10 Estate Planning Interview Questions and Answers for Financial Planners

1. What is your experience in estate planning and what kind of clients have you worked with?

One of my most significant accomplishments in estate planning was managing the transfer of wealth of a high-net-worth family worth over $50 million. My team and I set up multiple trusts and worked with their tax attorneys to minimize their tax liability. We also assisted with the transfer of ownership of several assets, including a commercial property and a private jet. It was a complex project that required attention to detail and strong communication skills, and we were able to successfully execute the plan within the specified time frame.

In addition to working with high-net-worth families, I have also worked with middle-class clients to establish wills and set up trusts for their children's future. One of my proudest achievements was working with a family that had a special needs child. We set up a special needs trust to ensure that the child's needs would be taken care of, even after the parents were gone. It was touching to see the relief on the parents' faces and to know that we were making a real difference in the child's life.

1. Managed the transfer of wealth for a high-net-worth family worth over $50 million, including setting up trusts and working with tax attorneys to minimize tax liability.
2. Assisted with the transfer of ownership of several assets, including a commercial property and a private jet.
3. Established wills and set up trusts for the future of middle-class clients.
4. Helped set up a special needs trust for a family with a special needs child.

2. Can you walk me through the estate planning process and how you work with clients?

As a financial planner specializing in estate planning, my goal is to create a personalized plan for each client that meets their unique needs and goals. The estate planning process generally involves four main steps:

1. Goal-setting: I work with clients to identify their estate planning objectives, such as asset protection, minimizing taxes, and providing for loved ones after they pass away.
2. Data-gathering: Next, I obtain a comprehensive understanding of their current financial situation, such as their assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. This information is crucial for creating an accurate and effective estate plan.
3. Strategy development: Based on the information gathered, I develop a customized estate plan that accomplishes the client's goals, while taking into consideration any potential tax or legal implications.
4. Implementation and maintenance: Finally, I assist clients in implementing the estate plan and ensure that it stays up to date as their life circumstances change.

Throughout the entire process, I work closely with clients to provide guidance and education on estate planning topics, making sure they understand the strategies we're using and why they're important. For example, I may recommend specific trusts or strategies to minimize estate taxes for high net worth clients, or provide advice on beneficiary designations to ensure assets are distributed according to the client's wishes.

One particular client I worked with had significant wealth but was concerned about protecting it for future generations. After reviewing their financial situation and goals, we developed a strategy that included creating a revocable living trust, establishing a charitable foundation, and updating their beneficiary designations. As a result, they were able to protect their assets, provide for their family, and contribute to causes they were passionate about.

3. What strategies do you use to minimize tax liability for your clients?

As a financial planner, my strategies for minimizing tax liability for my clients involve a comprehensive approach that includes:

1. Maximizing tax-deferred retirement contributions: By contributing the maximum amount allowed to tax-deferred retirement accounts, clients can reduce their taxable income and ultimately lower their tax liability. For example, one of my clients was able to reduce their tax liability by $5,000 per year by maximizing their 401(k) contributions.
2. Harvesting tax losses: Selling investments at a loss allows clients to offset gains from other investments, ultimately reducing their overall tax liability. For instance, one of my clients realized a tax savings of $2,000 by selling some of their underperforming investments and offsetting gains from other investments.
3. Utilizing tax-efficient investment vehicles: Investing in tax-efficient investments such as municipal bonds or index funds can reduce the tax liability. For example, one of my clients reduced their tax liability by $3,500 by investing in a low-cost index fund instead of actively managed mutual funds.
4. Advising on asset location: Proper asset location (placing assets in accounts with different tax treatments) can help reduce overall tax liability. For instance, placing tax-inefficient investments like bonds in tax-deferred accounts can minimize the amount of taxes paid on investment returns, thereby reducing overall tax liability. One of my clients saved $2,500 in taxes by properly allocating their assets across various accounts.

By utilizing these strategies, I have helped my clients minimize their tax liability by an average of 15%, resulting in an average annual savings of $8,000.

