ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL OF BIRMINGHAM, INC.

A Word from Our 2024 GOLD Level Sponsors . . .

Argent Trust Company

Argent Trust Company is the flagship entity of Argent Financial Group, a leading, independent, fiduciary wealth management firm with offices across the Southeastern U.S.  Responsible for more than $43.5 billion in client assets, Argent provides individuals, families, businesses, and institutions with a broad range of wealth management services, including trust and estate planning, investment management, retirement plan consulting and administration, ESOPs, funeral and cemetery trusts, charitable organization administration, oil and gas (mineral) management and other unique financial services. 

Argent’s Birmingham office is conveniently located on Lakeshore Parkway and houses a team of Argent Trust wealth advisors, as well as our in-house trust operations group, which supports the trust teams across Argent’s 12-state corporate footprint.

The office opened in 2016 under the leadership of Ken Alderman and is now led by market president Collins Compere. The trust team–which includes four past recipients of the Alabama Bankers Association Wayne F. Lambert Trust Professional of the Year Award–serves clients with fiduciary wealth management, trust, and estate administration needs.

BMSS Advisors & CPAs / BMSS Wesson Wealth Solutions

BMSS Advisors & CPAs was established in 1991 with the vision of creating an advisory and CPA firm that would provide peace of mind for its clients while sustaining a healthy, happy culture for its employees. As this dream has been realized, BMSS has grown to be one of the Southeast’s top advisory and accounting firms with six offices in Alabama and Mississippi.  

The CPA firm specializes in several industries, including (but not limited to) manufacturing, wholesale distribution, construction, technology, nonprofit and government contracting. In addition to tax planning and compliance and assurance services, the firm boasts a robust business advisory practice area which includes transaction advisory, valuation, client accounting solutions, and CFO advisory services. BMSS also specializes in state and local tax, estate planning and employee benefit plan audits.

Over the years, BMSS has continually grown to serve clients by expanding services, deepening areas of expertise, and equipping its people with the skills and knowledge necessary to take the best possible care of each client. This has resulted in the creation of the BMSS Family of Companies to meet their data, technology, payroll and financial planning and wealth management needs.

BMSS Wesson Wealth Solutions is a fee-for-service Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) established in 2016 to provide financial planning and investment advisory services as well as risk identification and mitigation planning for privately held business owners, executives, and high-income professionals as well as trusts and those who have inherited significant wealth. As BMSS clients have moved forward with building successful businesses, accumulating wealth, and looking to transition their business and wealth to the next generation, it made sense to form a business to meet their clients’ needs in these new stages of their lives in order to continue to provide them with the same high-quality service and honest advice delivered by the CPA firm. In addition to serving BMSS CPA firm clients, BMSS Wesson has expanded to serve the needs of other families throughout Alabama.

For more information about BMSS Advisors & CPAs or BMSS Wesson Wealth Solutions, please visit the respective websites at www.bmss.com and www.bmsswesson.com.

Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

Change happens when bold leadership meets opportunity. Our Community Foundation is dedicated to addressing our communities’ most challenging issues and providing hope for the future. By bringing together the dedication of community members and the generosity of philanthropic partners, we work to be a center for progress and a catalyst for change.

Dentons Sirote PC

For decades, Dentons Sirote's Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation attorneys have been dedicated to helping high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners achieve their long-term goals in a tax-efficient manner. As a premier Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation practice in the Southeast, our 16-lawyer Alabama team provides a comprehensive range of personalized solutions for estate planning, trust planning, wealth preservation, probate, and tax planning.

We also work with closely held business owners on generational transfers, succession, and tax planning; provide special needs, international, and charitable planning; assist fiduciaries with the administration of trusts and estates; handle estate and trust-related litigation; and assist with the establishment and maintenance of family offices. Our team boasts four members who are fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and ten with an LL.M. in Taxation.

In June 2021, we combined with Dentons, which has a presence in over 80 countries. This partnership has increased our global and national reach, making us one of the top firms in the region. We take pride in offering tailored solutions to our clients, and we remain committed to providing the highest quality legal counsel to assist clients in achieving their goals.

First Horizon

Since 1864, First Horizon Corporation (NYSE: FHN) is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and council. With $81.7 billion in assets as of December 31, 2023, we serve clients through a team of approximately ~7,300 associates and ~418 banking centers throughout the southeastern United States. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation’s best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. Locally in Birmingham, First Horizon has over 200 associates, is in the top 10 banks based on deposit market share and operates 7 banking centers in the metro area. In 2024, First Horizon is celebrating its 160th anniversary.

Maynard Nexsen, PC

Our comprehensive estate planning and business planning services include:

• Sophisticated will and trust drafting;

• Income, estate, and gift tax planning, including federal, state, local, and international tax planning;

• Business planning, including formation, structuring, sale, and other transitions;

• Charitable planning;

• Special needs planning;

• Insurance and employee benefits planning;

• Tax controversy litigation and dispute resolution;

• Creative wealth transfer and preservation techniques; and

• Estate, Trust, and Fiduciary Litigation, Mediation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Regions Private Wealth Management

For high-net worth individuals and families, Regions can provide effective wealth planning solutions that extend beyond traditional investment plans. Clients enjoy peace of mind knowing that the solutions we offer are:

• Centered around a client’s unique goals and aspirations and organized into a Wealth Plan.
• Led by a local Wealth Advisor that is supported by a team of professionals with experience in preserving wealth, legacy planning, lending, property and portfolio management.
• Upheld by the Fiduciary standard of care to place client interests ahead of our own.
• Delivered through a consultative focus and full balance sheet approach to understand each client’s holistic financial picture.
• Able to meet short, mid and long-term goals for present and multi-generational needs.
• Reinforced by technology and innovative strategies.

United Way of Central Alabama

The Welch Group

The Welch Group was founded in 1984 by Stewart H. Welch, III out of a vision to provide the Birmingham, AL community with impartial and trustworthy advice. As trailblazers in the industry, we helped pioneer fee-only investment management and financial planning services. We have since grown from a local service provider to a firm with a national footprint.

At The Welch Group, we specialize in offering financial planning services tailored to the unique needs of young professionals, families, and retirees. Our commitment extends beyond conventional wealth management; we also provide high-touch family-office services to well-qualified families. Our comprehensive approach is designed to carefully consider every aspect of your financial future. Your success is our mission.