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Family offices are complicated because of the scope of services they deliver, the high number and complexity of entities they oversee and the staff they must manage. These complexities can open the door to liability. Employing consistent policies and procedures, establishing an annual entity review process, maximizing protection provided by indemnification and buying insurance are all tools to help manage the risks associated with management and professional liability.

With bonds providing so little yield in today's market, should life insurance be viewed as an investment? Whether or not you view insurance as an "asset class," permanent life insurance is definitely an asset, and it can help investors achieve their long-term financial goals. Thoughtful coordination of insurance and investments can provide more combined benefits than either asset can deliver on its own. And since having a life insurance policy can affect a client's willingness to take risk, it should be part of the investment conversation.

Natural and criminal disasters affecting the HNW community have amplified the need for individuals and families to fortify their homes and make safer choices that demand advance preparation. The ultimate goal after a disaster is to return to normal life as quickly as possible. Planning ahead and knowing what steps you need to take will help limit your risk and minimize vulnerability.

With more people investing more money in art and fine collectibles, whether for purely aesthetic or for strategic

Family business owners begin their adventures balancing two priorities: keeping the business as an integral part of an ever-expanding family and creating a profitable, sustainable organization. In the end, family is the guiding force behind the company’s success; maximizing value for the next generation is sometimes more important than maximizing economic value in the present. Creating the right legal foundation will allow owners to put family first when it matters most.

It is frequently suggested that that family offices should mimic institutions and adopt an institutionally disciplined and process-oriented approach when managing their investment portfolios. Through a process-oriented approach, institutions and family offices can be more effective and produce more efficient long-term results.

No Lapse Guarantee (NLG) policies, or policies with NLG riders are attractive to some insureds. The premise behind these policies is that as long as the premium is paid on time each year, the death benefit is guaranteed. Thus, many insureds, advisors, and trustees are under the impression that these policies do not require ongoing review. This is an incorrect notion.

In light of recent and widely reported art market litigation, many collectors, advisors, dealers, and galleries are more cautious and confused than ever about how to go about buying and selling art and collectibles without losses or lingering liabilities. In this article, Judith L. Pearson of ARIS Title Insurance Corporation discusses the rise of heightened best practices in art transactions as a standard, including the required use of title insurance.

As tax rates on the wealthy have begun to go up again, taxpayers have begun to take a second look at the few legitimate tax shelters still available, and this has renewed interest in investing through insurance dedicated funds (IDFs).This paper discusses two types of IDFs, Private Placement Variable Annuities (PPVA) and Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI). Gregory Curtis of Greycourt & Co., Inc., looks at:

In this article highlighting the importance of title insurance for fine art, Stephen D. Brodie of Herrick, Feinstein LLP, finds that: