A tax estimate and a funding source are different answers
When a client's wealth is concentrated in a business or property, the next question may be where usable cash would come from.
Marc Setton brings an insurance-focused estate-liquidity perspective to that discussion. You retain the tax and accounting work within your engagement. A conversation with SPF does not ask you to recommend insurance or approve a loan.
Two situations worth noticing
Substantial asset value, uncertain cash availability
The client owns a successful company or valuable property, but much less cash outside it. If an estate obligation has been identified, distinguish the asset’s value from the amount that could actually be used to meet it.
Business cash may be needed for operations. Expected distributions may not be available on the required date. A balance-sheet total does not settle the funding question—or establish that estate tax is owed.
A transition raises a specific payment question
An ownership change or a family’s proposed distribution of assets may require cash. The attorney establishes what the arrangement means and who must pay. The tax professionals evaluate the tax consequences within their roles.
If existing or proposed insurance is part of that funding discussion, Marc may help clarify the coverage and premium questions. Insurance is not assumed to be the answer
What is useful at the start?
A general description is enough to explore scope: the type of asset, the concern, whether timing is known, and which professionals are already involved. Mention whether insurance is part of the discussion, without sending policy details.
Do not submit client names, returns, financial statements or confidential records through the inquiry form. Before detailed work, establish the purpose, client authorization and appropriate information handling.
You do not need to send a completed fact finder or make a client introduction to ask a general question.
Keep the tax assumptions with the tax professionals
Useful questions for the tax work may include:
- Who established the possible liability, and which facts or dates could change it?
- If assets are sold or business funds used, what tax consequences affect the net amount available?
- If insurance or borrowing is considered, what treatment needs review before it appears in a comparison?
These are questions, not proposed tax conclusions. SPF does not prepare tax returns, determine final liability or give an opinion on deductibility or trust treatment.
Marc can explain the insurance-related assumptions that need your attention. He does not substitute his judgment for your analysis or counsel’s legal advice.
If an insurance proposal follows
Existing coverage and other resources should be considered before new insurance is selected. For any proposed policy, distinguish required funding and contractual guarantees from illustrated assumptions.
Borrowing to fund premiums adds a separate set of cash-flow questions. Review interest, fees, collateral demands and repayment alongside the client’s other obligations. A lower initial premium outlay does not mean a lower total cost.
Ask which figures require confirmation from the carrier or lender and which assumptions belong with the CPA, attorney or wealth advisor. Agree how material changes will be shared before client-specific work begins.
Review the advisor due-diligence questions for the fuller evaluation. Compare broader funding approaches before assuming that a new transaction is needed.
No insurance may be the right conclusion
The issue may be resolved by existing funds, another approach or further work by the client’s current professionals. If the insurance question falls away, there is no reason to manufacture one.
Marc does not charge a separate planning or advisory fee for this work. His compensation is tied to implemented insurance transactions under the applicable arrangement. That financial interest belongs in the evaluation. See compensation and conflicts.
Clarify the question before the introduction
If you want to understand whether Marc’s role fits a situation, start there. The next step may simply be identifying what your team needs to resolve first.