- 7 - Petitioner did not seek a second opinion regarding the legitimacy of NTS or its trust services. Petitioner did not investigate Mr. Fritz’s background or attempt to confirm Mr. Fritz’s qualifications. Petitioner did not consult his personal accountant about NTS’s proposal that he establish trusts as a means to protect assets and reduce tax liabilities. Petitioners did not research NTS. Instead, in addition to Mr. Fritz, petitioners relied on information provided to them by representatives of NTS and by other purported clients of NTS. Other than NTS’s promotional materials, petitioners did not receive any written advice, such as a written opinion from an attorney, regarding the promotional materials received from NTS. On August 21, 1997, pursuant to information received by petitioners at the NTS seminar, petitioners formed RJ Pendergraft Trust using a trust indenture notarized by an NTS employee. Petitioner was the grantor, and petitioners were named trustees of RJ Pendergraft Trust. On August 22, 1997, two additional trusts, NHUSS Trust and In God We Trust, were formed using declarations of trust notarized by an NTS employee, which declarations were prepared by NTS. NHUSS, Inc., was grantor, and petitioners were named trustees of NHUSS Trust. NHUSS Trust was grantor, and petitioners were named trustees of In God We Trust.Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011