Heather Carnes Downey

Ms. Downey advises clients on planning the distribution of their estates and the associated estate, gift, and income tax consequences. She drafts wills and trusts, and assists clients with the probate process. She also counsels clients on their businesses – from formation to succession planning. In addition, Ms. Downey assists families with Special Needs Planning.

Ms. Downey also advises life insurers on the tax and compliance issues that insurance companies and their agents face, particularly as they relate to advanced sales issues. She counsels insurance carriers and their agents regarding the uses of life insurance products in estate and business planning. She reviews and edits advanced sales training and supplemental illustration software. She also reviews advertising and marketing materials both for compliance with state and NASD advertising rules, as well as for general tax and legal viability. Her firm acts as National Counsel for Estate and Business Planning for leading insurers across the country.

Ms. Downey lectures nationally about life insurance considerations in estate and business planning and the tax consequences of those transactions.