168: Understanding Probate Part 2: What Exactly Is a Will?
Release Date: 02/06/2025
182: Beyond Borders: International Estate Planning Essentials for Families (Part 2)
Absolute Trust Talk
In this second installment of Absolute Trust Talk's international estate planning series, host Kirsten Howe welcomes back estate planning specialist Janet Brewer to explore advanced strategies for families with cross-border connections. Building on their previous discussion of guardianship challenges, this episode focuses on critical tax considerations and financial hurdles faced by international families. Janet, a certified specialist with over 30 years of experience serving Silicon Valley clients, explains the unique tax opportunities available to visa holders with stock options and RSUs,...
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181: Beyond Borders: International Estate Planning Essentials for Families
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe welcomes estate planning specialist Janet Brewer to explore the unique challenges faced by immigrants and international families when planning for their future. Janet, with over 30 years of experience serving clients throughout Silicon Valley, brings her vast knowledge to address the specific concerns of non-resident aliens, visa holders, green card holders, and other international families with U.S.-based assets. As a member of the invitation-only Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Janet regularly prepares estate plans...
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180: Divorce in Progress: Safeguarding Your Estate Plan Before It's Final (Part 2)
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe and associate attorney Jessica Colbert continue their discussion on estate planning during divorce proceedings with practical solutions. Following their previous episode on the potential problems that can arise if someone becomes incapacitated or dies during divorce, they now focus on preventative measures. The attorneys explain how to ensure your soon-to-be ex-spouse doesn't maintain control over your healthcare decisions or inherit your assets contrary to your wishes. They discuss the creation of new healthcare directives, powers of...
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179: Divorce in Progress: Safeguarding Your Estate Plan Before It's Final
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe and associate attorney Jessica Colbert discuss critical estate planning considerations during divorce proceedings. They explore what happens if someone becomes incapacitated or dies while their divorce is still pending, revealing potentially unwelcome consequences if proper planning isn't in place. The discussion highlights how existing estate plans typically name a spouse as the primary decision-maker and beneficiary—a designation most divorcing individuals would want to change immediately. Without written estate plans, the...
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178: 3 Critical Estate Planning Lessons from Richard Simmons' Legacy Battles
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe examines the estate complications following Richard Simmons' death in July 2023. She details the ongoing legal dispute between Simmons' brother Leonard (named trustee) and Teresa, his housekeeper of 30 years who briefly served as co-trustee before a contested resignation. The conflict centers around approximately $1 million in personal property—primarily jewelry—that Teresa allegedly took when evicted from Simmons' home. While Teresa claims Simmons gifted her the jewelry in 2014, Leonard argues documentation proves otherwise....
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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_outlineIn 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.
Time-stamped Show Notes:
0:00 Introduction
1:24 Jessica defines a will as a written, hand-signed document created by the testator.
2:16 Next, Kirsten and Jessica discuss how a testator who cannot physically sign may use a mark or direct someone else to sign on their behalf.
2:36 Did you know just how important witnesses are in validating a will? Also, in California, an ink signature is still required.
3:14 Finally, Kirsten and Jessica explain holographic wills (fully handwritten) versus standard wills (requiring witnesses).