Educational resource on South Dakota trusts · Not a law firm or trust company · Verify statutes with counsel
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Trust Advising Framework (Educational)

This playbook helps families and professionals structure conversations—not replace licensed advice. South Dakota Strategies does not provide legal, tax, or investment advisory services.

Advisory meeting materials for trust planning
Good advising starts with organized facts and clear roles.

Stage model

  1. Discovery — goals, family tree, liquidity, risk, philanthropy, business succession.
  2. Jurisdiction screen — compare SD and alternatives using a written factor matrix.
  3. Architecture — grantor/non-grantor, directed roles, protectors, distribution standards.
  4. Tax modeling — federal transfer tax, income tax, multi-state nexus.
  5. Drafting & funding — instruments, titles, insurance, entity alignment.
  6. Operations — IPS, meeting cadence, reporting, education of next gen.

Team design

Core

  • Estate planning attorney
  • Tax counsel / CPA
  • Investment advisor
  • Trustee or PTC board

As needed

  • Business counsel
  • Philanthropic counsel
  • Insurance specialist
  • Family facilitator / governance coach

Continue with questions for counsel and family office notes.