Profile

Brett Berly is a Shareholder in the Firm’s Trusts & Estates section. He focuses his practice on the representation of high net-worth individuals and fiduciaries of trusts and estates with respect to estate planning, probate, estate and trust administration, closely-held business succession planning as well as probate and fiduciary litigation matters. 

As a cancer survivor, Brett brings a unique perspective to his practice, drawing on his personal experience to help structure plans for clients that satisfy both their personal and financial goals and objectives.

Seminars & Presentations

• WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND WHAT DO I DO NOW – TRANSFER PLANNING IDEAS IN UNCERTAIN TIMES AND HOW TO REPORT THEM (2021)

• STORM PREPPERS: ESTATE PLANNING STYLE (2020)

• WHEN PARTING ISN’T SORROW: A DISCUSSION OF DISCLAIMERS IN ESTATE PLANNING (2019)

• SIMPLICITY – THE ESTATE PLANNER’S WHITE WHALE: ESTATE PLANNING FOR THE (CURRENTLY) NON-TAXABLE ESTATE (2018)

• THE HEART OF DARKNESS: A JOURNEY INTO THE GST JUNGLE (2017)

• IN GOD WE TRUST; ALL OTHERS MUST PAY CASH: BEST PRACTICES FOR INTRAFAMILY LOANS (2017)

• THE PROPOSED §2704 REGULATIONS:  IS THIS GRINCH GOING TO STEAL YOUR CHRISTMAS? (2016)
• THE FAMILY GAME OF THRONES:  A PLANNER'S GUIDE TO DRAFTING EFFECTIVE BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLANS (2015)
• TO LOVE, HONOR AND MAINTAIN SEPARATE PROPERTY:  AN ESTATE PLANNER'S GUIDE TO PROTECTING A SPOUSE'S PROPERTY RIGHTS (2014)
• YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU... BUT YOUR SPOUSE CAN!: HOW PORTABILITY WORKS AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS (2014)
• THE ROLLERCOASTER HAS FINALLY STOPPED!:  ESTATE PLANNING IN 2013 AND BEYOND (2013)
• THE 123s OF GST WHAT EVERY PRACTITIONER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFER TAX (2012)
• FOCUSING ON WHAT MATTERS:  CHANGING LAWS, FAMILY DYNAMICS, AND HOW THEY IMPACT A SUCCESSFUL ESTATE PLAN (2012)
• THE FULL MONTY ON CLOSELY HELD BUSINESS PLANNING:  CREATING A PLAN THAT COVERS ALL ANGLES (2011)
• CROSS BORDER TAX ISSUES (2011)
• THE TAX THAT FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST – SORTING THROUGH THE INSANITY THAT IS THE FEDERAL ESTATE TAX (2010)
• PLANNING PITFALLS AND POSSIBILITIES WITH RETIREMENT ACCOUNT BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS (2010)
• IS IT TIME TO TRUST YOUR IRA BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION?  A DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUES RELATED TO DESIGNATING A TRUST AS THE BENEFICIARY OF YOUR RETIREMENT ACCOUNT (2009)
• AN ESTATE PLANNING POTLUCK!  A DISCUSSION OF LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS, RECENT FLP CASES, RETIREMENT ACCOUNT PLANNING STRATEGIES AND ALTERNATE VALUATION ISSUES (2009)
• SO, YOU LIVE IN MONACO?  ASSET PROTECTION PLANNING FOR THE REST OF US (2008)
• PROCRASTINATION – HOW TO GUARANTEE ADVERSE TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR RETIREMENT ASSETS AT DEATH (2007)
• DESPERATE CLIENTS:  A SELECTION OF ESTATE, GIFT AND INCOME TAX ISSUES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF WISTERIA LANE (2007)
• WHAT IS IT WORTH?  AN OVERVIEW OF VALUATION ISSUES, APPLICABLE STATUTES OF LIMITATION AND ACCURACY RELATED PENALTIES IMPACTING ESTATE AND GIFT RETURNS (2006)

Professional and Charitable Affiliations

• Camp For All, Member of the Board of Directors and Past Chairman of the Young Professionals Board of Directors
• Houston Estate and Financial Forum, Director
• Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Exam Commission Member - Estate Planning and Probate Law
• Texas Bar CLE, Estate Planning and Probate Intermediate Course Planning Committee Member, 2016, 2017
• American Law Institute CLE Estate Planning, Law Advisory Panel Member, 2016 - Present
• Texas Young Lawyers Association 
• American Bar Association, Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust
• State Bar of Texas, Real Estate, Probate and Trusts Section
• Houston Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section
• Adopt an Angel Program, Firm Liaison, 2009 - Present

News

Presentations