As part of the Wilmington Trust Emerald Family Office & Advisory team, Jeff is responsible for developing trust planning strategies for wealthy individuals and families throughout the United States and abroad. He works closely with his clients’ legal, tax, and investment advisors to construct and implement appropriate trust structures that take advantage of the state of Delaware’s unique trust and tax laws.
Prior to joining Wilmington Trust in 2005, Jeff spent seven years in private legal practice as a member of the Estates and Trusts Practice Group of the Philadelphia-headquartered law firm of Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads, LLP.
Jeff earned his JD (summa cum laude) and MBA (with honors) from Syracuse University and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He is a frequent lecturer on topics involving the use of Delaware trusts for asset protection, state income tax minimization, and investment management for unique trust assets. Jeff is a recipient of the Wilmington Trust Chairman’s Club award.
He is a member of the Estates and Trusts Section of the Delaware State Bar Association and the Real Property, Trust & Estate Section of the American Bar Association.
Oct. 19, 2021—Asset protection planning is an important part of financial and estate planning. Certain personal trusts can be used to help safeguard your assets from future creditors and frivolous lawsuits, while other trust structures can be used to help protect your wealth for future generations.
Oct. 5, 2021—If you wish to retain more control over the assets you place in trust, a Delaware directed trust is one possible solution. The state’s distinctive trust law allows you to create a personal trust where you—or advisors named by you—direct the trustee’s actions.
August 10, 2021—Those who live in a high-tax state could benefit from the use of a Delaware incomplete-gift non-grantor (DING) trust. It’s an attractive technique that may reduce or potentially eliminate state income taxes on capital gains occurring inside the trust. In today’s podcast, National Director of Delaware Trust Planning Jeff Wolken discusses a tax-smart planning opportunity through the strategic use of the DING trust.
July 13, 2021—When creating a trust, the first decision is likely to be the most important one—choosing a trustee. Should it be a friend, family member, spouse, or a corporate trustee? The decision-making process involves several considerations to find the best fit. In today’s podcast, National Director of Delaware Trust Planning Jeff Wolken reviews the duties and responsibilities of a trustee to help you select one that is most appropriate for your situation.
February 9, 2021, GEM 32 — Many people are familiar with personal trusts because they are common estate planning vehicles. However, a lesser known fact is personal trusts may also be used to minimize state income tax liabilities. By holding your wealth inside a trust, you may limit the ability of your home state to tax the trust’s income. In today’s podcast, National Director of Delaware Trust Planning, Jeff Wolken, discusses the steps you can take to mitigate state income tax.
