As the federal estate tax exemption continues to rise – now at $5,450,000 per individual, double that for married couples – estate tax-oriented planning is relevant for fewer and fewer clients. As the legal industry shifts focus away from federal transfer tax, one of the new areas of concentration is planning for clients who are not U.S. citizens, but who seek to invest, do business, or send family members to the United States.

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It’s not a secret that attorneys would rather spend more time nurturing client relationships and less time drafting legal documents. Especially, when you are getting started with estate planning and need to put any extra time and money into building your practice; not laboring over crafting a legal document.

As the final pages of 2015 closed and the first chapter of 2016 has opened, now’s a good time to reflect on the past year and look toward the next. Take a careful inventory of your 2015 accomplishments as well as opportunities for growth and improvement. Taking a hard look back will allow you some perspective as you plan for the year ahead.