President's Message

Giselle M. Hugues, Esq.

President, EPC of Greater Miami

Dear Valued Members:

Welcome to the 2025-2026 Council year! It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your President for the Estate Planning Council (EPC) of Greater Miami this year. Being a member of EPC has been and continues to be both personally and professionally rewarding. Over the last 10+ years, I have gotten to know and work with people who are exceptionally dedicated to their field and to the EPC. Thank you to all those individuals and organizations for your continued support. 

 

With the leadership of our passionate Board Officers and Directors, we have planned an exceptional year of events that will enlighten you on cutting-edge estate planning topics of interest and deliver networking opportunities to grow your practice.

You will find tremendous value from the vast array of Membership benefits, some of which include: 

 

  • An enviable and diverse array of nationally recognized speakers presenting on relevant trust and estate planning topics, and continuing education sessions at 6 monthly workshop + dinner meetings.

  • Our Annual Symposium, on February 9th, 2026, which will feature an all-star nationally recognized speaker lineup and promises to be the best one-day estate planning program in the State of Florida. 

  • Excellent networking opportunities with members of multiple disciplines at every meeting and social event.

  • Opportunity to invite professional colleagues as complimentary guests to one of our workshop + dinner meetings, as well as our popular socials events, which are supported by our outstanding partners. 

  • Biography, headshot, and listing by last name AND by discipline category on our online directory at www.epcmiami.org. I encourage all members to participate in this opportunity to personalize your profile for others to see. 
  • Leimberg Information Services (LISI) is included in your membership fee of charge (a $360 value).

As a Council affiliated with the National Association of Estate Planning Councils (NAEPC), you may take advantage of these benefits:

  • Council Nominated Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) Program:  The AEP® designation is highly regarded by other estate planning professionals throughout the country. Our Council may recommend qualified members for the AEP® designation from each of the following disciplines: accountant, attorney, insurance and financial planning, trust officer, and planned giving professionals. Council-nominated members must have a minimum of 15 years of experience in estate planning and hold one or more of the following qualifying credentials:  CPA, CLU®, ChFC®, CFP®, CFA, CPWA, JD, CAP®, CSPG, CTFA, MSFS, and MST. The application fee for these candidates will be $175, which is 50% of the usual fee.
  • National Conference:  All members are invited to attend the 62nd NAEPC Advanced Estate Planning Strategies Annual Conference, scheduled for October 19-23, 2025.  Visit http://www.naepc.org/conference for more details.
  • National Membership Benefits:  NAEPC offers many benefits, programs, and services, such as Leimberg Information Services (LISI). The full list is available at www.naepc.org.

I look forward to a great year ahead! 

Warm Regards,

Giselle M. Hugues, Esq.

President, EPC of Greater Miami