When a Client Dies: Advising the Family on Tax and Financial Issues Involved in the Administration of the Estate

Overview

This is a rebroadcast from AICPA ENGAGE 2026.

A client’s passing sets in motion a wide range of tax, financial, and fiduciary responsibilities that require thoughtful coordination and planning.

This session provides a comprehensive review of the myriad tax and financial issues involved in the administration of a client’s estate, including:

First steps to take upon learning of a client's passing

Coordinating efforts among the financial advisers assisting the family

Planning for and preparing federal and state estate tax returns, including the federal portability election

Planning for and preparing federal and state individual income and fiduciary income tax returns, including a review of the various income tax planning issues and elections that arise

Discussing various financial planning issues that the family faces, including qualified retirement plan distribution options

Advising on any generation-skipping income tax elections and issues

Highlights

Estate administration fundamentals

Tax compliance and planning

Income tax considerations

Family and adviser coordination

Retirement and wealth transfer planning

Financial planning for suvivors

Prerequisites

3-4 years in the profession

Designed For

CPAs advising families after a client death

Estate administration and fiduciary tax practitioners

Financial advisers coordinating with legal and tax teams

Professionals preparing estate, income, or trust returns

Objectives

Identify the tax and financial planning issues involved in the administration of a client's estate.
Determine the tax compliance issues faced in the administration of an estate.
Identify how the CPA can provide value to the family in the administration of a client's estate.

Notice

This course is offered by a 3rd party vendor and will not be accessible in the My CPE Tracker section of the ISCPA website. Course access information will be emailed directly to you by AICPA.