Bridgeford to Speak, Sponsor, and Host Reception at HTI’s 62nd Annual Conference

Bridgeford Trust Company is proud to once again sponsor the Hawaii Tax Institute’s Annual Conference, taking place November 2-6, 2025, at the Sheraton Waikiki Resort in Honolulu. Presented by the Hawaii Tax Institute Foundation and Chaminade University of Honolulu, this conference is among the nation’s leading gatherings for professionals in tax, wealth transfer, and estate planning, offering insights from a distinguished faculty of experts.

Bridgeford’s team is looking forward to the event! We encourage you to read on to learn more about our activity during the conference, and if you’re attending, we hope you’ll join us for a private reception on November 5 (details below).

Presentation: Exploring the INSECURE Act of 2019 and 2022

David Warren, Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, will be speaking during the conference on Tuesday, November 4 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. He will join Vincent Lackner, Jr. (Leimberg LeClair& Lackner, Inc.), Judy Lee (Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel LLP), and Amy Takahashi (Legacy Tax Group) for a panel discussion titled “The INSECURE Act of 2019 and 2022: What Every Wealth Transfer Advisor Needs to Know.”

The session will explore recent developments and trends in the rules governing retirement planning, including inherited IRAs, RMDs, stretch distributions, eligible designated beneficiaries, and key reporting considerations for advisors.

Private Evening Reception: November 5

We invite you to a private evening reception, co-hosted by Bridgeford Trust Company, Cerity Partners, MGO, and Halbach | Szwarc Law Firm. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and conversation overlooking Waikiki as we connect with colleagues across the legal, tax, and financial planning professions.

Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Location: Lanikai Lounge (Top Floor of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Kalia Tower)

We hope you’ll join us! RSVP here.

Visit Bridgeford’s Exhibit Table

David Warren, Doug Mikkonen (Senior VP & Senior Trust Officer), and Sydney Warren (Director of Business & Market Development) will be available at our exhibit table throughout the week. Be sure to stop by to connect and learn how South Dakota’s powerful modern trust laws—including its advanced asset protection, privacy, and dynasty trust provisions—continue to lead the industry in providing sophisticated and independent trust solutions.

If you have any questions about Bridgeford’s participation in the conference or would like to schedule a time to meet during one of the sessions or receptions, please reach out to us at (605) 224-9189 or via our contact form. We look forward to seeing you in Honolulu!

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Private Trust Company: A Powerful Family Governance Tool

For families of significant wealth, maintaining control and harmony across generations requires more than sophisticated planning—it demands structure, communication, and purpose. While HBO’s Succession dramatizes the pitfalls of family wealth, the real-world solution lies in proactive family governance and the thoughtful use of modern trust law.

As we explored in our “Protecting Families of Wealth from Themselves” series, planning tools such as Dynasty Trusts, Privacy Protections, Asset Protection Trusts, and Directed Trusts provide a strong foundation. Yet, for many families, the structure that brings these tools together under a cohesive framework of oversight, education, and participation is the Private Trust Company.

A Private Trust Company (PTC) is a privately held entity that manages the assets and wealth of a single family. Unlike public trust companies that serve multiple clients, a PTC is designed exclusively for one family, often those with complex assets such as real estate, businesses, artwork, luxury yachts, and aircraft.

Why Families Choose a Private Trust Company

A PTC can be an ideal option for families of significant wealth for several reasons:

  • Preserve Wealth: A PTC helps families preserve and protect their wealth by leveraging modern trust law planning tools available in top-tier jurisdictions such as South Dakota.
  • Plan for Succession: PTCs can help families plan for the next generation by transferring assets in a structured and transparent way, executed by family-appointed fiduciaries under the oversight of a Board of Managers. This framework creates an opportunity for families to shape the long-term stewardship of their wealth and cultural goals.
  • Provide Control: By establishing clear governance policies and procedures as well as a defined “statement of purpose,” PTCs allow families to maintain meaningful control over their wealth, even amid potential family conflict, divorce, or death.
  • Involve Family Members: A PTC creates opportunities for family engagement by allowing members to serve on the Board of Managers, advisory committees, or in fiduciary roles. This involvement encourages education, transparency, and collaboration around trust management, offering a level of participation not available through institutional trustee relationships.
  • Achieve Cost Efficiency: PTCs can be more cost-effective than institutional trustees because they typically operate at a de minimis profit or breakeven, often making them a less expensive solution for families with approximately $500 million or more in assets.

Throughout our “Protecting Families of Wealth from Themselves” series, we’ve explored how modern trust law empowers families to preserve, protect, and guide wealth across generations. A Private Trust Company brings these concepts together—combining structure, education, and independence within a single governance model that promotes lasting family harmony and control.

As part of this ongoing discussion, we invite you to watch the recording of our livestream presentation inspired by HBO’s Succession, which examines these planning concepts in greater depth and offers practical insights for families of wealth. View the presentation on our YouTube Channel.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Private Trust Companies, please reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189.

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Podcast Episode 51 – Beyond Portfolio Management: PPLI, Crypto, and the Next Era of Wealth Planning with Heath Goldman

bridgeford-podcast

Episode 51 is now available on Bridgeford Trust Company’s Delivering Direction and Control podcast series! You can also watch new episodes on our YouTube channel, offering a dynamic way to experience the engaging discussions.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with Heath Goldman – President & CEO of ICON Wealth and Legacy Partners – for a conversation on how insurance planning is evolving in today’s chaotic world.

From Heath’s pivot from law school to wealth planning, to decades spent helping ultra-successful families rethink liquidity, legacy, and risk, he shares why traditional portfolio management simply isn’t enough anymore.

As they continue their discussion, Heath and David explore the resurgence of life insurance as a planning strategy rather than a product, with a deep dive into how Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) is reshaping tax deferral and wealth transfer. The conversation also hits on one of the most groundbreaking shifts in the planning world, particularly in South Dakota, where forward-thinking rules allow PPLI policies to hold crypto and other non-traditional assets, offering both tax efficiency and powerful asset protection. It’s a strategy more families are exploring as conversations move beyond traditional planning.

You can listen to our latest episode on Bridgeford’s podcast page, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and SoundCloud—or watch it on our YouTube channel.

Bridgeford Trust Company’s Delivering Direction and Control podcast was developed to educate, challenge, and inspire listeners. As we interview experts in the trust planning arena, we keep listeners updated on developments regarding modern trust law and provide practical discussion on the powerful trust planning opportunities available to advisors around the country and the world—all in an effort to deliver far more direction and control to clients and their advisors than ever before. Check out all of our episodes here: bridgefordtrust.com/podcasts.

If you have questions on any of the topics discussed in this latest episode, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189.

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Bridgeford to Sponsor and Speak at Upcoming October Events

Bridgeford Trust Company is honored to participate in a series of industry events throughout the next month. These gatherings provide important opportunities to connect with professionals across estate planning, international tax, real estate, and wealth management, while highlighting the power of South Dakota’s modern trust laws and Bridgeford’s independent and conflict-free approach.

We hope to see you at these upcoming events, and please contact us if you’d like to connect!

October 1: US-Mexico Strategic Real Estate Investments Summit (Miami, FL)

Bridgeford will sponsor the US-Mexico Strategic Real Estate Investments Summit, a premier event fostering cross-border collaboration in real estate between the United States and Mexico. The program, held at Akerman LLP’s office in Brickell City Center, features keynotes, expert panels, and networking sessions.

We have a limited number of complimentary attendee tickets available, so if you are interested in joining us at this event, please contact us.

October 10: Newport Beach Chamber’s 2026 Economic Forecast (Newport Beach, CA)

Bridgeford is a returning sponsor for the Newport Beach Chamber’s Economic Forecast, a highly anticipated event providing valuable insights for budgeting, finance, real estate, and investment planning with a focus on the 2026 economy.

David Warren (Co-Founder & Chairman), Doug Mikkonen (Senior VP & Senior Trust Officer), and Sydney Warren (Director of Business & Market Development) will be attending and look forward to hosting a table. We have a limited number of seats available, so if you are interested in joining us, please contact us.

October 19-21: NAEPC Advanced Estate Planning Strategies Conference (Washington, DC)

Bridgeford is proud to sponsor the 62nd Annual NAEPC Conference, a gathering designed to foster multi-disciplinary collaboration among estate planning professionals with nationally recognized speakers in estate planning, tax law, and wealth management.

Our team will be at our exhibit table throughout the event, so be sure to stop by if you’re attending!

October 21-22: Trusted Advisor’s Sports X Miami Summit (Miami, FL)

Bridgeford is excited to speak at and sponsor the Sports X Miami Summit, returning for its third year as a a one-day event dedicated to bringing together top minds from the sports and entertainment industries.

The event begins with a welcome party on October 21, followed by a full-day summit on October 22. David Warren will be speaking, sharing insights on modern trust law and planning strategies relevant to the global sports and entertainment community.

If you’re interested in attending, please reach out to us for more information on this exclusive event!

