Newport Beach, CA
Estate and Trust Planning Conference 2026
Date: July 16 - 17, 2026
Time: 7:15 a.m. – 5 p.m. PT
Member Early Bird
$790.00
Nonmember Early Bird
$1,020.00
Members, log in to access your discount.
Overview
As the rules shaping wealth, legacy and tax strategy shift, your clients look to you for clarity, confidence and a steady hand. That’s exactly why this annual gathering exists. CalCPA’s Estate & Trust Planning Conference brings together the sharpest CPAs, attorneys and financial advisors for a deep dive into what’s new, what’s changing and what’s coming next in this complex corner of the profession.
Across two days, you’ll explore emerging trends, smart planning opportunities, and real-world strategies you can put to work immediately. Expect high-level insights, practical guidance, and conversations with seasoned pros who live and breathe estate and trust work every day. It’s where top practitioners compare notes, sharpen their edge and stay ahead of the shifts before they hit the headlines.
Prefer to participate from your desk or your favorite corner café? No problem—you can join the entire experience virtually.
Early bird pricing expires June 4, 2026. Agenda and speakers will be announced soon and are subject to change.
Product Code
1000004380
Credit Type
CPE: 16Format
In-Person
Intended Audience
CPAs, attorneys and financial professionals involved in estate and gift tax planning and compliance; other estate planning professionals; practitioners with high net-worth clients and clients with interests in closely held businesses.
NASBA Field of Study
Taxes
Level of Difficulty
Intermediate
Prerequisites
Basic to advanced understanding of estates and trusts.
Advance Preparation
None
Learning Objectives
Agenda
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. PT
Registration Opens
8:30 – 8:35 a.m. PT
Welcome Remarks
8:35 – 9:25 a.m. PT
New Federal Developments: Estate and Trust Planning in a Changing Tax Landscape
Federal tax developments continue to reshape estate and trust planning strategies for high-net-worth clients. This session explores recent court cases, emerging issues in state tax litigation, and how provisions of the 2025 Tax Act may impact trust structures and long-term planning.
Speaker(s)
Andrew M. Katzenstein
9:25 – 10:15 a.m. PT
California Update: Key Legislative Changes Affecting Trust and Estate Planning
California continues to be one of the most complex jurisdictions for estate and trust planning. This session reviews recent legislation and emerging issues—including NING trusts, UFIPA developments, and the directed trustee statute—while highlighting practical implications for fiduciaries and advisors.
Speaker(s)
Justin T Miller
10:15 – 10:35 a.m. PT
Break
10:35 – 11:25 a.m. PT
Situs, Residency and Domicile Planning: Managing Multi-State Complexity
Where a trust—or its beneficiaries—resides can dramatically affect tax outcomes. This session explores how situs, residency and domicile rules shape planning opportunities and risks, particularly for California residents and clients relocating across state lines.
Speaker(s)
Kevin GhassomianElizabeth R. Glasgow
11:25 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. PT
Estate Planning in the Context of Divorce
Divorce can create significant complications for estate plans and trust structures. This session examines common issues involving SLATs, ILITs, property characterization and ethical considerations when advisors represent spouses navigating marital dissolution.
Speaker(s)
Steffi Gascon HafenCollette Torunyan
12:15 – 1:20 p.m. PT
Lunch
1:20 – 2:10 p.m. PT
Planning with Retirement Assets: Opportunities Before and After Death
Retirement assets often represent a significant portion of a client’s wealth—and require careful coordination with estate plans. This session explores inherited IRAs, Roth conversion strategies, insurance-based planning and the timing of pre-death versus post-death planning decisions.
Speaker(s)
Steven Trytten
3 – 3:20 p.m. PT
Break
3:20 – 4:10 p.m. PT
Valuation Issues in Estate and Gift Tax Planning
Valuation disputes continue to shape estate and gift tax outcomes. This session reviews recent cases and explores how valuation principles affect reporting positions, planning strategies and tax filings for clients with complex or closely held assets.
Speaker(s)
Megan JonesJonathan C. Lurie
4:10 – 5 p.m. PT
Charitable Contribution and Trusts
Charitable giving through trusts can create powerful tax and legacy planning opportunities—but requires careful coordination with reporting and compliance rules. This session explores charitable deductions, fiduciary accounting income calculations and the impact of recent tax developments on charitable planning.
