moved into a hotel / boarding house in Springfield Mary was institutionalized on occasion, Robert bore the burden of those expenses Assets distributed to each beneficiary outright no creditor protection / spendthrift protection Chaos and disintegration of the family
- 6. What does it mean for us? Same issues Estate planning for Death and Diminished Capacity Grantor / Surviving Spouse Family treating children equitably v. equally Business partners Lifetime & legacy gifting (family, charitable) Many advisors and partners around the table coordinated action on behalf of a client / donor Revealing conversations story listening Dont get caught up in the mechanics too early
- 7. Family owned/controlled businesses Family members who are employees / owners Family members who are not employees / owners Non-family members who are key employees / owners Providing a stream of income from the business for survivors Using philanthropy and business succession planning to achieve multiple goals Converting the business into a multi- generational legacy for the entire family like Shakespeare did Every business can benefit from including philanthropy in the business plan
- 8. Scarlett Ann Gray New proposals for the new paradigm
- 9. I already have an estate plan . . . Immediacy date that Shakespeare executed will Things change Family situation, Laws Assets Family home / Vacation home Business / retirement appreciation Nomination of executors, trustees Will the estate plan achieve what the client really wants? Is the plan complete? Do all the documents and designations coordinate? Clarity in the documents - proper transfer of assets, distribution of income, discretion airtight to avoid failure of trust or litigation from heirs Will the philanthropic institutions accept the gifts and agree to use them as the client wants?
- 10. New Paradigm beyond the estate-tax motivation Re-evaluate current plans Benefits of Trusts for Grantors/ Surviving Spouses for Beneficiaries Dont necessarily eliminate life insurance / ILITs Especially if there is agricultural land / business Especially if there is charitable intent Small and medium sized estates Account for appreciation Generation skipping-style techniques Consider keeping bypass trusts in place QTIP provisions
- 11. Charitable Planning / Stewardship Demographics Baby Boomers: $ / Volunteer The follow-up generations Lower incomes Lower savings levels Tithing Support now Endowed support for later Nonprofit boards Elevating the discourse