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.
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.
July 14—With today’s historically high gift and estate tax exemptions, and historically low interest rates, the use of personal trusts can be particularly beneficial in this favorable wealth planning environment.
Delaware was the first state to pioneer many innovative trust laws, but the competition for trusts is fierce among the states. Wilmington Trust’s National Director, Delaware Trust Planning Jeff Wolken, sits down with Editor in Chief of Trusts & Estates magazine, Susan Lipp, at the 54th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning to share his insights on how Delaware sets itself apart from other states.Please see important disclosures at the end of the video.
The facts show Delaware is a top jurisdiction for personal trusts with its flexible laws, a robust trust infrastructure, and a depth of talented professionals who serve this industry. While promoting their own trust services, other states at times present subjective information as fact, which can be misleading.Practitioners looking to find the right home for their clients’ personal trusts choose Delaware to take advantage of its favorable laws.
