Between Signature and Settlement:
Maintaining Asset and Liability Information, Communicating with Key Stakeholders, and Easing the Burden of Post-Death Administration While the Grantor Is Still Alive
Breakfast Meeting
In-person Only
Maggiano's - Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL
Fredrick B. Weber, Counsel, ArentFox Schiff
Program Description
Many clients believe their estate plans are complete as soon as they sign their documents, update their beneficiary designations, and retitle some assets. However, an unattended estate plan can lead to confusion, delays, family discord, and other unrealized intentions. This presentation provides practical tips, tricks, and strategies for the ongoing maintenance of estate plans during the period between document execution and the grantor's death. Attendees will explore techniques to help clients organize and regularly update asset and liability information—including financial accounts, real property, business interests, digital assets, and personal property—so that fiduciaries can identify, locate, secure, and value those assets efficiently when the time comes. The session will also include ideas to facilitate proactive communication among key stakeholders, including nominated fiduciaries, family members, beneficiaries, and trusted advisors, through regular family meetings and the gradual and continuous sharing of information over time. The goal of the program is to share concrete strategies for clients to deploy during their lifetimes to help minimize the risk of post-death administration challenges, strengthen their family relationships, and increase the odds that their well-drafted estate plans will achieve their desired goals after the clients are no longer alive.
About the Speaker
Fred Weber is Counsel in the Private Client, Trusts, and Estates Group at ArentFox Schiff, LLP in Chicago, where he represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in matters related to post-death administration of estates and trusts. He also works with clients and their families to help prepare for post-death administration before a death occurs. Before returning to private law practice in 2022, Fred spent 18 years as a professional fiduciary, first at the JPMorgan Private Bank and most recently with Northern Trust Company. As a professional fiduciary, Fred guided families through the post-death administration process. Fred has also worked as a planned giving officer and bequest administrator for a large public charity. Prior to law school, Fred spent three years in Washington, DC, working as an aide to the late U.S. Senator Paul D. Wellstone (D-MN).
A prolific speaker, Fred has presented on post-death administration and related topics to audiences across the United States. He also developed and taught a full semester course on post-death administration of estates and trusts at the John Marshall Law School (now the University of Illinois at Chicago Law School).
Fred is a member of the Chicago Estate Planning Council, the Chicago Council on Planned Giving, the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, and the Professional Advisory Committee for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. In 2025, Fred was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).
Fred holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Minnesota, and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois.
Fred resides in Chicago with his wife, Michelle, and together, they are the proud parents of three adult sons.
Location:
- Maggiano's - 4999 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Space #A28 Skokie, IL 60077
Rates:
- Season Pass Members: Free
- Regular Members and member's guests: $35 in advance, $40 at the door
- Non-members: $50
Agenda:
- 7:30 A.M. Networking and Breakfast
- 8:00 - 9:00 A.M. Presentation
- 9:15 A.M. Meeting Adjourns
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