October 22-23: STEP Miami Summit (Coral Gables, FL)

Bridgeford is once again sponsoring the STEP Miami Summit, a leading event connecting and empowering professionals in the wealth management and private client industry while exploring cross-border planning, evolving regulations, and best practices for global clients.

This year’s summit will be held at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. David Warren and Sydney Warren will be attending, and we invite you to stop by our exhibit table throughout the event to talk with us about how we may be able to collaborate to best serve your domestic and international clients.

October 29-31: Procopio International Tax Institute (San Diego, CA)

Bridgeford is honored to sponsor the 20th Anniversary Procopio International Tax Institute (PITI), presented in collaboration with the Graduate Tax Program of Georgetown University and International Fiscal Association (IFA USA). This milestone event is recognized as the leading forum for the latest developments in U.S. and Mexican international tax law.

As we move through this upcoming month, our team is looking forward to engaging in meaningful conversations and exploring opportunities for collaboration. If you’ll be attending any of these events, we welcome the chance to connect.

Stay tuned for event updates on our LinkedIn page, and feel free to contact us at (605) 224-9189 or via our contact form with any questions or to schedule a time to meet.

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Effective Family Governance: Education and Preparation

family-governance

Perhaps the genesis of the family conflict and dysfunction portrayed in HBO’s Succession is Logan Roy’s poor and secretive communication style, combined with his constant pitting of the siblings against one another, often to achieve sinister objectives.

This is arguably one of the more dramatized elements of the series. In reality, while first-generation wealth creators often struggle with giving up control, most typically want the smooth transition of wealth and power to next and subsequent generations. Most are committed to fostering harmony within the family and protecting their families over multiple generations from themselves and from the pitfalls of inheriting extreme wealth and power, so starkly portrayed in the series.

As we noted in the kickoff to our Succession series, Protecting Families of Wealth from Themselves, there is a critical need for strategic trust planning, modern trust laws, and effective family governance among ultra-high-net-worth families. Tools like Dynasty Trusts, Privacy Protections, Asset Protection Trusts, and Directed Trusts help safeguard wealth and maintain control, but without effective family governance to guide communication, decision-making, and education, these tools cannot fully work together to protect families across generations.

Tools for Effective Family Governance

Consultants who specialize in family governance focus on educating and preparing next and future generations for the responsibilities of extreme wealth. The most effective strategies to foster communication and the smooth transition of wealth and control often include:

  • Financial literacy programs – focused on understanding and handling the responsibilities of generational wealth.
  • Clear communication of family values and legacy goals – facilitated through well-organized family meetings, often led by objective third parties.
  • Gradual introduction to wealth management responsibility – appointing next-generation family members to fiduciary roles within a directed trust structure to build experience over time.
  • Philanthropic engagement – entrusting next generations to manage family foundations or charitable initiatives to understand the importance of wealth and its potential to serve others less fortunate and bring about great change in the world.
  • Private Trust Companies (PTCs) – established to engage next and subsequent generations in managing and overseeing wealth management and business operations within a structured environment.

Unlike the Roy family, most wealth creators are committed to fostering harmony, continuity, and shared purpose across generations. Effective family governance—grounded in education, transparency, and structured participation—ensures that wealth remains a unifying force rather than a divisive one.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about effective family governance and how it integrates with the trust planning tools highlighted in this series, please reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189.

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Podcast Episode 50 – Serving the Global Entertainment & Pro Sports Community: Building Trusted Advisor with Matthew Hoffman

bridgeford-podcast

Episode 50 is now available on Bridgeford Trust Company’s Delivering Direction and Control podcast series! Don’t forget, you can also watch new episodes on our YouTube channel, offering a dynamic way to experience the engaging discussions.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – is joined by Matthew Hoffman, Founder of Trusted Advisor, an exclusive network for advisors to high-net-worth clients in entertainment, music, and pro sports worlds, of which Bridgeford is a proud member.

Listen in as Matthew shares his entrepreneurial journey from architecture and technology startups to creating Trusted Advisor, an organization that has quickly become a global platform connecting top-tier professionals. What began as a solution to an unstructured and underserved space has grown into a 600+ international member network.

Together, David and Matthew explore the origins and entrepreneurial spirit behind Trusted Advisor and how it fills a critical gap for private client advisors by bringing real value through education and thought leadership. They discuss the importance of building networks rooted in credibility, reputation, and trust—particularly for athletes, entertainers, and influencers navigating complex financial and personal challenges—as well as the organization’s rapid international growth and what lies ahead for the platform.

You can listen to our latest episode on Bridgeford’s podcast page, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and SoundCloud—or watch it on our YouTube channel.

