The Plain English Legal Podcast

I’m Meeting With an Estate Attorney… What Should I Know?

You get what you pay for, especially when it comes to free legal services. In this reaction to a Reddit thread, Jeff reviews options and opinions from attorneys when someone asks about what they should know before they meet with a “network attorney” paid for by his employer who is supposedly charging pennies on the dollar for a revocable trust plan. Warnings galore in this one, but also some solid advice on what to think about and where to find answers. #reddit #estateplanning #trusts #revocabletrusts

The Probate Court Process

The first chapter of my book Estate Planning Basics giving an overview of the probate court process. The full version is available for purchase at www.EstatePlanningBasicsAudiobook.com.

My Parents are Doing an Estate Plan… What Should I Know?

In this reaction and commentary to a Reddit thread on estate planning, there’s a lot going on with lots of potential techniques that a son should be aware of when being asked to be involved when discussing things with the parents’ attorney. With the scenario he set up, there are A LOT of things he might want to read up on.

Special Needs Planning Myths

Special Needs Myths In this outtake from The Advanced Institute, a professional conference for estate planners, Jeff reviews the prevalent myths in special needs estate planning that need to be overcome when discussing planning with clients.

The Revenue Ruling Nothing Burger

It seems that even professional journals, newspapers, and magazines are no longer immune to clickbait, and it is confusing a lot of clients and their professional advisors. In this installment, Jeffrey G. Marsocci reviews how the IRS’s Revenue Ruling 2023-2 says absolutely nothing that hasn’t already been true for decades, and how one simple line of thinking could have prevented all of the unnecessary questions and panic.

For the video version, check it out on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/uOyVHmVS6NU

Introduction to The Divorce Firewall Strategy

Here is a quick introduction to The Divorce Firewall Strategy that Jeff gave at a national estate planning conference. Check out the book he referenced at www.DivorceFirewall.com

Planning for Huntington's Disease

An interview of The Plain English Attorney by Erika and Lauren from HD Reach about planning ahead for Huntington's.

Five Ways to NOT Leave an Inheritance

Having a solid estate plan often means having a revocable living trust that can distribute assets to your beneficiaries without probate. But how should those assets be distributed out of the trust? At age 18? With a mandate to pay for all education expenses? Through a stipend to a guardian? In this podcast, Jeff reviews five ways of distributing inheritances to avoid, and why other methods make more sense. Check out the free resources at www.LivingTrustLawFirm.com/downloads #estateplanning #revocabletrust #livingtrust #revocablelivingtrust

Revocable vs Irrevocable Trusts

I frequently get questions about the difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts. The truth is there are many different kinds of trusts, both revocable and irrevocable, but in this podcast I cover the different purposes, uses, and tax implications between 1) revocable living trusts, 2) irrevocable property trusts, and 3) irrevocable family trusts. Each of these trusts can be valuable part of an overall plan, but in the end they are just tools.... and you want the right tool for the right job.

The Joint Property Tax Trap

Putting your kids’ names on the deed to your house to avoid probate can lead to HUGE taxes down the road. In this podcast, Jeff reviews the downsides of the frequently used joint property “duct tape” solution, and why a revocable living trust can avoid probate AND these unnecessary taxes. Check out the free downloads at the law firm’s website at http://www.livingtrustlawfirm.com/downloads #jointproperty #estateplanning #revocabletrust #livingtrust #revocablelivingtrust