On June 18, 2025, USA Today quoted Kevin Ghassomian on his tips for estate planning. According to USA Today, even the affluent and savvy sometimes struggle with long-term planning.
“Effective estate planning accounts for the moment when family members no longer see eye to eye, rather than assuming harmony will last,” Ghassomian explained.
USA Today also reported that there has been an increase in estate litigation in recent years, with numerous well-known figures—like News Corp patriarch Rupert Murdoch—at the center of such controversies.
“Buffett’s mistake was naming co-trustees of the trust,” said Ghassomian. “When co-trustees are given equal authority without a process for resolving disagreements, the result is not governance but gridlock,” he said. “Without a clear framework for decision-making, the trust becomes vulnerable to personal conflict and, ultimately, litigation.”
The Murdoch and Buffett “disputes do not reflect a failure of trusts as a planning vehicle,” Ghassomian added. “Rather, they illustrate the consequences of inadequate structure, poor governance design, or failure to anticipate future conflict. Trusts are not inherently problematic. In fact, when thoughtfully drafted, they are among the most effective tools for managing wealth, protecting beneficiaries, and carrying out long-term family objectives.”
Additionally, Ghassomian spoke about one factor people should consider when establishing a trust—its structure. “A well-conceived trust does more than name the right people, it provides the structure they need to make decisions, even when they disagree,” Ghassomian noted. “That might include a neutral tie-breaker, clear division of duties, or procedures to keep the trust functioning when consensus breaks down. Even well-intentioned people can disagree, and when they do, the document should offer a way forward that protects both relationships and the administration of the trust.”
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