Bridgeford Trust Company’s Delivering Direction and Control podcast was developed to educate, challenge, and inspire listeners. As we interview experts in the trust planning arena, we keep listeners updated on developments regarding modern trust law and provide practical discussion on the powerful trust planning opportunities available to advisors around the country and the world—all in an effort to deliver far more direction and control to clients and their advisors than ever before. Check out all of our episodes here: bridgefordtrust.com/podcasts.

If you have questions on any of the topics discussed in this latest episode, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189.

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Bridgeford Heads to London, Zurich, and Dublin in September

europe-september

Bridgeford Trust Company is excited to be in Europe this September for a series of events and presentations, including exclusive Trusted Advisor gatherings in London and Zurich and the premier Transnational Taxation Network (TTN) Europe Conference in Dublin. David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, looks forward to connecting with our friends across the pond—you can register for our events below or reach out to schedule a time to meet!

Trusted Advisor London with Bridgeford – September 17

We are thrilled to partner with Trusted Advisor to host an exclusive gathering in London, bringing together leading professionals across the estate planning, entertainment, and advisory industries. David Warren will lead a discussion focused on geopolitical issues impacting planning for families across Europe and around the world, and will be joined by Patrick Harney (Mishcon de Reya LLP), Geralda Kral (UMA Wealth), and additional panelists to be announced soon. Guests will enjoy both insightful dialogue and opportunities for meaningful networking.

  • Date & Time: Wednesday, September 17 | 6:00 – 8:30 PM
  • Location: COYA Mayfair, 118 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NW
  • Register by clicking here

Trusted Advisor at the Zurich Film Festival – September 23

Following our London collaboration, Bridgeford and Trusted Advisor will host an intimate evening in Zurich, coinciding with the Zurich Film Festival. David Warren will take part in a panel discussion focused on film and television. This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with leaders from music, entertainment, professional sports, and the advisory world for thoughtful conversation and cocktails.

  • Date & Time: Tuesday, September 23 | 5:00 – 7:30 PM
  • Location: Restaurant Weisses Rossli, Bederstrasse 96, Zurich
  • Register by clicking here

Transnational Taxation Network (TTN) Europe Conference – September 26

We will conclude our time in Europe at the TTN 2025 Europe Conference in Dublin, where Bridgeford is a sponsor and David Warren will be a featured speaker. This premier international tax conference convenes TTN members and leading tax professionals to share perspectives on complex cross-border planning and emerging taxation issues.

  • Date: Friday, September 26
  • Location: Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel
  • For more information, click here

This September promises to be an exciting time for Bridgeford in Europe, as we engage in meaningful conversations on modern U.S. trust law and South Dakota’s progressive fiduciary landscape with colleagues in the international planning community. We hope to see you in London, Zurich, or Dublin—and encourage you to reach out at (605) 224-9189 or via our contact form with any questions or to schedule a time to meet.

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Asset Protection Trusts: Preserving Wealth

asset-protection-preserving-wealth

In HBO’s Succession, legal threats came from every direction including business rivals, government investigators, and even within the Roy family itself. As we explored in our article, “Protecting Families of Wealth from Themselves: Lessons from HBO’s ‘Succession,’” the series offers a compelling lens into what can go wrong when the complexities of wealth, power, and family dynamics go unaddressed. It underscores the critical need for strategic trust planning that relies on powerful modern trust laws, especially among ultra-high-net-worth families.

Effective asset protection is essential for preserving wealth across generations, protecting family assets from external claims and legal challenges, as well as internal threats like rogue family members and divorcing spouses. Yet despite its clear value, asset protection is often mischaracterized as unethical and nefarious. When carefully designed and executed under the laws of progressive and highly regulated U.S. trust jurisdictions, however, it is a legitimate and vital strategy. For families of significant wealth, it is a critical tool to protect next and subsequent generations from themselves.

Domestic Asset Protection in South Dakota

Domestic Asset Protection Trusts (DAPTs)—available exclusively in a handful of top-tier trust jurisdictions, including South Dakota—are designed to legally shield assets from third-party liability (including spouses in a divorce proceeding) and lawsuits. At the same time, they allow settlors (the individuals establishing the trusts) to retain some control over trust assets and enjoy a discretionary benefit during their lifetime.

A DAPT can be fully discretionary, meaning the settlor may receive financial benefit from the trust (such as income and discretionary principal distributions) while safeguarding trust assets from creditor claims and lawsuits. When paired with South Dakota’s Directed Trust structure, the settlor can also maintain control over investment management. South Dakota has one of the oldest and most progressive self-settled domestic asset protection provisions in the U.S., and with its two-year “look back” fraudulent conveyance statute, South Dakota’s provision is among the shortest in the country.