4. How do you handle conflicts among beneficiaries or other parties involved in the estate planning process?

Conflicts are bound to arise during the estate planning process, especially when beneficiaries or other parties have varying opinions or interests. It is important to handle these conflicts with sensitivity, understanding and professionalism. My approach to resolving conflicts among beneficiaries and other parties includes:

1. Listening carefully to all parties involved to understand their perspectives and concerns.
2. Facilitating open and honest communication among parties to foster understanding and trust.
3. Identifying common ground and areas of agreement to build on.
4. Brainstorming solutions and alternatives that take into account all parties’ interests and needs.
5. Encouraging compromise and negotiation to reach mutually beneficial outcomes.
6. Working with legal counsel and other advisors to ensure any decisions made are legally sound and in line with the client’s wishes.

One example of successfully handling conflicts among beneficiaries occurred while working with a family to settle their father’s estate. One sibling felt the distribution of assets was unfair and demanded a greater share. After listening to the sibling’s concerns and facilitating a dialogue between all parties, we were able to reach a compromise that satisfied everyone involved. The result was a fair distribution of assets, improved family relationships, and a successful estate plan implementation.

5. Can you give an example of a challenging estate planning case you worked on and how you resolved it?

During a previous role at XYZ Financial Planning, I worked with a family who owned a business that had been in the family for three generations. The primary issue was that the estate was split unevenly between the children, which caused tension and disagreements among the family.

To resolve this issue, I recommended setting up a family trust that would hold the business and assets. I worked with the family to create a comprehensive estate plan that considered each family member’s needs and wishes.

• We created a buy-sell agreement that allowed family members who were not interested in running the business to sell their shares to those who were.
• We also formulated a succession plan that outlined each family member's role in the business and how it would be managed in the event of the current owner's incapacity or death.

Ultimately, this solution ensured that the business could continue to thrive for future generations and that each family member felt that their interests were considered and protected.

6. How do you stay up-to-date with changes in estate planning laws?

As a financial planner, staying up-to-date with changes in estate planning laws is crucial to provide accurate and current advice to clients. I utilize various resources to keep myself informed and educated on any changes that may occur.

1. Continuing education courses: I make sure to regularly attend courses specific to estate planning and tax laws. For example, I recently attended a two-day seminar on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act where I gained a deeper understanding of how it impacts estate planning.
2. Professional associations: I am an active member of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils and attend their seminars and events to stay informed of any updates or changes in laws.
3. Online resources: I regularly read articles and updates from trusted sources such as The Estate Planner and The Tax Adviser to ensure that I am aware of any new tax legislation or regulations that may affect estate planning.
4. In-house resources: I work closely with the legal team at my firm to stay up-to-date on any changes in estate planning laws. They provide me with regular updates and guidance on how best to advise my clients.

Over the past year, my proactive approach to staying informed has resulted in me identifying several areas where my clients could benefit from changes or updates to their estate plans. For example, after attending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act seminar, I was able to advise a client to take advantage of the increased gift and estate tax exemptions by creating a trust to hold their assets.

7. Have you worked on planning for international clients? If so, what unique considerations have you encountered?

Yes, I have worked on estate planning for international clients. In my previous role as a financial planner at XYZ firm, I had the opportunity to work with clients from various countries, including Canada, the UK, and Australia.

1. Legal and tax considerations: One of the unique considerations I encountered was the different legal and tax systems in each country. For example, in Canada, there is an estate tax on assets over a certain value, while in the UK, inheritance tax may apply. It was important to work with local legal and tax experts to ensure that our clients' estate plans were in compliance with local laws.
2. Currency exchange: Another consideration was currency exchange. Some clients had assets in different currencies, and we needed to ensure that their estate plans accounted for potential fluctuations in exchange rates. We also needed to consider how these assets would be distributed and taxed in each country.
3. Privacy laws: We also had to be mindful of each country's privacy laws. For example, in Canada, personal information can only be collected and used for specific purposes, and clients have the right to access their personal information. It was important to ensure that our estate planning documents were in compliance with these laws.

Overall, working with international clients required a lot of attention to detail and collaboration with local experts. However, it was also a rewarding experience to help our clients navigate the complexities of estate planning across borders and ensure that their assets were protected and distributed according to their wishes.

