Survey Also Probes Mindset of Professional Advisors on Current Economic Crisis

New York, Sept. 7, 2011 – WealthCounsel and the publishers of Trusts & Estates magazine today announced the opening of the estate planning industry’s 5th Annual Industry Trends Survey. All estate planning and wealth management professionals throughout the country are encouraged to participate in the survey at www.wealthcounsel.com/2011_industry_trends_survey.aspx or at www.trustsandestates.com

“We’re doing things differently starting in 2011 to enhance the informational value of this annual data collection initiative,” said WealthCounsel principal William A. Conway, Esq. of McLean, VA. “While participation in previous surveys had been limited to estate planning attorneys, we’ve decided it would be even more compelling to include insight from non-attorney professionals who are part of the client’s team of advisors.” Conway noted that respondents this year will include CPAs, financial planners, trust officers, wealth advisors, registered representatives, elder law practitioners, insurance professionals, and other interdisciplinary professionals who provide client services related to the estate planning process.

In addition to questions regarding the impact of the $5 million estate tax exemption passed last year, the 2011 survey probes advisors’ opinions on politically charged issues such as the impact of Congress’s inability to pass long-term solutions for major tax and budget issues; whether advisors believe their clients would support a lower estate tax exemption if it would help reduce the budget deficit or stabilize the economy; whether political leaders should explore incentives for American businesses to “reshore” jobs back to the U. S.; and whether advisors believe the lack of financial literacy contributed to the subprime mortgage crisis. Advisors are also asked whether baby boomers have adequately saved for their retirement years.

“This year’s survey will generate some incredibly powerful data that is certain to sustain a buzz long after the results are released,” said Rich Santos, Publisher for Trusts & Estates magazine in New York. “Advisors and their clients are experiencing great frustration due to the current economic crisis, and it’s obvious to us they would welcome a forum to ‘vent’ their opinions,” said Santos. “We’re happy to give it to them.”

Survey results will be published in the January 2012 issue of Trusts & Estates magazine and distributed from the WealthCounsel and Trusts & Estates exhibit booths at the 46^th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning in Orlando, FL, January 9-13, 2012. Copies of previous survey reports may be downloaded at www.wealthcounsel.com/freeresources.aspx.

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About WealthCounsel
WealthCounsel is the publisher of the WealthDocxÒ automated drafting system and a membership-based organization of more than 2,500 estate planning attorneys located in all 50 states. WealthCounsel shares ownership in ElderCounsel, LLC and The Advisors Forum, LLC. The company celebrates its 15-year anniversary in 2012.

About Trusts & Estates Magazine (Penton Media, Inc.)
Trusts & Estates is the monthly journal for estate planning and wealth management professionals. Published since 1904, Trusts & Estates continues a long tradition of editorial excellence and credibility in the high-net-worth arena. Monthly issues focus on new tax legislation, ethics, investment strategies, financial planning, elder law, charitable giving and financial services.

Contacts:
Marlene Hoover Frith, WealthCounsel, 888-659-4069, ext. 817
Rich Santos, Trusts & Estates, 212-204-4227