DAPTs are also increasingly used in lieu of or in conjunction with prenuptial agreements in the pre-marital planning process. While prenups serve a specific purpose, many couples are hesitant to execute them due to personal or legal concerns and as such, many practitioners have turned to alternative ways of protecting assets obtained prior to marriage.

For families with extreme wealth, DAPTs are a powerful planning tool that could have avoided some of the intra-family drama and outside attacks depicted in Succession.

As part of this ongoing discussion, we invite you to watch the recording of our livestream presentation inspired by HBO’s Succession, which examines these planning concepts in greater depth and offers practical insights for families of wealth. View the presentation on our YouTube Channel.

If you have any questions or are looking for further information about South Dakota’s asset protection laws and how they can be used to preserve wealth across generations, please reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189.

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Podcast Episode 49 – Leading with Yes: Inside the Modern Family Office with Justyn Volesko

bridgeford-podcast

Episode 49 is available on Bridgeford Trust Company’s Delivering Direction and Control podcast series! Don’t forget, you can now also watch new episodes on our YouTube channel, offering a dynamic way to experience the engaging discussions.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with Justyn Volesko – Partner and Co-Head of Family Office at Cerity Partners – for an insightful discussion on redefining the modern family office.

Justyn shares his career journey, from his time at Goldman Sachs to the big ideas that drove him to launch AJ Wealth, and ultimately his decision to join Cerity Partners to build a premier family office offering. He explains what truly differentiates a family office from firms merely offering “family office services,” emphasizing the critical need to understand and integrate tax, estate, asset protection, and financial planning disciplines to develop an optimal plan and deliver a holistic perspective.

Throughout the conversation, Justyn shares why leading with “yes” is essential in complex planning, describes the infrastructure behind scaling a high-touch family office model, and explains how proactive tax planning and technical expertise protect and enhance wealth while staying firmly within legal boundaries. David and Justyn also discuss planning amid geopolitical uncertainty, noting that truly knowing their clients allows them to anticipate risks and adjust planning strategies proactively. They highlight how flexible trust jurisdictions like South Dakota, and tools like decanting, make it possible to revise structures swiftly as circumstances evolve, ensuring clients’ plans remain aligned with their goals in a shifting landscape.

You can listen to our latest episode on Bridgeford’s podcast page, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and SoundCloud—or watch it on our YouTube channel.



Bridgeford Trust Company’s Delivering Direction and Control podcast was developed to educate, challenge, and inspire listeners. As we interview experts in the trust planning arena, we keep listeners updated on developments regarding modern trust law and provide practical discussion on the powerful trust planning opportunities available to advisors around the country and the world—all in an effort to deliver far more direction and control to clients and their advisors than ever before. Check out all of our episodes here: bridgefordtrust.com/podcasts.

If you have questions on any of the topics discussed in this latest episode, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189.

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White Label Trust Services: Rethinking the Traditional Trust Model

White Label Trust Services

As the trust industry continues to evolve, there is growing demand for more flexible, conflict-free solutions that reflect the needs of today’s advisors and the families they serve. At Bridgeford Trust Company, we’ve long embraced the idea that an unbundled alternative to the traditional bundled trust and asset management model is the future of our industry.

White label trust services—sometimes referred to as private label trust services—reflect this shift. Designed for family offices, RIAs, insurance professionals, and investment managers, this approach allows advisors to offer sophisticated trust planning options to their clients without taking on the burden of trust administration or compromising their brand identity.

Understanding the White Label Approach

Bridgeford Trust Company’s white label trust services provide the regulatory framework, infrastructure, and trust expertise, while the advisory firm remains the primary client relationship holder. This offering is particularly valuable for firms that do not have trust powers or want to expand their capabilities without building a trust company from the ground up.

Because “white label” means something different to everyone, we work across a continuum of options to meet firms where they are and deliver a highly customizable arrangement. This may include:

  • A fully branded experience, where trust statements and client communications feature the advisor firm’s name.
  • A co-branded model with Bridgeford Trust Company identified as the trust provider.
  • A completely independent relationship with no brand integration at all.

These and many other collaboratively designed options can be adapted to meet the unique needs of the firm, while also providing marketing and sales support to effectively communicate trust solutions, training and education to confidently discuss the advantages of South Dakota’s modern trust laws, and back-office infrastructure that includes accounting and reporting support, with flexibility around asset custody.

To learn more about Bridgeford Trust Company’s white label trust services, or to explore a customized relationship, reach out to our team at (605) 224-9189 or via our contact page.

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