a. Discuss how ethical you believe the presenter is being by not telling the full story about CRTs. Keep in mind that what the presenter says is true, but not the whole truth.

b. If these presenters are the modern-day version of snake-oil salesmen, who should you go to for estate planning advice?

In the nineteenth century, people travelled the country selling tonics that were guaranteed to cure all ailments of mankind. In the twenty-first century, these “snake-oil salesmen” have been replaced by individuals who make professional presentations on estate planning. At the conclusion of the presentation, they are prepared to sell you, for many hundreds of dollars, a kit that will show you how to do everything they have discussed without the expense of a lawyer or tax professional. 

One such group extols the virtues of a device called a charitable remainder trust (CRT). It tells you how you can establish one using the boilerplate template provided in its booklet. The CRT will allow you to make tax-deductible contributions to it during your lifetime and upon your death will pass to a family foundation managed by your children. This will allow the assets to avoid estate taxes and probate. The presenter describes this as a cost-effective way to pass your assets to your children. All of what is said in the presentation concerning CRTs is true. 

However, what the presenter does not explain is that distributions from the family foundation can be made only to recognized charities. In other words, your children will own the estate but will not have access to it. These devices work well for a small percentage of the population, but will not serve the purpose that the presenter has alluded to for the majority of people.