Berkshire County Estate Planning Council

02/03/2026

H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” delivers some of the most important estate planning changes in years. The basic exclusion amount jumps to a permanently indexed $15 million, giving clients more room for strategic planning. The 37% top income tax rate is now locked in. The state and local tax deduction increases to $40,000, creating new opportunities for high‑income taxpayers. The Act also expands QSBS benefits, opening the door to even more powerful planning strategies.

When: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 8:30am Bring your own breakfast.

Location: Lee Bank Marble House, 102 West Park Street, Lee

RSVP: Tanya Haas [email protected]

This teleconference is offered free of charge to both members and nonmembers. Join us!

12/15/2025

11/20/2025

'Tis the season! Please join us for our annual holiday party at Mazzeo's. We can't wait to see everyone. Non-members are just $40...come check us out. No charge for BCEPC members. We can't wait to see everyone!

11/09/2025

All About Supplemental Needs Trust and Associated Tax Issues

In person Breakfast with Hyman Darling of Bacon Wilson.

This session will offer practical guidance on structuring and administering SNTs to support beneficiaries while protecting public benefits and ensuring compliance with key legal and tax requirements.

When: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 8:30am Breakfast, 9am - 10:30am Program

Location: Country Club of Pittsfield, 639 South Street, Pittsfield, MA

Sponsor: Lee Bank

RSVP: Marianne Fresia. [email protected]

Fee: Free for members, $40 for non-members. Pay via PAYPAL or mail a check: Marianne Fresia, October Mountain Financial Advisors, 103 W. Park St. Lee, MA 01238. Thank you!

10/20/2025

Reminder! There's still time to join us if you can...tomorrow's program is (free for non-members this month!)
Cannon Teleconference: Charitable Giving – Seeking the Perfect Match between Donor and Donee
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
12:30 PM 2:30 PM
Lee Bank Marble House
Sponsored by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

12:30 networking and brown bag lunch, 1pm program

08/06/2025

SAVE THE DATE! Our next live event is breakfast on Tuesday, September 9th and features Hy Darling.

8:30am registration & breakfast, 9am program

Live Seminar: All about Supplemental Needs Trust & Associated Tax Issues
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
8:30 AM 10:30 AM
Country Club of Pittsfield
639 South Street Pittsfield, MA,
Presented by Hyman Darling

We thank our event sponsor Lee Bank.

04/17/2025

Back by Popular Demand! Everything you wanted to ever know about Probate...Tuesday, May 6th is the time to ask.

Kindly RSVP to Marianne Fresia at [email protected].

Free for BCEPC Members, $40 for Non-Members. Pay via PayPal () or mail a check: Marianne Fresia, October Mountain Financial Advisors, 103 W. Park St. Lee, MA 01238.

03/28/2025

BCEPC Lunch and Learn in Lenox on April 3rd!
Join us for conversation and watch together.
NAEPC Webinar: Snowbirding - Living in More Than One Location in Retirement

When: Thursday, April 3, 12:30pm Bring Your Own Brown Bag Lunch. 1pm Webinar

Where: Berkshire Bank Wealth Management, 25 Main Street, Lenox

RSVP: Kindly reach out to Tanya Haas [email protected]

Fee: Free for members, $15 for non-members. Pay via PAYPAL or mail a check: Marianne Fresia, October Mountain Financial Advisors, 103 W. Park St. Lee, MA 01238. Thank you!

Speaker: Stephen B. Parrish, JD, RICP®, CLU®, ChFC®, AEP®
Steve Parrish is the Co-Director of the Center for Retirement Income at The American College of Financial Services, where he also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Advanced Planning. He was also recently an Adjunct Professor of Estate Planning and Interim Director of the Compliance and Risk Management at Drake University Law School. With over 40 years’ experience as an attorney and financial planner, Parrish frequently addresses the financial challenges of individuals, business owners and executives nationwide.

03/04/2025

Please RSVP via email to [email protected] by March 7.

02/05/2025

Reminder! Please RSVP by tomorrow, 2/6.

01/28/2025

Join us for our first in-person event of 2025...BCEPC Annual Meeting and a Tax Update presented by Jeff Belair.

11/26/2024

⏰ RSVP by TODAY for our Annual Holiday Party at Mazzeo's on Dec. 3 - https://mailchi.mp/6226904e61e4/holiday-party-2-10332702