Scott Simmons, J.D., LL.M.

Senior Wealth Strategist & Family Office Fellow

As a Family Office Fellow, I work in tandem with the Oxford Managing Director and our client's other advisors to enhance the client's wealth transfer plans and family governance structure. Leveraging both my law degree and Master of Laws in Taxation degree, I’ve spent the last 25 years of my career focused on tax and estate planning to maximize the retention of wealth for multiple generations. Because every client's situation is unique, we take a high-level, big picture approach to the structures involved with managing their wealth. We assess the impact of each piece of an individual’s estate including business interests, real estate and even digital assets. Then we evaluate it in light of tax and legislative changes. Arming ourselves with in-depth knowledge helps us stay relevant and implement strategies that put our client's interests first. Family trusts provide an effective way to distribute wealth or business assets. Supporting a client through this process requires fully understanding their long-term objectives and effectively coordinating the trust’s structure with overall plans for their business, investments, insurance and other aspects of wealth. As a Family Office Fellow, I add value by helping clients determine the “what-ifs” and ensure the trust incorporates the flexibility to adapt to unforeseeable events. During the trust establishment phase, we work to identify potential issues that could arise and look for ways to protect and enhance trust documents to accommodate flexibility for future generations. Changes in tax laws also create estate planning challenges. The Family Office Fellows share our insights and discuss effective wealth enhancement strategies. We view the process of supporting our clients as a team effort where seasoned subject matter experts coordinate solutions on the client's behalf. Once we’ve counseled our clients on the most effective wealth transfer strategies, we work to educate the entire family across multigenerational lines on the importance of the plan. We believe knowledge and empowerment is key to sustaining and growing wealth. By helping family members build a strong foundation in wealth management and business fundamentals, they are better positioned to work together and discuss risks, opportunities and solutions.

Leadership

Scott Simmons, J.D., LL.M.

Senior Wealth Strategist & Family Office Fellow

As a Family Office Fellow, I work in tandem with the Oxford Managing Director and our client’s other advisors to enhance the client’s wealth transfer plans and family governance structure. Leveraging both my law degree and Master of Laws in Taxation degree, I’ve spent the last 25 years of my career focused on tax and estate planning to maximize the retention of wealth for multiple generations.

Because every client’s situation is unique, we take a high-level, big picture approach to the structures involved with managing their wealth. We assess the impact of each piece of an individual’s estate including business interests, real estate and even digital assets. Then we evaluate it in light of tax and legislative changes. Arming ourselves with in-depth knowledge helps us stay relevant and implement strategies that put our client’s interests first.

Family trusts provide an effective way to distribute wealth or business assets. Supporting a client through this process requires fully understanding their long-term objectives and effectively coordinating the trust’s structure with overall plans for their business, investments, insurance and other aspects of wealth. As a Family Office Fellow, I add value by helping clients determine the “what-ifs” and ensure the trust incorporates the flexibility to adapt to unforeseeable events. During the trust establishment phase, we work to identify potential issues that could arise and look for ways to protect and enhance trust documents to accommodate flexibility for future generations.

Changes in tax laws also create estate planning challenges. The Family Office Fellows share our insights and discuss effective wealth enhancement strategies. We view the process of supporting our clients as a team effort where seasoned subject matter experts coordinate solutions on the client’s behalf.

Once we’ve counseled our clients on the most effective wealth transfer strategies, we work to educate the entire family across multigenerational lines on the importance of the plan. We believe knowledge and empowerment is key to sustaining and growing wealth. By helping family members build a strong foundation in wealth management and business fundamentals, they are better positioned to work together and discuss risks, opportunities and solutions.