004: Hey, Life Transitions are Normal. Here’s How to Cope With Them.
Release Date: 04/19/2018
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....
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161: What’s Yours, Mine, and Ours? Untangling Community vs. Separate Property in Estate Planning
Absolute 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...
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160: Celebrity Probate Case Files: O.J. Simpson
Absolute 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...
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159: Trustees' Checklist: Essential Notices You Can't Afford to Miss
Absolute 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...
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158: Avoiding Trustee Liability: Critical Steps Before Distributing Assets
Absolute 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...
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157: Avoiding Probate Hassles: Understanding California's 2025 Law Change
Absolute Trust Talk
A significant shift in California probate law is on the horizon, promising to make estate transfers more accessible for many homeowners. In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe and associate attorney Jessica Colbert delve into a game-changing legislation effective April 1, 2025. This new law allows for a simplified transfer of primary residences valued up to $750,000 to heirs—without the need for probate or a formal estate plan. They discuss how this expansion of the small estate affidavit and petition procedures can ease the burden on families, making property...
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156: Probate Alternatives: Real Estate Affidavits and Succession Petitions Explained
Absolute Trust Talk
In the third episode of their probate alternatives series on Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe and associate attorney Jessica Colbert delve into two streamlined legal procedures that help families avoid the costly and time-consuming probate process when transferring small real estate estates in California. They explain an affidavit procedure for properties valued under $61,500 and a petition for determining succession to property for estates under $184,500. The discussion covers the requirements for each method, including waiting periods, the role of a probate referee, and when each...
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155: Spousal Property Petitions: An Easier Alternative to Probate
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten Howe and associate attorney Jessica Colbert delve into the spousal property petition, a vital tool that offers a faster and more cost-effective way for surviving spouses to claim assets from a deceased spouse's estate. They break down the legal nuances, sharing practical examples of how this process works and how it can sometimes be used even after both spouses have passed away. With real-world scenarios and expert advice, this episode sheds light on probate alternatives that can ease the estate administration process for families. Whether...
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154: Unlocking Assets Without Probate: The Benefits of Using a Small Estate Affidavit
Absolute Trust Talk
Navigating the probate process can feel overwhelming, so what if there was a way to avoid it entirely? In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, associate attorney Jessica Colbert and managing attorney Kirsten Howe introduce the small estate affidavit—an often overlooked yet highly effective tool for bypassing probate when certain conditions are met. Together, they break down what it takes to qualify for this process, explain how it works to transfer personal property without court involvement and point out some important details and potential challenges. Don’t miss this insightful...
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153: AB Trusts After 2013: What You Need to Do Now
Absolute Trust Talk
Welcome back to Absolute Trust Talk! In this exciting episode, associate attorney Jessica Colbert steps into the spotlight for the first time, accompanied by managing attorney Kirsten Howe. Together, they continue the series AB Trusts: Do You Have One? Do You Need One? This episode uncovers the surprising reason many couples have AB trusts without realizing it, and what steps you should take if you find yourself in this situation. You’ll also learn why it might be time to reconsider an AB trust, especially if you are the surviving spouse and want to make changes. Don’t miss out on this...
info_outlineIn this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten welcomes Certified Financial Transitionist® Gary Gardner into the studio. As part of the first graduating class of the Financial Transitionist Institute (a division of the Sudden Money Institute) Gary was drawn to the process that uses the “touchy, feely side of the brain,” as he likes to say – guiding clients through the transitions in life on a much higher emotional level.
Gary and Kirsten discuss the unique niche of the financial planning world that is financial transition. Gary highlights the importance of human relationship in this planning process and reveals that it is truly the why behind the what that drives people to cope and move through life transitions in various ways that he has observed over the years. Most importantly, Gary reveals that life transitions, whether the death of a loved one, retirement, a job change, etc., are NORMAL and it’s okay to ask for help to work through them on your own time and on your own terms.
Big Three From Episode # 004:
- Transition, life changes, it’s NORMAL
- Take a break, taking your time is OKAY
- You’re not alone
Time-stamped Show Notes
2:16 – Gary talks about how his approach to financial planning is different from the norm and his evolution into a Certified Financial Transitionist®
3:45 – Implementation in a person’s life much more relevant with this type of coaching
8:09 – Gary shares research into the life transitions a widow goes through with the death of a spouse
10:24 – The spectrum of handling a huge life stressor
14:00 – Gary shares how his specialized approach helps move these transitions along for clients
17:27 – Gary discusses what happens during the first meeting with clients
20:14 – Gary’s number one question he asks his clients –What’s on your mind?
24:11 – Kirsten discusses the estate planning side of the process when working with recently widowed, grieving clients
25:26 – Gary recommends this mindset when approaching transition
27:50 – Gary breaks down the meaning behind DFZ – his resource tool
40:00 – How do you think about your own preparations for death?
Episode # 004 Freebie:
“The next time you find yourself wading through the quick sand I hope you’ll pull up the Decision Free Zone.” – Gary Gardner(CeFT)
No matter which life transition you’re in: whether it be the grieving over the death of a loved one, retirement, significant job change or if you’re just at a point in life where you just don’t know what to do, stop. Take a minute, breath, and pull up this tool. Dump your brain into the Now, Soon, and Later – no matter how silly or minute that thing in your brain might be – and get yourself to a point where you say okay, I can move forward from here.
Resources/Tools/Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Dick Wagner: Financial Planning 3.0: Evolving Our Relationships with Money
David Allen – Getting Things Done
Sudden Money Institute – Susan Bradley