Tag Archives: Estate Planning

Feature 2021

61. Estate Planning for Concentrated Equity Positions with Aaron Rubin



Though it may seem like a very distant and high-class problem that only the super-wealthy among us will ever have to contend with, for many tech workers who have accumulated a significant sized stake in their employer, it is not unlikely that estate taxes are something they will have to consider as a part of their overall financial plan. In fact, with the number of bills currently floating around the halls of Congress with the intention to increase tax revenue by lowering the estate and gift tax thresholds, there could be significantly more Americans who will be impacted by this “problem” soon enough.

In this episode, Malcolm Ethridge speaks with Aaron Rubin, a partner at Werba Papier, about some of the lesser-known estate planning challenges facing those with concentrated equity positions. Aaron also shares some of the more common mistakes he sees clients make prior to and immediately following an IPO that could be avoided with proper planning.

Aaron discusses: 

  • How to design a plan that keeps more of your money in your pocket and out of the hands of the IRS
  • The interesting and unique things he has seen people do following an IPO
  • Who should be concerned about qualified small business stock
  • What an intentionally defective trust is and how to apply it
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Aaron Rubin:

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

About Our Guest:

Aaron Rubin is a partner at Werba Papier, a wealth management firm that caters to pre-IPO executives and early employees. Prior to his current firm, Aaron spent time at Deloitte where he worked on trust and estates and honed his skills in their private client advisory. He also received his JD from the University of Illinois. In 2019, he published Financial Adulting, a guide to help young professionals navigate the challenges of taxes and investments in estate planning.


Feature 2021

32. Talking to Your Family About Money with Amy Castoro



We’ve all heard the statistics and read the articles about the pro athlete or entertainer who lived a life of luxury for years, spent money freely, gave it away, didn’t respect it, and then one day, they were no longer at the height of their fame and success, the dollars stopped coming in, and they were flat broke. However, what doesn’t get reported on nearly as much is the phenomenon of wealthy families who lose their fortune across just one or two generations.

In this episode, Malcolm Ethridge sits down with Amy Castoro, president and CEO of The Williams Group, as they discuss the process and preparation for a smooth transfer of wealth among multiple generations. Amy illustrates the critical need for open communication about more than just money in order to maintain healthy family dynamics during and after a wealth transfer..

Amy discusses:

  • Maintaining healthy family dynamics during the transfer of wealth between generations
  • What to consider as you begin to think about the role you want your wealth to play in the lives of the people you care about
  • Communication strategies to help families build trust when talking about money
  • How much financial support is too much support to offer your adult children
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Amy A. Castoro:

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

About Our Guest:

Amy Castoro is the president and Chief Executive Officer of The Williams Group, which prepares families for the smooth transfer of wealth among generations.

For ten years, Amy has specialized in preparing high-net-worth families to successfully transition their wealth while keeping their families united and in control of their assets. She is an accomplished author, keynote speaker, and senior family coach. Amy leads family members; high-net-worth advisors; business leaders; executive managers; and teams from Fortune 500 companies, startups, and nonprofits to innovate, lead, and work better together. Amy’s experience with The Walt Disney Company, Adecco Corporation, and Grant Thornton Management Consulting provide her with a strong foundation of leadership in organizations.

Amy is the author of Bridging Generations—Transitioning Family Wealth and Value for a Sustainable Legacy. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in organizational psychology from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York, and is a Master in Somatic Coaching through the Strozzi Institute. Also, Amy completed a three-year business course with Hecht and Associates that emphasized the design of new offers and optimizing threats and opportunities in business.