Wealth Planning

The 2020 Election and Estate Planning

September 24, 2020


Clay R. Stevens
Clay R. Stevens

Director in Strategic Planning, Partner

Clay has been serving ultra-affluent clients with complex estate planning, income tax, philanthropy, and insurance problems since 1995, and with Aspiriant since 2004. Clay has served as the primary estate planning advisor for clients nationwide with a net worth between $10 million and $500 million. Prior to joining Aspiriant, Clay spent several years as a tax attorney with the Orange County office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and more recently directed the estate and trust services department with myCFO for their Orange County office.

Clay has authored articles in various tax publications and has lectured on many estate planning subjects. Currently, he is an adjunct Professor of Law at Chapman University Law School and teaches a course on Estate Planning and a separate course on Estate Planning for High Net Worth Individuals.

An attorney, Clay received a BA degree in Economics from Occidental College, and earned a master’s degree in Tax Law from New York University School of Law. Clay received his JD degree from Pepperdine University School of Law, graduating magna cum laude, while serving as an editor on the Pepperdine Law Review.

Rachel Lee
Rachel Lee

Director in Strategic Planning, Partner

Rachel joined Aspiriant in 2018 and brings nearly a decade of experience advising ultra-high-net-worth families on complex estate, gift and income tax planning. As a Director in the Strategic Planning group, she helps clients navigate multigenerational wealth transfer, philanthropic giving, business succession and major liquidity events with clarity and care.

Rachel works closely with executives, entrepreneurs and family business owners to design thoughtful strategies that align wealth with long-term goals. Her work often includes advising on qualified small business stock (QSBS), supporting next-generation education and helping clients build lasting philanthropic legacies.

In addition to her role at Aspiriant, Rachel is affiliated with Strategic Planning Law Group, P.C., a California-based estate planning firm. She is deeply engaged in the estate planning community through her work with the American Bar Association’s Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law (RPTE). Rachel currently serves as Assistant Trust & Estate Editor of the Section’s quarterly e-Report and holds a leadership role within its Business Planning Group. She was selected for RPTE’s 2021–2023 Fellows Program and is a current participant in the Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders Program through the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).

Rachel earned her J.D. from UCLA School of Law, completing a Specialization in Taxation. She graduated magna cum laude from Fordham University with a B.A. in Communication and Media Studies and a minor in Psychology. While she does not practice law in her role at Aspiriant, she is licensed to practice in California.


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