201: Estate Planning Misses: What Happens When Your Custodial or 529 Account Has No Successor
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, managing attorney Kirsten Howe continues her estate planning misses mini-series by tackling custodial accounts and 529 education plans. While these accounts are incredibly popular for saving for children, most people don't realize a critical legal distinction: you don't actually own them. This misconception leads to a costly problem when account owners die without proper succession planning. Kirsten shares real cases from her practice where families ended up in probate court—spending thousands of dollars in legal fees just to access money intended for...
info_outline
200: Why Your Health Savings Account Needs a Beneficiary
Absolute Trust Talk
We've reached a huge milestone here at Absolute Trust Counsel—drum roll, please—the launch of our 200th Absolute Trust Talk episode! What started as an idea while driving down the road after a guest appearance on a financial advisor's radio show has become a trusted resource for thousands of listeners over the years. Kirsten's dream was always to have a platform where she could share the expertise of smart professionals she knows—financial planners, accountants, insurance experts, and fellow attorneys—with anyone who could benefit from their knowledge, and to explore the myths,...
info_outline
199: Your Power of Attorney Is Valid—So Why Won't Anyone Accept It?
Absolute Trust Talk
A new client recently asked Kirsten a question that resonated: "What can we do so we don't face the same pushback I did when my mom's bank wouldn't accept her power of attorney?" It's a frustration many families face—you have all the right documents, but when it's time to use them, banks and institutions push back. In this quick-tips episode, Kirsten Howe explains why powers of attorney are the most problematic basic estate planning document—not because they're poorly drafted, but because they require acceptance from a third party who doesn't know you to trust that your agent is...
info_outline
198: California's Medi-Cal Asset Limit Returns in 2026—Are You Prepared?
Absolute Trust Talk
Federal Medicaid cuts have dominated the news cycle, but there's a California-specific change that's barely getting attention—and it could blindside thousands of current Medi-Cal recipients. Starting again in 2026, the state is reinstating asset limits for Medi-Cal long-term care coverage, a requirement that was eliminated just two years ago. In this episode, estate planning attorney Kirsten Howe unpacks what this means if you or someone you love relies on elderly or disabled Medi-Cal benefits. She explains the $130,000 asset threshold, which assets remain exempt, and why your 2026 annual...
info_outline
197: O.J. Simpson's $58 Million Problem: What His Probate Teaches Us
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten Howe returns with the latest development in the ongoing O.J. Simpson probate saga. Over 18 months after his April 2024 death, headlines announced that the executor of O.J.'s estate had "agreed to pay" the Goldman family close to $58 million—but what does that actually mean? Kirsten breaks down the reality behind the sensational headlines, explaining what happens when an executor accepts a creditor's claim versus actually paying it. With O.J.'s estate valued at just $1-2 million against a $58 million accepted claim, she reveals who really gets...
info_outline
196: Bitcoin Demystified (Part 3): Currency, Sustainability, and Social Impact
Absolute Trust Talk
Can Bitcoin actually function as real money—and is it destroying the planet? In Part 3 of our cryptocurrency series, host Kirsten Howe continues her conversation with Jirayr Kembikian, CFP® and Managing Director of Citrine Capital, to answer these critical questions. Jirayr systematically breaks down the seven properties that define ideal currency—durability, divisibility, portability, verifiability, scarcity, established history, and ease of use—then compares Bitcoin against both the U.S. dollar and gold. Bitcoin outperforms the dollar on almost every measure and beats gold in critical...
info_outline
195: Bitcoin Demystified (Part 2): The 3 Ways to Own Bitcoin
Absolute Trust Talk
Ready to own Bitcoin but not sure where to start? In Part 2 of our cryptocurrency series, host Kirsten Howe continues her conversation with Jirayr Kembikian, CFP® and Managing Director of Citrine Capital, to break down the three distinct ways to acquire and hold Bitcoin—each with its own unique trade-offs. Jirayr walks through everything from Bitcoin ETFs (the easiest and most familiar option) to exchange custody and self-custody, explaining why he believes "the only wrong answer for Bitcoin allocation is zero." He reveals the critical phrase Bitcoin purists use—"not your keys, not...
info_outline
194: Bitcoin Demystified (Part 1): Why 1 in 7 Americans Own Bitcoin
Absolute Trust Talk
Did you know that 1 in 7 Americans now own Bitcoin? If you've been curious about cryptocurrency but don't know where to start, this episode is for you. Host Kirsten Howe sits down with Jirayr Kembikian, CFP® and Managing Director of Citrine Capital, to demystify Bitcoin and explain why it's fundamentally different from every other cryptocurrency on the market. In this conversation, Jirayr introduces his "three buckets" framework for understanding the crypto landscape and explains how Bitcoin's fixed 21 million supply cap, national debt concerns, and unlimited money printing are...
info_outline
193: URGENT: California Medi-Cal Asset Limits Return in 2026 - How to Prepare NOW
Absolute Trust Talk
California is quietly bringing back asset limits for Medi-Cal long-term care coverage in 2026, and current recipients could be in for a devastating surprise. Here's what's happening: California eliminated asset limits for elderly and disabled Medi-Cal recipients in 2024, but those limits are returning in 2026. If you currently receive long-term care Medi-Cal benefits, when you submit your annual eligibility report next year, you could lose your coverage if your assets exceed the new limits. In this critical episode, estate planning attorney Kirsten Howe explains the $130,000...
info_outline
192: Your Healthcare Voice (Part 3): Understanding Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, and End-of-Life Options
Absolute Trust Talk
In the final episode of our comprehensive healthcare planning series, Kirsten and Ariana tackle one of the most misunderstood areas of healthcare planning: life-ending decisions. This episode cuts through the confusion to deliver clear, factual information about California's End of Life Option Act, the strict requirements for assisted suicide, how passive and active euthanasia differ, and why many people don't actually qualify for the options they think exist. You'll also learn how California compares to other states and what alternatives exist internationally. Whether you're planning...
info_outlineAs family members age, we often find other members becoming involved in caregiving and decision-making. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to conflict as communication and relationships deteriorate in disagreement over an issue that impacts the older adult or the family as a whole. In these cases, it can be helpful to have a qualified third party ask the right questions and help everyone find common ground - a professional we like to call an eldercare mediator.
In a new episode of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten sits down with Katharina Dress, MA. A mediator and facilitator who specializes in helping families understand each other’s viewpoints, reach an agreement, and ultimately make the best decisions about care and planning for aging loved ones and their families. Listen in to learn more about the issues Katharina sees among family members, what causes tension, and some of the approaches she uses to resolve conflict successfully.
Big Three from Episode #059:
- Elder mediation can help families reach agreements about legal, financial, and care planning for their aging loved ones and their estate.
- Even if you think a conflicting party will not agree to mediation, it’s worth getting in touch with a mediator to find ways to engage the parties in communication.
- The ultimate goal is to make decisions that are in the best interest of the elder while considering the needs of everyone involved.
Time-stamped Show Notes:
3:57 – What does an elder mediator do?
4:47 – These are some of the most common issues that families struggle with.
5:35 – Why is it important for the Powers of Attorney to work together?
6:49 – Katharina talks more about how she gets started with a family in conflict.
7:43 – Katharina and Kirsten discuss, generally, what family members are involved in mediation.
9:12 – Every case is different, but this is typically how long an elder mediation case can take.
13:49 – Katharina discusses some of the different training that she offers.
15:49 – This is the type of training needed to become an elder mediator.
17:58 – Are the mediations binding?
19:27 – Should family members get in touch even if they think other members won’t agree to mediation?
21:28 – Katharina shares an example of a successful mediation case.
Get in touch with Katharina:
Phone: (510) 356-7830
Email: katharina@aginginharmony.com
[Ad] Estate planning is vital to ensure that you and your family are protected and prepared throughout your later years of life and beyond. Please don’t wait until it’s too late. Schedule a free discovery call today, and we’ll review your case to make sure all your needs are met.
Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey
If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll:
- Learn about your unique situation and goals
- Answer questions about our services
- Determine if we're the right fit to work together
Visit https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/scheduling/ or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today.
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a couple second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits: The Absolute Trust Talk podcast is brought to you with the help of Q2Mark, led by Chief Marketing Officer Susie Hays. Since 2016, Q2Mark has partnered with Absolute Trust Counsel on all marketing communications—from brand development and website design to this podcast series with over 192 episodes, social media management, video production, and more. If you're business owner looking for comprehensive marketing support, visit Q2Mark.com.