The Plain English Legal Podcast

How Estate Planners Become Rockstars

It's not as simple as passing the state bar. Unfortunately, many attorneys who focus in different areas of law just assume they can handle estate planning because they downloaded some templates. However, getting the right training and ongoing support is not hard if you know where to go.

In this latest podcast episode, Jeff discusses his long relationship with The Estate Planning Source and how conferences, webinars, and "mutual mentoring" can help not only attorneys but other professionals become proficient estate planners.

For the full YouTube video on this topic, please click here to watch.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel @theplainenglishattorney to watch the full videos of my podcast episodes!

#theplainenglishattorneypodcast #podcast #estateplanning

5 Toxic Lawyer Schemes: How Many Estate Planning Firms Put Business Ahead of Clients?

Estate Planning attorneys are essential guides in the legal complexities, however, in the business side, the pursuit of profit can overshadow clients' best interests.

In this latest podcast episode, Jeff discussed 5 common practices attorneys use to push estates into probate, potentially prioritizing future gains over immediate client needs.

For the full YouTube video on this topic, please click here to watch.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel @theplainenglishattorney to watch the full videos of my podcast episodes!

#theplainenglishattorneypodcast #podcast #estateplanning

The ABCs of Disinheriting Uncle Sam

Married couples have a massive opportunity to protect against unnecessary taxes and to keep Uncle Sam out of their estate by using a joint revocable living “ABC” trust. But how do these subtrusts work, and how do they eliminate, or at least delay, taxes? In this podcast, Jeff walks through the same Married ABC Trust that his own law office uses for his married clients, and how each of them works to both provide for a surviving spouse while saving on estate taxes for the next level beneficiaries.

For the full YouTube video on this topic, please click here to watch.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel @theplainenglishattorney to watch the full videos of my podcast episodes!

 #estateplanning #revocabletrust #livingtrust #revocablelivingtrust

5 Things in Every Good Power of Attorney

In this episode, we break down the essential elements of a Financial Power of Attorney. Not all POAs are created equal, and understanding these key provisions is crucial for securing your finances during challenging times.

For the full YouTube video on this topic, please click here to watch.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel @theplainenglishattorney to watch the full videos of my podcast episodes!

#theplainenglishattorneypodcast #podcast #estateplanning

Panic at the Probate Court! Part 1 of 3

PART 1 OF 3 Probate can be complicated, and the proof a court requires can be arduous for most non-lawyers. But how do assets end up in probate?

What happens to them when they do?

Does the Will cover everything?

Is the process always the same?

In this three-part series recorded at a national estate planning conference in September of 2024, Jeffrey G. Marsocci breaks down in plain English the general probate process with examples from North Carolina’s system. In the end, many people want to avoid the costly, time-consuming, and frustrating probate court process, but just in case assets do end up in probate, this series will help you understand the basics.

Check out the YouTube video version here.

#estateplanning #probate

Medicaid Planning 3 Steps Ahead

When it comes to Medicaid Planning for a family, many attorneys and planners look no further than the client needing care. This one-step thinking can often lead to the client’s original goal of protecting their home and life savings from the nursing home falling apart after they qualify for Medicaid.

In this quick session from a national estate planning conference, Jeffrey G. Marsocci, The Plain English Attorney®, compares and contrasts instances of poor and good planning, and how a team of professionals can save hundreds of thousands of dollars for not just the client, but their spouse and then down to the children when you think multiple steps ahead.

#medicaidplanning #medicaid #nursinghome #longtermcare

Check out the YouTube video version here.

Basics of Trust Funding--Part 2 of 2

One of the biggest problems in estate planning is client who want to avoid probate get a revocable living trust... and then fail to fund their trust the right way.

In this recorded session from a basic estate planning conference, Jeff reviews the different types of assets with other professionals and how to have the assets work in conjunction with a revocable living trust.

PART 2 of 2. #estateplanning #revocabletrust 

Check out the YouTube video version here.

Basics of Trust Funding--Part 1 of 2

What should go into a revocable living trust?

Do bank accounts?

IRAs and 401ks?

What about real estate?

In this recorded session from a basic estate planning conference, Jeff reviews the different types of assets with the attendees, different nuances, and even provides examples from his own practice. PART 1 of 2. #estateplanning #revocabletrust 

Check out the YouTube video version here.

Fund Your Will?

Does your will ACTUALLY control your estate?

The answer is not as simple as it may seem, and it matters whether or not the asset ends up in probate.

In this podcast episode, Jeff reviews how different assets need to be titled or beneficiaries changed in order to make sure your Last Will and Testament's terms, contingencies, and age limitations are carried out.

 #estateplanning #lastwillandtestament #probate 

For the YouTube video version, check it out here.

Just the FAQs

A review of basic estate planning terms and concepts, from definitions, different types of documents, and how things work with probate. (Sorry, this one is in an AI voice because we're working on some big things for this Fall!)

For more basic information, check out the free program at http://www.FreeTrustCourse.com