Kurt Kauffman, J.D., LL.M. (Tax)
Director, Trust & Fiduciary Services
Denver
Throughout his 20+ year career, Kurt has dedicated himself to providing tax, estate, succession and charitable planning for high-net worth families for both their qualified and non-qualified assets based on a foundation of loyal relationships. At Sunflower Bank, Kurt works closely with clients, and also leads a motivated team of fiduciary experts. The Trust & Fiduciary Services team is dedicated to helping our clients manage, protect, and grow wealth with strategies that are unique, creative, safe, and adaptable to ever-changing and challenging environments.
In his most recent role prior to joining Sunflower Bank, Kurt served as Managing Director for Trust and Private Wealth Strategies in the Denver office of a national retirement planning and investment firm. His experience in the Trust industry is extensive, including a federal government appointment with the United States Department of the Interior. Kurt holds a law degree from the University of Montana School of Law and a Masters of Laws in Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law.
Philosophy
Clients spend considerable time and money to set up various planning vehicles that are designed to protect and growth wealth for their families and their chosen charities. However, those vehicles only work as well as the people hired to run them. We draw on our long experience to not just to satisfy our clients, but to impress them and make them proud of the results of their planning efforts.
What do you want clients to know about your department?
My team is very experienced and knowledgeable, but we will use those attributes to advise you—not supplant your judgment.
What has been your favorite moment in your career so far?
Once after finishing a large advisor group presentation, another experienced tax attorney told me he had never heard of most of the techniques I discussed. He was also the managing editor of a magazine and asked if I would write a large article for it. Out of that, I published an article in The CPA Journal, known as the “Voice of the Profession” for CPAs.
Investment and insurance products are not FDIC-insured, are not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by the bank or an affiliate of the bank, are not insured by any federal government agency and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.