116: What are the Life Stages of a Special Needs Person?
Release Date: 10/01/2023
132: Trust Funding in a Digital World: Safeguarding Virtual Wealth
Absolute Trust Talk
One area of estate planning that is largely overlooked is funding the trust. The first step is developing the trust. The second step is ensuring that all the assets you want included are properly transferred over as needed. This can be especially difficult in today’s digital-driven world because there are more and more places where funds can be stored away. Thanks to the advent of the internet and digital banking, funds are no longer just kept in savings accounts and piggy banks. Instead, they are spread across various apps, like Venmo and PayPal, stored in digital savings, like Capital One...
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131: Drafting a Comprehensive Power of Attorney: What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You
Absolute Trust Talk
Typically, when we think of estate planning, we only consider planning for after death. But what happens if you become incapacitated? That’s where a Power of Attorney enters the picture. Incapacity planning is a significant component that is just as important, if not more important, than most other aspects of estate planning. Think about it. If you’re in the hospital, you don’t want to wait for your loved ones to go to court to access your funds to pay for care. You want care right away! So, in this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, we’re addressing all the major ups and downs we’ve...
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130: Exploring the OJ Simpson Estate: Probate and Creditor Claims
Absolute Trust Talk
You know of the infamous murder trial involving OJ Simpson and the Goldman and Brown families that took place in the 90s. And in case you happened to miss the news, Simpson passed away recently, stirring up the family conflicts all over again. Here at Absolute Trust Talk, we have an affinity for celebrity estate drama, mainly because of the important estate planning lessons we can take away. While the exact details of OJ's estate structure remain unknown, the estate will probably undergo probate due to the presence of creditors. Listen in as we cover all the details we know so far and share...
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129: Estate Planning Strategies to Reduce Family Conflict After Death
Absolute Trust Talk
Family conflict after a loved one has passed is very common, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be avoided. In our years of experience in estate planning, we’ve seen many different scenarios play out and have a thorough understanding of the nuances that tend to cause these conflicts. The number one reason for disputes over a trust lies in the feeling that it is not fairly divided. While Mom and Dad or Aunt Sally can set up their estate however they wish, often, a simple conversation with family can go a long way to clarify why certain decisions were made. In this episode of Absolute Trust...
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128: Revocable or Irrevocable Trust: Which is Right for Me?
Absolute Trust Talk
When we first begin working with a client who is setting up their estate plan and, more specifically, building a trust, the number one question we always get is whether they need a revocable or an irrevocable trust. For us, this is always an interesting and fun conversation because as soon as the client hears the difference, they immediately know which tool they need. Not to give it all away, but the standard option is the revocable trust; however, there are certain instances in which the irrevocable trust is needed—there is no one-size-fits-all approach to estate planning. So, which...
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127: Understanding Multigenerational Estate Planning Part 2
Absolute Trust Talk
Welcome back! In our last episode of Absolute Trust Talk, we were joined by expert psychotherapist and certified coach Tess Brigham, MFT, BCC, to discuss the differences between generations and, more specifically, examine the unique dynamics between Baby Boomer parents and Millennial children. In this episode, we continue our conversation with Tess, focusing on the interactions between Gen X parents and Gen Z children. These two generations are very interesting as Gen Xers were heavily influenced by events like the Persian Gulf War, the women’s movement, and high divorce rates. As Tess...
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126: Understanding Multigenerational Estate Planning Part 1
Absolute Trust Talk
The battle between the generations is real and seems to be everywhere. Yes, generational divides even play a role in estate planning. In fact, estate plans nowadays are built around more diverse and multigenerational families than ever before. In this new episode of Absolute Trust Talk, we are joined by psychotherapist and certified coach Tess Brigham, MFT, BCC. Tess specializes in helping young adults discover their unique life path to enter the world and make an impact. Join us as we discuss how the generations are defined, what makes each one unique, and how these factors influence estate...
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125: Cher Files for Conservatorship of Son Elijah Blue Allman Over Alleged Substance Abuse
Absolute Trust Talk
Recently, the entertainment world has been abuzz with numerous high-profile conservatorship battles, and the latest to emerge involves iconic singer Cher. She has initiated a conservatorship petition concerning her son, Elijah Blue Allman, aiming to oversee the financial benefits he inherits from his father, the late Greg Allman's trust. Legal filings state the urgent need for a conservator to safeguard Elijah's estate against potential damages or losses, citing his inability to manage his finances due to significant mental health and substance abuse challenges. Tune into a new episode of...
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124: Beach Boys Founder Brian Wilson Suffering from Dementia as Reps Seek Conservatorship
Absolute Trust Talk
When you think of the Beach Boys, what comes to mind? We’re betting it’s not a complicated conservatorship case. Unfortunately, that’s what’s happening with the Beach Boys Founder, Brian Wilson. Mr. Wilson’s long-time wife had been his healthcare directive, but with her recent passing, it was discovered that no one was ever named as a backup. Now, the question is not only who will pick up her role as Mr. Wilson’s healthcare directive, but how. With Brian Wilson being considered unable to make these decisions for himself due to dementia, the solution is not a simple one. Tune in to...
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122: The Costly Truth of Ignoring Estate Planning Like Jay Leno
Absolute Trust Talk
You may have heard the recent news that Jay Leno filed a conservatorship over his wife, Mavis Leno’s estate. The couple does not have an estate plan, and his goal is to gain special permission from the court to set up a plan for both of them. As Kirsten and Madison point out, the main issue is not what happens if Mavis dies but instead if Jay were to die first. Given that Mavis is already incapacitated, who will manage their assets and decision-making? We hope you will join us for this discussion that underscores just how important it is to have an estate plan in place to avoid the costly...
info_outlineYou may have heard the sentiment that parenting is one of the most challenging yet most rewarding jobs there is. That is even more true when raising a child with special needs because they often come with unique challenges. It’s easy to quickly become overwhelmed mentally, emotionally, and even financially and physically at times. Your sense of normalcy may seem different from others around you, leading you to feel isolated and alone, unsure of what to do or where to turn.
To help provide some answers, we sat down with Kerrie Lloyd, Vice President at Index Fund Advisors, author of Planning the Future for A Special Needs Child, and founder of Integrative Solution Services LLC, where she provides consulting and collaborative tools to the special needs community. Kerrie is also a Doctor of Natural Health, NhD, and earned her certification in Pivotal Response Therapy for Autism through the Koegel Autism Center at UC Santa Barbara (now at Stanford University). She also earned her Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®)* designation in 2020 through The American College for Financial Services, a fully accredited institution by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education.
Despite all the accolades, Kerrie’s most important job is as Adam’s mom. Adam was diagnosed with Autism and Deafness early on, and through her experiences with him, she has learned what it takes to raise and care for a special needs child. Kerrie noticed that special needs children go through a series of life stages, each marked by major events, such as diagnosis, the beginning of school, and the transition to adulthood. Having this knowledge makes it easier to prepare for each stage, eliminating the fear of the unknown for parents. Now that Kerrie is in the later stages with Adam, she has compiled her experiences and resources to share this insight and knowledge with others.
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, we will discuss:
- The six stages of life for an individual with special needs.
- The key planning components and milestones that mark each of the stages.
- What the transitions from each phase look like.
- Important resources that are available and how to access them.
- The importance of obtaining legal help to ensure that parents understand their rights, know what they can ask for, and ensure that they aren’t missing any steps.
And much more.
It can be difficult to navigate life’s complexities with a special needs child, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Understanding these life stages can help you better understand your child, feel more prepared for each milestone, and even unlock enriching and fulfilling moments.