016: Behind the Scenes of Financial Planning for a Family With Special Needs
Release Date: 09/18/2018
177: Inside the Heated Padres Inheritance Feud: What It Teaches Us About Sound Estate Planning
Absolute Trust Talk
In this all-new episode of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten Howe and her associates, Jessica Colbert and Ariana Flynn, delve into the complex estate battle surrounding the late San Diego Padres owner, Peter Seidler. The MLB team finds itself at the center of a legal dispute as Seidler's wife, Sheel, contends with his brothers over control of the franchise. With allegations of breached trust, fraud, and self-dealing, the case highlights the intricacies of estate planning for high-net-worth individuals and the potential pitfalls of ambiguous or informal documentation. While largely speculation,...
info_outline
176: Behind the Headlines: Gene Hackman's Estate Plan and What We Can Learn
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten Howe, managing attorney at Absolute Trust Counsel, and associate attorney Jessica Colbert examine the estate of beloved actor Gene Hackman. They meticulously analyze the available court records from Santa Fe County, New Mexico, and contrast them with California's probate procedures. The attorneys skillfully debunk sensationalized headlines about Hackman's will, explaining the mechanics of pour-over wills and why media claims about his children being "cut out" are potentially misleading. While much of the discussion is speculation, they provide...
info_outline
175: The Valuation Puzzle: What Your Assets Are Really Worth: Part 2
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe continues her valuation discussion with expert Alex Spaete from Bridge Forensic CPAs, exploring the intricacies of asset valuation. The discussion focuses on how privately held assets are valued, particularly examining discount factors applied to LLC interests based on control limitations and marketability constraints. Alex explains how family dynamics influence valuations, especially when implicit control exists despite limited ownership percentages. The conversation covers valuation approaches for unusual assets like promissory...
info_outline
174: Part 1: The Valuation Puzzle: What Your Assets Are Really Worth
Absolute Trust Talk
In this insightful episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe welcomes Alex Spaete, a valuation expert and partner with Bridge Forensic CPAs. In part one of their discussion, Kirsten and Alex explore the complex world of asset valuation, particularly focusing on closely held businesses and real estate holding partnerships. Alex explains why valuing private entities requires specialized expertise beyond what's needed for bank accounts or publicly traded securities. The discussion clarifies the critical distinction between owning a percentage of a business entity versus owning the...
info_outline
173: Stop Family Feuds: Expert Tips for Probate Real Estate Sales
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe welcomes real estate expert Nathan Jines from Jines Real Estate Group, Keller Williams, to discuss the complexities of selling real estate in a probate or trust administration. When a homeowner passes away, managing the sale of their property presents unique challenges, from family dynamics to market positioning. Nathan shares firsthand insights on navigating these transactions while ensuring a smooth process for grieving heirs. Key takeaways include the importance of professional guidance, how family relationships impact...
info_outline
171: IRS Audits Uncovered: What Triggers Them and How to Prepare
Absolute Trust Talk
Few things are as nerve-wracking as receiving an IRS audit notice—but how do audits really work, and what can you do to protect yourself? In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten Howe sits down with Anthony Kim, a former IRS Chief Counsel Attorney with 26+ years of experience, to reveal the truth behind IRS audits. Tony, who has litigated complex tax cases for the U.S. Treasury Department and represented Fortune 500 companies and high-net-worth individuals at Ernst & Young, shares insider knowledge on what triggers audits, the IRS selection process, and how to avoid common red...
info_outline
172: IRS Audits Uncovered Part 2: Protests and Appeals Explained
Absolute Trust Talk
Intro Summary] In this follow-up episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe welcomes back tax law expert Tony Kim to continue their deep dive into IRS audits and appeals. With 26 years of experience working for the IRS, Tony provides invaluable insights into what happens after an audit determination is made. He explains the role of a protest letter, how appeals officers function as mediators, and why IRS litigation can be risky for taxpayers. Throughout the episode, Tony emphasizes the importance of organization, professionalism, and strategic decision-making when dealing with the...
info_outline
170: How to Secure Your Estate: Insights from O.J. Simpson’s Latest Legal Drama:
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, hosts Kirsten Howe and Jessica Colbert delve into the latest twist in O.J. Simpson’s long-running estate saga. The estate’s executor has taken an unexpected step by filing a lawsuit against one of Simpson’s heirs, claiming that a key Las Vegas property was secretly transferred out of the estate’s control. As they speculate on the case, the hosts examine the potential motives behind this action—such as the strategic use of an LLC and homestead exemptions—and the significant implications for addressing Simpson’s mounting debts, including...
info_outline
169: Understanding Probate Part 3: How to Get Your Will Admitted to Probate
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe and associate attorney Jessica Colbert explore the critical steps in getting a will admitted to probate. They explain why lodging an original, properly executed will with the county superior court is essential, and how witness testimony can authenticate the document. They also examine the pitfalls of relying on a photocopy—or finding out too late that the original has been lost or destroyed. Finally, they underscore the importance of keeping your estate documents organized to avoid future probate headaches. If you’re preparing...
info_outline
168: Understanding Probate Part 2: What Exactly Is a Will?
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe and associate attorney Jessica Colbert continue their deep dive into probate fundamentals by focusing on wills. They clarify what makes a will legally valid, why a handwritten (or “wet ink”) signature is still required, and how witnesses play a key role in safeguarding the document’s authenticity. They also explore the differences between a holographic will and the more formal, witnessed variety. This insightful conversation offers a clearer view of one of the most essential components of the probate process. ...
info_outlineIn episode 16 of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten welcomes Morgan Stanley Senior Portfolio Manager Robert McLalan to the show. Bob has over 35 years of experience in the securities industry and has committed a large part of his practice to helping special needs families. His passion for special needs comes from his own personal experiences as a conservator for his sister, Toni, who was born with Down syndrome.
Throughout the show, Bob shares numerous stories about the types of decisions he had to make in regard to his sister’s care and how he had to take charge, interpret her needs, listen to the specialists and get outside opinions to make the best decisions for her. Later, Bob weighs in on how critical financial planning is for a family and some of the challenges that might arise when managing investments for families with a special needs person.
Big Three From Episode #016:
- Be cautious
- Be adversarial, when necessary
- Be present
Time-stamped Show Notes:
2:00 – Robert shares the importance of his background and how it shaped the focus of his practice
15:14 – Robert discusses with Kirsten his key advice – the three B’s
16:30 – Kirsten and Robert highlight why the sibling may not be the best person to take care of a special needs sibling
17:07 – Robert shares how vital an attorney is in making decisions for a special needs child and the family
18:37 – Here’s how to incorporate a sibling into another special needs sibling’s future and life
19:40 – Robert talks about the team who is involved in “protecting” the special needs person
21:10 – Robert shares, from his experience, what types of tough decisions you have to make for a special needs person when you’re in charge
31:09 – Kirsten and Robert discuss how critical financial planning is to a family with special needs
33:10 – Robert shares the steps he takes to get a special needs family financially set up
39:43 – Robert discusses challenges that come up when managing investments for special needs families
Episode #016 Freebie: Tool – Planning for Children With Special Needs
Planning for a special needs child is a big job, and those faced with the task often face lots of challenges. For families struggling with such issues, a special needs trust could be the right answer. Absolute Trust Talk guest Robert McLalan is sharing with listeners a thorough resource tool called Planning for Children With Special Needs. This document offers the essential steps, processes, and options when it comes to preparing and executing a special needs trust. To find out if a special needs trust is right for your family, click here to access Planning for Children With Special Needs.
Resources/Tools/Links Mentioned In This Episode: