Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten Howe and Associate Attorney Ariana Flynn shine a light on the often misunderstood world of probate. They discuss why estate planners typically seek to avoid probate, the situations that make it unavoidable, and the key role of the personal representative—whether executor or administrator—in guiding the process. By exploring how the court appoints someone to oversee an estate, they underscore the importance of having a well-crafted plan in place. If you’ve ever wondered about the nuts and bolts of probate or questioned whether your own...
info_outline 166: Don't Fall for Disaster Scams: Tips to Safely Support Fire Relief EffortsAbsolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten Howe and Jessica Colbert discuss the ongoing Los Angeles fires and offer practical advice on how to help victims without falling prey to scams. From identifying legitimate charities to safely navigating crowdfunding platforms, they outline actionable steps to ensure your generosity has a real impact. The episode also highlights essential disaster preparedness tips, including safeguarding your pets during emergencies. We’re thinking of everyone and hope you all stay vigilant, give wisely, and can help make a meaningful difference in times of...
info_outline 165: When ‘I Wish’ Isn’t Enough: Precatory Clauses and the Mangione Family EstateAbsolute Trust Talk
If you’ve been following the news lately, chances are you’ve heard of Luigi Mangione, the man at the center of recent headlines for allegedly shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. While the criminal case has drawn widespread attention, what caught our interest is a surprising detail about Mangione's personal life: he’s reportedly listed as a beneficiary in his wealthy grandmother’s estate. Even more intriguing, the will allegedly includes a precatory clause—or “wish language”—suggesting that beneficiaries charged with a felony could forfeit their inheritance. ...
info_outline 164: Shielding Your Legacy: How to Avoid Estate Litigation PitfallsAbsolute Trust Talk
Welcome back to Absolute Trust Talk for Part 2 of our exciting deep dive into estate litigation with our associate attorney and former litigator, Ariana Flynn! In this episode, we’re exploring the steps you can take to prevent challenges to your estate plan after you’re gone. Ariana shares valuable insights from her experience, including how writing explanatory letters to explain tough decisions and how receiving a neuropsych evaluation can also make a difference. We also discuss how working closely with your estate planner can help protect your wishes, with tips on handling co-trustees...
info_outline 163: Courthouse Confessions: Inside Trust and Estate LitigationAbsolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, managing attorney Kirsten Howe welcomes associate attorneys Jessica Colbert and Ariana Flynn to discuss common issues in trust and estate litigation. Drawing from her experience as a litigator, Ariana highlights three major themes that often arise in family disputes over estates: undue influence, lack of capacity, and complex family dynamics. These challenges can lead to costly and emotional battles over a loved one's assets, making it crucial for individuals to understand the potential pitfalls. Tune in to hear valuable insights on how to navigate...
info_outline 162: Untangling Community vs. Separate Property Issues in Estate Planning (Part 2)Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe welcomes back accomplished estate planning attorney and litigation expert Ruth Kohler Burke for part two of their deep dive into community vs. separate property in estate planning. Together, they unravel the complexities of property characterization and highlight how proper planning can save you from expensive, stressful situations. From intestacy horror stories to blended family challenges, Ruth shares real-world examples and valuable insights gained from her 25+ years of experience, including representing Fortune 500 companies....
info_outline 161: What’s Yours, Mine, and Ours? Untangling Community vs. Separate Property in Estate PlanningAbsolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe is joined by the accomplished Ruth Koller Burke, Partner at Koller Herlihy LLP, whose 25+ years of experience span estate planning, trust administration, and probate litigation. Ruth’s dual expertise as both an estate planner and litigator—gained through years of representing Fortune 500 companies and managing high-stakes family dynamics—brings an invaluable perspective to this discussion. Together, Kirsten and Ruth dive deep into the complexities of community and separate property in estate planning. From clarifying...
info_outline 160: Celebrity Probate Case Files: O.J. SimpsonAbsolute Trust Talk
In this special Absolute Trust Talk episode, Kirsten Howe and associate attorney Jessica Colbert step into the captivating world of celebrity estates, taking a closer look at the probate of O.J. Simpson. Unlike traditional probates, where assets are distributed to heirs, O.J.'s estate paints a very different picture—one dominated by overwhelming debts, including a $117 million judgment. From the auctioning of memorabilia to an intriguing home equity dispute, this episode uncovers the complexities faced by executors in balancing creditors' claims and legal obligations. Whether you're a...
info_outline 159: Trustees' Checklist: Essential Notices You Can't Afford to MissAbsolute Trust Talk
Trustees, are you confident you’ve completed all your legal responsibilities? This final, crucial question is one every trustee should ask—but the answer is rarely simple. In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe and associate attorney Jessica Colbert delve into the often-overlooked legal notices trustees are required to send before making final distributions. They discuss the critical 120-day notice to trust beneficiaries and heirs, informing them of their rights to contest the trust. They also cover essential notifications to the Department of Health Care Services and...
info_outline 158: Avoiding Trustee Liability: Critical Steps Before Distributing AssetsAbsolute Trust Talk
Being named a trustee is a significant responsibility that demands careful attention, time, and effort—and missing critical steps can lead to complex legal consequences. In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe and associate attorney Jessica Colbert delve into real-life cases where trustees overlooked essential duties. They discuss three crucial questions every trustee must ask before making final distributions: 1. Have I done everything necessary concerning income taxes? 2. Is there a supplemental property tax...
info_outlineIn this episode of “Absolute Trust Talk,” Kirsten talks to Maureen Richardson, Certified Financial Planner and sole practitioner at Richardson Elite Financial Strategies. Richardson is also Amazon bestselling author of “‘Til Money Do Us Part: Financial Planning for Couples.”
The topic of conversation is, of course, financial planning, but not just any financial planning, the focus here is on couples. Maureen highlights how money is not necessarily the root of the problem and addresses the missed or overwhelming signs that a partner ignores and the reluctance that couples have to sitting down and laying ALL their cards out on the table.
Maureen shares how her book was born out of the real-life personal experience of being married to a financially irresponsible spouse, and even though she was financially savvy as a person in finance, it destroyed her marriage and her life. Richardson shares how to get the ball rolling when it comes to planning and also weighs in on what to do if you're already married and in a financial bind.
Big Three From Episode # 01:
- It’s not about the MONEY itself
- Leave no skeletons in the closet, talk about EVERYTHING in your financial history
- Get organized, make a plan
Time stamped show notes:
3:32 – It’s not about the money it’s about the values – Money is the symptom
4:35 – Who cares if you’re in finance! What’s going on at home?
6:20 – Maureen talks about the why behind her book, “Till Money Do Us Part”
8:45 – The topics that couples overlook when they are heading to the alter
9:32 – The top two things couples should disclose during the financial discussion
11:45 – Did you know poor credit = this?
13:10 – Now that everything’s out on the table, what do we do next?
15:37 – How are you protected? Maureen had three people discover this about not having the proper insurance when needed.
16:45 – Do this now!
17:25 – What if you’re already married and in trouble?
18:22 – The number one thing you need to track to get out of trouble.
Episode # 01 Freebie:
When you think about planning for marriage what comes to mind? Planning a big wedding, going on your honeymoon, finding a place to live, building a family… the list goes on. But, when it comes down to it, finances are behind it all, right? There’s no magic fairy dust, no magic eraser, your financial history follows you right to the altar. Did you sit down with your partner and hash out the details? Did you reveal debt, your taxes, your insurance even? If you don’t talk about it before you tie the knot, when will you? When you’re in line to see the divorce lawyer? In “ ’Til Money Do Us Part” Maureen Richardson breaks it all down and walks you through a productive and healthy discussion of money. Money is difficult to talk about, which is the reason why money is the leading cause of marital problems and divorce. People seem to think that by ignoring money, it will somehow work itself out. It doesn’t. You don’t need to be a financial genius. You don’t need to have a ton of money. You just need to be smart, know the warning signs and address them before it’s too late. “’Till Money Do Us Part” is simple, relevant and straight to the point, and we’ve got a special excerpt just for you. Click here to download your free chapter and if that leaves you wanting MORE get this bestseller on Amazon now! https://www.amazon.com/dp/162865032X/ref=cm_sw_su_dp
Resources/Tools/Links mentioned in this episode:
'Til Money Do Us Part: Financial Planning for Couples
Visit Maureen’s Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/TilMoneyDoUsPart/ to keep up with the latest resources and articles all about managing finances in a relationship.
Use Quicken to track every single expense for your spending plan!