Three years ago each one of us became recipients of a $5 million coupon. That’s how I like to describe the estate tax exemption made permanent by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. (Adjusted annually for inflation, the 2015 exemption is $5,430,000.)

Beyond this attractive estate tax exemption “coupon,” one of ATRA’s most taxpayer-friendly aspects is a concept referred to as “portability.” A temporary feature under the previous tax act, estate tax exemption portability became a permanent fixture under ATRA. This portability now provides a means for married couples to fully use each spouse’s estate tax exclusion amount without having to worry about technical marital deduction formulas in their estate plans. In essence, your unused exemption “coupon” can be added to your surviving spouse’s. 

There are many ups and downs, difficulties and challenges in marketing your services to prospective clients. It is easy to let rejection and other obstacles take us out. In challenging times, the key to successful marketing and sales starts with one word – bounce.

No, it’s not fabric softener. And it’s not some soft, fuzzy, “feel-good” concept either. Bounce is a practical tool, a working principle that can help you gain the upper hand and build the business you want, on your terms.

A successful practice is built on relationships. Strong, personal relationships that last. Those kind of relationships don’t happen overnight, of course. They take time, effort and skilled communication.

I’d like to share with you my recipe for creating effective communication as part of your legal marketing strategy, a multi-layered approach that will help foster and promote lasting client relationships.