Alex Cho, managing director at Intertrust Group in Hong Kong, talks to Hubbis about the increasing interest in trusts from wealthy mainland Chinese as part of the realisation of the value of proper estate and succession planning – and explains how to make the most of this business opportunity.

Relationship managers must be more proactive around helping their clients tackle thorny issues such as death, divorce and disputes in creating suitable plans for wealth transfer and general estate planning.

A number of forthcoming changes to US tax law will adversely affect current US estate and gift tax planning opportunities, in turn impacting a substantial number of people in Asia, according to Withers, the law firm.

Jonathan Hubbard of UBS Wealth Management explains what his role involves as head of the firm’s wealth planning business in Asia, and looks at how to effectively work with other parts of the organisation.

Jonathan Hubbard of UBS Wealth Management explains why wealth planning is increasingly important and relevant in Asia, and the role it plays within wealth management.

Nigel Rivers, managing director of TMF Group in Hong Kong, and the regional director of private clients in Asia Pacific, outlines how the increasing focus on inter-generational wealth transfer and the many considerations around planning for future generations is influencing how HNW clients today are thinking about how they manage and plan their wealth.

One of the biggest strategic opportunities for the wealth management industry in the long-term lay in its ability to service the increasingly urgent and complex needs of HNW clients in relation to succession planning and inter-generational wealth transfer. But only if they can overcome the main blockage at both the client and RM levels – education.

In line with the many regulatory, tax and general transparency-driven developments globally, there is a growing focus within Asia’s advisory community on how to make the best use of trust and other structures as part of the various wealth planning options available to HNW clients.

Bedell Trust has appointed Victor Ho as head of Asia Pacific to lead the development of its services to clients based in Asia, including those with family and business connections in the UK and Europe.

One of the most notable obstacles to capitalising on the growing need for wealth planning for Asia’s ever-wealthier and increasingly international families continues to be education – at both the adviser level as well as for high net worth (HNW) clients.

In line with the many regulatory, tax and general transparency-driven developments globally, there is a growing focus within Asia’s advisory community on how to make the best use of trust structures as part of the various wealth planning options available to high net worth (HNW) clients.

Barbara R. Hauser of Barbara R Hauser LLC explains the various planning considerations and challenges for families when trying to ensure smooth governance and wealth transfer.

Christian Stewart of Family Legacy Asia assesses the use of trusts as part of wealth planning for families, and explains the most effective way to use this tool in this succession process.

Angelo Venardos of Heritage Trust looks at how and why wealth planning is becoming more important in Asia, and how discussions with clients are evolving.

Elizabeth Thomson of ICS TRUST explains why it is so important for families and individuals to have in place an estate plan, and looks at some of the problems which arise from not being prepared.

Marcus Leese of Ogier looks at some of the trends and developments in estate and succession planning in mainland China, including key characteristics of the local market.

Jonathan Hubbard, head of wealth planning at UBS Wealth Management in Asia, explains how high net worth (HNW) individuals in Asia should view and use trusts.

Elizabeth Thomson of ICS TRUST looks at the different types of trust companies and individual trustees, and explains how families and individuals can choose the right one for them.

Marcus Leese of Ogier explains how estate and succession planning can help families tackle potential conflict over wealth, and looks at key considerations in the process.

Withers has hired private client lawyer Pearl Lam as special counsel, to advise on corporate reorganisation and charitable trusts.

Hubbis' inaugural China Wealth Management Forum in November 2011 sought to foster open dialogue and debate on strategic and operational issues facing the development and growth of the industry.

Shiv Gupta of RBS looks at the role of estate planning and philanthropy as part of the services offered to wealthy individuals in India.

A recent report conducted by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners has revealed 19 predictions for the development of wealth planning in Asia.

Atul Singh of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management looks at the potential for private banks to capture a greater share of the overall wealth which exists in India, and explains how to achieve this.

To further develop its fiduciary capability in Asia, RBC Wealth Management has launched a new trust office in Singapore.

Henry Hirzel of UBS explains some of the main skills and attributes that wealth managers need to be able to effectively advise families on wealth protection and succession planning.

Henry Hirzel of UBS discusses some of the effective ways for families to protect their wealth from one generation to the next, paying particular consideration to the family business.

Henry Hirzel of UBS looks at some of the specific issues for Asian families when planning for succession and the protection of the family business.

Thomas Vonrueti of Swiss Life looks at the potential for using life insurance as another estate planning tool.