Estate Planning for Problematic and Perplexing Art and Collectibles

Transferring difficult or sensitive artworks and collectibles in an estate planning context can raise a range of legal, ethical, and practical challenges. From street art and site-specific installations to works with problematic provenance, colonial histories, restricted materials, such as ivory, authenticity concerns, and AI avatars, these assets often defy standard discovery, valuation, and succession models. 

Sara M. Johnson, TEP, CFP, Vice President, High Net Worth Planning Services, International Estate, Art and Digital Legacy Planning, Family Office Services, RBC Wealth Management, brings experience in art collection management, art estates planning, digital assets inventory, and estate management, along with specialized study in art as a global business, art disruption, NFTs, tokenization of art, and related legal and tax planning. 

Through case studies, participants will examine issues of title, exportability and tariffs, repatriation or restitution claims, and technology and art market challenges. The session offers practical tools and best practices for identifying red flags, structuring compliant and forward-looking transfer mechanisms, and advising clients on stewardship and legacy planning in this complex space.