Two Years Later: The Journal is Growing Like a Weed…Discover Why

Charlie Douglas, JD, CFP®, AEP®, Editor
Email: editor@naepcjournal.org
Phone: 404.279.7890

It is hard to believe that two years have past since I first took on the role as editor of the Journal. As time has quickly passed, the Journal has grown like a weed. But why?

The Way We Research Subject Matter for Insights Has Changed

More than a few of us may remember going to the law library or to our firm’s reference area in search of subject matter direction and praying silently that a staff person had updated the replaceable pages of a binder bearing a prominent name like CCH, RIA, or BNA.

But that way of researching has largely changed. Today, practitioners more often than not are going first to the world wide web for technical insights and direction. In surfing the web there are no passwords or key word syntax to consider, just simply type in the topic that you are interested in and hit enter! Instantly, a slew of related links pop up for your clicking pleasure.

Recently, I asked a prominent group of estate planning practitioners where they were turning first for subject matter direction. The vast majority promptly responded the internet, where there are a plethora of informative sites and white papers to choose from. Among the most visited sites for the estate planning practitioner is the NAEPC Journal of Estate & Tax Planning.

Please note that while the Journal is a very wise place to begin gathering technical insights and direction, it should not be the last or only place for confirming cutting edge content. Examining up-to-date technical periodicals, as well as gathering professional tax and legal advice, should be standard practice before implementing any strategies that are contained within the Journal.

Practitioners Are Retooling Themselves

During the last several years, estate planning practitioners had a great need to retool themselves with regard to the significant wealth transfer planning and counseling opportunities available to help clients leave an intended legacy.

From the planning possibilities and the potential pitfalls surrounding The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, to the non-tax reasons for trusts and helping clients prepare their heirs to receive and manage assets, the Journal has proven itself to be an indispensible go-to resource for practitioners.

Traffic on the Journal Soared Due to Complimentary Quality Content

Traffic on the Journal soared during the past two years. The number of visitors to the Journal who downloaded articles will exceed 100,000 in 2012, more than 2009, 2010, and 2011 combined!

We are very fortunate to have made available to estate practitioners and affiliated local estate planning council’s alike, exceptional strategies and advice from the top practitioners and content providers in our industry such as Leimberg Information Services Inc., Trusts & Estates magazine, Commerce Clearing House, WealthCounsel® and American College of Trust & Estate Counsel (“ACTEC”), among others.

By offering complimentary and high quality cutting edge content, the Journal has grown like a weed and will continue to do so with your support.

Help the Journal Reach Its Potential

Please ensure that your affiliated local estate planning council members and colleagues are made aware of this valuable resource. If the Journal is to reach its potential in serving councils and planning practitioners alike, it must be shared often and continually refined.

Please, also, let me hear from you with your views as to what subject areas we may be missing. Would you like to see more in the way of webinars and/or podcasts? Are there any particular practice aids that would be helpful to you in carrying out your discipline within estate planning?

Your voice and support in taking the Journal to the next level will be an invaluable way of helping others in our planning community and in helping to increase the depth of the “well” in estate planning knowledge that we all draw from and depend upon.

Thank you for a wonderful two years and for your current and continued support of the Journal!

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Charlie Douglas, JD, CFP®, AEP® has practiced in the business, tax, estate and financial planning areas for over 25 years. He holds a J.D. from Case Western Reserve School of Law and possesses the Certified Financial Planner® and an Accredited Estate Planner® designation. As a senior vice president for a leading global wealth management institution, Charlie specializes in comprehensive planning solutions and trust fiduciary services for business owners, high net-worth individuals and their families. Charlie is a board member of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (“NAEPC”) and is the current editor of the NAEPC Journal of Estate & Tax Planning.

This information is provided for discussion purposes only and is not to be construed as providing legal, tax, investment or financial planning advice. Please consult all appropriate advisors prior to undertaking any of the strategies outlined in this article, many of which may involve complex legal, tax, investment and financial issues. This communication is not a Covered Opinion as defined by Circular 230 and is limited to the Federal tax issues addressed herein. Additional issues may exist that affect the Federal tax treatment of the transaction. The communication was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, or relied on, by the taxpayer, to avoid Federal tax penalties.