Speaker(s)
Jeremiah W. Doyle IV
5 – 5:05 p.m. PT
Closing Remarks
5:05 – 6:30 p.m. PT
Reception
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. PT
Registration Opens
8:30 – 8:35 a.m. PT
Welcome Remarks
8:35 – 9:25 a.m. PT
Dementia, Diligence and Duty: Navigating Client Capacity and Ethical Responsibilities
Advisors increasingly encounter clients experiencing diminished mental capacity. This ethics session examines how practitioners should respond when concerns arise, including professional responsibilities, engagement considerations and recognizing potential elder abuse or undue influence.
Speaker(s)
Dawn Hall CunneenElliot Lewis ShellRonald B. Klein
9:25 – 10:15 a.m. PT
Digital Assets in Estate Planning
From cryptocurrency to online accounts, digital assets are becoming a larger component of client wealth. This session explores how digital assets are taxed, how they can be incorporated into estate plans and what advisors should consider when planning for their transfer.
Speaker(s)
Megan JonesKaren Sugihara
10:15 – 10:30 a.m. PT
Morning Break
10:30 – 11:20 a.m. PT
Maximizing the Estate and Gift Tax Exemption
With a historically high estate and gift tax exemption currently available, many clients are evaluating whether, and how, to act before potential legislative changes. This session explores planning strategies to maximize exemption use while maintaining flexibility for future developments.
Speaker(s)
Steven G. Siegel
11:20 a.m. – 12:35 p.m. PT
California Property Tax Issues in Estate Planning
California property tax rules can create significant planning challenges when real estate transfers occur through death or estate planning structures. This session examines reassessment triggers, reporting requirements and common issues practitioners encounter when handling property transfers.
Speaker(s)
Michael P. Kelly
12:35 – 1:40 p.m. PT
Lunch
1:40 – 2:55 p.m. PT
Real Estate Planning for High-Net-Worth Clients
Real estate often represents a substantial portion of client wealth and requires careful coordination with tax and estate strategies. This session explores planning issues involving debt structures, entity ownership, 1031 exchanges, Delaware Statutory Trusts and other complex real estate arrangements.
Speaker(s)
Robin Klomparens
2:10 – 3 p.m. PT
Addressing and Fixing Estate Planning Mistakes
Even well-crafted estate plans can encounter unexpected issues. This session examines practical tools, including disclaimers, decanting and protective powers, that practitioners can use to correct planning mistakes before or after death.
Speaker(s)
Steven G. Siegel
2:55 – 3:10 p.m. PT
Afternoon Break
3:10 – 4 p.m. PT
The CPA’s Role in Trust and Estate Matters
CPAs often play a critical role in trust and estate matters, from planning to litigation support. This session examines collaboration with attorneys, issues surrounding privilege and how CPAs can effectively navigate complex trust disputes.
Speaker(s)
Jeb Burton
4 – 4:50 p.m. PT
AI and the Future of Estate Planning Practice
Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape professional services, including estate and trust advisory work. This session explores how AI tools may affect research, client service, workflow efficiency and risk management—while addressing confidentiality, cybersecurity and reliability concerns.
Speaker(s)
Carmel Wynkoop
4:50 – 4:55 p.m. PT
Closing Remarks / Conference Adjourn
Faculty
Venue
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, CA, 92660
Get DirectionsCalCPA has arranged special rates for attendees of the Estate and Trust Planning Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach, CA. The room rates noted below are applicable for the nights of Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 16, 2026.
Standard Guest Room $249.00 per night (up to two people per room) + applicable taxes and fees
Rate applicable three (3) days before and after the official event dates (July 16-17), based on the hotel’s space and rate availability. Additional guest rooms are subject to Hotel availability and prevailing rates.
Your Resort/Destination Fee is waived, and the following services and amenities are included with your stay:
- Waived resort fee
- Beach Cruisers (up to 2 hours complimentary)
- Beach Kits Available (includes 2 chairs and an umbrella)
- 2 Bottled Water in guest room daily
- Computer usage and printing
- Electric Car Charging
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in guestrooms will be available to all guests
- and more...
Parking
Self-parking is available at a discounted rate of $20/night (July 15-17)
Booking Instructions:
-Please use the following link to book your stay: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/NEWPO/G-MGC0
Please note that the discounted room rate cut-off date is Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Sponsors
CalCPA would like to thank our sponsors for their generous support in helping make this event a success. Learn more about them by clicking on their logo below.
Our Gold Partners
Our Silver Partners
Our Bronze Partners
