Estate and Income Tax Planning Takes Center Stage at CFWNC’s 34th Annual Professional Seminar

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina will host its 34th Annual Professional Seminar on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park.

This year’s program, “Turns Out, $30 Million Is a Lot of Money: Estate Tax and Income Tax Planning Considerations for Carolinians in a High-Exemption World,” will examine planning opportunities and practical concerns arising under today’s federal estate tax exemption, currently $15 million per person.

The seminar will feature estate planning attorneys Carl L. King of Womble Bond Dickinson and Rebecca Smitherman of Craige Jenkins Liipfert & Walker LLP. Both speakers bring extensive experience advising individuals, families, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations on sophisticated planning matters.

Topics will include:

• Estate planning strategies for a high-exemption environment
• Planning with family entities, including family LLCs and limited partnerships
• Considerations for large marital trusts, including distributions and terminations
• Charitable planning opportunities, including potential “zero-tax” plans
• Income tax planning and basis planning at death
• Fiduciary income tax issues across differing state tax regimes
• Recent changes in North Carolina law affecting trusts, estates, and planning decisions
• The program will also include guided discussions led by Lynn Wilson, CPA, a CFWNC Board Member, along with audience questions. Attendees can earn continuing education credit in several categories, including CLE, CFP, insurance, CTFA, CFRE, and self-reported CPE credit.

Ward and Smith is proud to sponsor this important annual program, which brings together legal, financial, tax, and philanthropic professionals to discuss timely issues affecting families, charitable organizations, and advisors throughout Western North Carolina.