Article on Powers of Appointment

Jonathan G. Blattmachr (Principal, Eagle River Advisors), Kim Kamin (Partner, Schiff Hardin LLP) & Jeffrey M. Bergman (Associate, Schiff Hardin LLP) recently published an article entitled, Estate Planning’s Most Powerful Tool: Powers of Appointment Refreshed, Redefined, and Reexamined, 47 Real Prop. Tr.& Est. L.J. 529 (Winter 2013). Provided below is the editor’s synposis from the Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Journal:

One of the most versatile tools estate planners have at their disposal is the power of appointment. Despite its wide use, the benefits and limitations of the power of appointment are not widely understood. This Article discusses those benefits and limitations, and instructs how to use the power of appointment either exercisable presently or in the future. Finally, this Article discusses how to use powers of appointment to “decant” trust assets from one trust to another, reducing the tax consequences of trust dispositions.