Grant R. Markuson

Grant R. Markuson, J.D., LL.M. (Taxation), is the managing member at Markuson Law Group, LLC and works out of the Batavia, Illinois office.  With a background in advanced estate tax planning, Mr. Markuson has concentrated his practice in the private placement insurance area for the last ten years. Mr. Markuson works primarily in integrating advanced estate planning within the private placement insurance arena.  Because of his expertise in this area, he is sought out by domestic and international trust companies, banks and insurance companies to address tax-compliance issues regarding the use of private placement life insurance planning.  As an international legal consultant, he consults with clients and their advisors throughout the world, and works extensively with other law firms to assist them in expanding their international practice in this area.

His focus has been on the use of private placement life insurance as a planning tool rather than as a product.  He has advised several top five banks, big five accounting firms, major law firms, and large financial institutions on this matter and has helped set up their private placement programs.  He has provided not only technical and regulatory advise, but also negotiated pricing and structural elements.  But he is most often sought for his advice on sales and distribution issues regarding the use of private placement life insurance.

At the request of Citigroup, Mr. Markuson was brought in to lobby and draft new legislation in the state of South Dakota to accommodate the use of domestic private placement life insurance planning within dynasty type trusts.  He worked extensively with the Governor’s office, the insurance commissioner, the insurance lobbying organizations, and various insurance companies regarding this matter.  Mr. Markuson was successful in negotiating a reduced premium tax, and favorable retaliatory tax treatment for trusts domiciled in South Dakota.  In addition, the laws were modified to make the use of hedge funds and private equity funds more available within private placement life insurance contracts.  He has been a key proponent with many major insurance companies for them reentering the domestic market.

He speaks at and has chaired several conferences regarding the use of private placement life insurance within both an international and domestic setting.  Mr. Markuson lectures extensively to tax attorneys, accountants, and financial consultants on the use of private placement insurance as a tax-planning tool.

Mr. Markuson has written several articles and technical training manuals for U.S. tax professionals on the topics of international tax planning and general estate planning, with a focus on the use of private placement life insurance.  In addition, he has authored two books on estate planning and retirement planning. He is active in the American Bar Association and the International Bar Association.

Selected Published Works

Author, “Private Placement Life Insurance:  New Insights for an Enduring Technique,” A Special Supplement to Trusts & Estates (December 2002).

Co-Author, “Tax Planning with Private Placement Life Insurance: Practical Considerations and Real World Uses to Achieve Tax Free Investment Returns,” 4 Asset Protection Journal 48 (Summer, 2002).

Co-Author, “Keeping it All: Using Private Placement Life Insurance to Achieve Tax Free Investment Returns,” Angel Investor Magazine (March/April, 2001).

Author, “Are You Ready for the Move to International Planning?,” Journal of Practical Estate Planning (April/May 1999).

Author, “A Step-by-Step Checklist for Advising Clients on International Planning Options,” Journal of Practical Estate Planning (June/July 1999).

Author, “The Secrets of International Private Placement Variable Insurance Contracts,” Journal of Practical Estate Planning (August/September 1999).

Author, “A Checklist for Cross Border Estate Planning,” Journal of Practical Estate Planning (October/November 1999).