Bernard L. Karr

Summary

The speaker's practice focuses on tax and estate planning, helping families protect their businesses and assets, particularly in business succession planning for family-owned companies. With over two decades of involvement with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland, the speaker has supported inner-city youth through scholarships and mentorship. They also serve on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's board, guiding its fundraising efforts and strategic direction. The speaker emphasizes a strong commitment to client service, particularly in estate planning, where they provide compassionate guidance during difficult times for families navigating complex legal matters.

Takeaways

• 😀 A major focus of the speaker's practice is tax-oriented estate planning to help families save on taxes and protect their estates.
• 😀 Business succession planning is another key area of expertise, ensuring family-owned businesses continue smoothly across generations.
• 😀 The speaker works with many family-owned businesses to ensure their shares and interests are passed to the right family members.
• 😀 Over the past 20 years, the speaker has been involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland, focusing on supporting inner-city youth.
• 😀 Part of the speaker's work includes raising funds for the Boys and Girls Clubs, which operates five to seven locations at different times.
• 😀 The speaker also helps secure scholarships for young people, encouraging them to pursue higher education and stay connected with the program.
• 😀 The speaker has been on the board of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for over 12 years, contributing to fundraising and special event organization.
• 😀 The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame work involves guiding its future direction, ensuring it remains relevant and impactful.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the commitment to client service, especially in estate planning, where clients often feel lost after a loved one passes.
• 😀 The speaker and their team provide guidance and support to help clients navigate the confusing laws and forms involved in estate planning.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the speaker's professional practice?

The speaker's primary focus is tax-oriented work, specifically helping clients save on estate taxes and providing business succession planning services for family-owned businesses.

How does the speaker help family-owned businesses?

The speaker assists family-owned businesses in ensuring that their business can continue and that shares or interests are passed down to the proper family members in a way that supports the continuity of the business.

What has been the speaker's involvement with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland?

The speaker has been involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland for over 20 years, helping to raise funds for the clubs, arrange scholarships for youth, and encourage them to pursue and stay in college.

What specific role does the speaker have with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

The speaker has been on the board of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for over 12 years, helping with fundraising, organizing special events, and shaping the direction and future of the institution.

What does the speaker believe distinguishes their team within the estate planning group?

The speaker believes that their team is committed to providing not just technically proficient work but also compassionate service that helps clients through difficult times, such as after the death of a loved one.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of client service?

The speaker emphasizes client service because many clients are often confused and overwhelmed after the death of a loved one, needing clear guidance and support to navigate complex legal processes.

How does the speaker support youth in the community?

The speaker helps support youth by raising funds for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland, facilitating scholarships, and encouraging the youth to pursue higher education.

How does the speaker view the future of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

The speaker plays an active role in determining the future direction of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, ensuring that decisions are made about the institution’s growth, direction, and special events.

What challenges do families often face that the speaker helps address?

Families often face challenges in understanding complicated legal forms and processes after the death of a loved one. The speaker helps guide them through these challenges, ensuring the estate planning process is as smooth as possible.

What motivates the speaker to be involved in community organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

The speaker is motivated by a commitment to helping others, particularly youth in the inner city, and contributing to the cultural and community development through institutions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.