8. What tools or software do you use to assist in the estate planning process?

As a financial planner specializing in estate planning, I utilize several tools and software to assist in the estate planning process. These tools are designed to help me provide comprehensive estate planning services that meet the unique needs of my clients.

1. Estate Planning Software: I utilize estate planning software that allows me to create various documents such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives in a streamlined way. This software is efficient and reduces the possibility of errors.
2. Excel Spreadsheets: I often use Excel spreadsheets to manage financial data for clients, especially when it comes to tracking assets and liabilities.
3. Financial Modeling Software: For clients with complex financial portfolios, I use financial modeling software to help me identify the best strategies for minimizing taxes, maximizing returns and achieving client goals.
4. Cloud-Based Document Management System: In order to provide my clients with easy access to their estate planning documents, I store them on a cloud-based document management system. This allows me to easily and securely share documents with my clients in real-time.
5. Financial Planning and Reporting Tools: I also use several financial planning and reporting tools to help me keep track of my clients' portfolios and provide them with regular reports. These tools include Bloomberg, Morningstar, and Thomson Reuters.

By leveraging these tools and software during the estate planning process, I am able to provide my clients with highly personalized service that meets their unique needs, while also ensuring that all financial data and estate planning documents are accurate, up-to-date and easily accessible.

9. Can you explain the differences between a will, a trust, and other estate planning strategies?

When it comes to estate planning, there are several strategies that Financial Planners can recommend to their clients. Here are the differences between wills, trusts, and other estate planning strategies:

1. Wills: A will is a legal document that outlines how a person's assets should be distributed upon their death. It also names an executor to handle the estate and may include guardianship designations for minor children. Wills are relatively simple and inexpensive to create, but they must go through probate court, which can be a lengthy and costly process.
2. Living Trusts: A living trust is a legal document that allows a person to transfer their assets into a trust during their lifetime, and then distribute them to their beneficiaries upon their death. By avoiding probate court, living trusts can save time and money. They also allow for greater privacy and flexibility in distributing assets. However, they are more complex and expensive to establish.
3. Irrevocable Trusts: Irrevocable trusts are similar to living trusts, but they cannot be changed or revoked once established. They are often used to minimize estate taxes, protect assets from creditors, or provide for special needs beneficiaries.
4. Power of Attorney: A power of attorney is a legal document that grants someone else the authority to make financial or healthcare decisions on behalf of the grantor. They can be limited or broad in scope, and can be useful in situations where the grantor is incapacitated or unable to make decisions for themselves.
5. Advanced Healthcare Directives: Advanced healthcare directives are legal documents that allow a person to specify their healthcare wishes if they become unable to make decisions for themselves. They can include instructions about life-sustaining treatments, pain management, and organ donation.

By discussing these options with their clients and understanding their specific needs and goals, Financial Planners can help create a comprehensive estate plan that ensures their clients' assets are protected and distributed according to their wishes.

10. How do you ensure that your clients' estate plans are updated and revised as necessary?

As a Financial Planner, I prioritize ongoing communication with my clients to ensure that their estate plans are updated and revised as necessary. This includes conducting regular portfolio reviews to identify any changes to their financial circumstances or goals that may impact their estate plans.

Additionally, I use technology to streamline the process of updating important documents, such as wills and trusts. I utilize a secure online portal to securely store and share important documents with clients, and automated reminders to prompt clients to review and update their plans on a regular basis.

Through these approaches, I have been able to ensure that my clients' estate plans stay up-to-date and aligned with their evolving financial goals. In fact, I have helped several clients avoid costly legal disputes over their estates by ensuring that their plans were properly updated and revised over time.

Conclusion

If you're a financial planner and preparing for an estate planning interview, we hope these questions and answers have helped you to better understand what to expect. Remember to research the firm and interviewer, anticipate follow-up questions, and prepare your responses ahead of time. Additionally, make sure to write a great cover letter and prepare an impressive financial planning CV. Finally, if you're looking for a new job, search through our remote Financial Planning job board. Good luck!