Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council Announces Officers & Programs for its 58th Season

August 24, 2022 – Sarasota

The Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council, an organization dedicated to encouraging the highest level of professional service in the estate planning field, has announced its board of directors and programming schedule for the 2022-2023 season.

This season’s officers include President Susan Hines, JD, of Sabal Trust, 1^st Vice President Elizabeth Diaz, JD, CPA, of Williams Parker, 2^nd Vice President Elizabeth Rabbitt Stephen, CFP®, CTFA, AIF®, of Truist, Treasurer Heather Williams, CPA, CFP®, of Kerkering, Barberio & Co. and Secretary Daniel Vigne, CFP®, CPWA®, of Northern Trust.

“With many transitions occurring these past few years—from tax law changes to evolving family circumstances and the succession or sale of businesses—it’s more important than ever for clients to be engaged with informed professionals focused on their comprehensive estate plan,” explained Susan Hines, Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council president for the 2022-2023 season. “Our group brings together each discipline involved with the planning process to foster a cooperative relationship that fully serves clients’ needs.” 

Hines added that this season the organization resumes a full season of in-person continuing education opportunities for financial services professionals, attorneys, certified public accountants and charitable endowment members. The local council was founded in 1964 based on mutual interest and confidence in the premise that clients are best served by competent members of each discipline, who understand and respect one another’s role, working as a team to solve a client’s problems and meet their planning goals.

This season’s programming will kick off with a Federal Tax Update at 11:30 a.m. on September 13, 2022, at the Community Foundation of Sarasota, 2635 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, FL 34237. The September program, offered as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series in conjunction with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Manatee Community Foundation, will be presented by Samuel A. Donaldson, aprofessor of law at Georgia State University in Atlanta. This event is free for Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council members and open to guests of members for $60 per person. 

Upcoming programs will focus on elder issues and special needs trusts, business evaluations in the post-pandemic era and the top estate planning and estate tax developments of 2022. 

Annual dues for the membership year, September 1, 2022 – August 30, 2023, are $350, plus a one-time application fee of $25 for new members. Applicants for membership, in addition to meeting professional qualifications, must be recommended by two existing members in good standing. Membership with the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council affords quality educational, networking, mentoring and fellowship opportunities as annual dues provide members complimentary attendance for all local meetings and an annual outing.

To learn more about upcoming programs and membership, visit swfepc.org.