Claim OwnershipThe Practical Planner
Subscribed: 29Played: 295
Subscribe
Description
Let's reimagine estate planning together.
We'll explore ways for advisors to better serve existing clients and grow your business. Unlike other shows that skim the surface of easily Googled topics, hosts Thomas Kopelman and Anne Rhodes provide takeaways that advisors can use to meet your clients wherever they are in the estate planning process.
What’s the difference between a will and a trust? What is an estate plan, and why do you need one? What are the biggest estate planning mistakes? The Practical Planner details everything advisors need for effective estate planning. We cover everything from the basics (defining terms like beneficiary, trustee, and family trust, breaking down estate tax 101) to the more complex (such as compliance for advisors, best practices with crypto, and charitable strategies).
The Practical Planner is a production of wealth.com. Wealth.com is the #1 Estate Planning Solution built for advisors. Our mission is to modernize estate planning through innovative technology.
Thomas Kopelman is the Head of Community at wealth.com, and was named as a Top 100 Advisor by Investopedia in 2022 and 2023, 2023 Young Advisor to Watch, and Top 23 Millennial Financial Advisor by Business Insider.
Anne Rhodes is the Chief Legal Officer at wealth.com. Prior to her current role, she was an estate planning attorney first at McDermott Will & Emery (New York), then at Perkins Coie (San Francisco).
55 Episodes
Reverse
Join Thomas Kopelman and Anne Rhodes as they welcome Christopher Holtby to the Practical Planner Podcast. This episode delves into the world of trustees, exploring the differences between corporate and individual trustees and their impact on financial planning. Christopher shares his expertise on the strategic importance of trustees in managing wealth, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of trust dynamics. Whether you're an advisor or a beneficiary, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the complexities of trust management.
In this episode of the Practical Planner Podcast, hosts Thomas Kopelman and David Haughton dive into the critical topic of estate planning. They discuss common mistakes people make, such as not having an estate plan, failing to update it after life changes, and the pitfalls of do-it-yourself planning. With personal anecdotes and professional insights, they emphasize the importance of proper planning to avoid costly errors and ensure your assets are protected. Tune in to learn how to safeguard your legacy and make informed decisions for your future.
In this episode of the Practical Planner podcast, hosts Thomas Kopelman and David Haughton delve into the intricacies of the "One Big Beautiful Bill," exploring its unexpected twists and implications for estate planning, income tax brackets, and more. They discuss key changes, such as the increase in the estate tax exemption and the extension of income tax brackets, while offering insights into strategic planning opportunities for high-net-worth individuals. Tune in to understand how these developments could impact your financial strategies and what steps you can take to stay ahead. Don't miss this informative discussion that could shape your financial future!
Join hosts Thomas Kopelman and David Haughton as they explore essential end-of-year tax planning strategies for financial advisors. This episode provides a comprehensive checklist, covering everything from maximizing deductions and charitable giving to Roth conversions and tax loss harvesting. Equip yourself with practical tips and insights to guide your clients through the tax season effectively. Enhance your advisory services with strategies that can save your clients money and improve their financial outcomes. Happy tax planning!
In this episode of the Practical Planner podcast, hosts Thomas Kopelman, Dave Haughton, and Anne Rhodes, delve into the crucial role advisors play in estate planning. They explore the three phases of advisor involvement: nudging clients to initiate their estate plans, assisting with implementation, and ensuring plans remain up-to-date. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, they highlight the importance of advisors in guiding clients through life events and maintaining effective estate plans. Tune in to learn how advisors can go beyond asset management to truly impact their clients' lives.
In Episode 48, we provide financial advisors and planners with essential insights into the pivotal role of trust location in estate planning. Explore how selecting the right state can enhance tax efficiency and asset protection for your clients. Gain expert knowledge and actionable strategies to guide your clients in making informed decisions that align with their financial goals. Join us for a deep dive into optimizing trust locations to elevate your estate planning services.
In this episode of the Practical Planner Podcast, hosts Thomas Kopelman and David Haughton tackle the top questions advisors frequently receive from clients about estate planning. They delve into the complexities beyond the federal level, exploring state-specific issues such as probate, homestead laws, and the nuances of Medicaid and Medicare. With insights into how different states handle estate and inheritance taxes, this episode is essential for anyone looking to optimize their estate planning strategy. Tune in to learn how to navigate these critical topics with your clients, and ensure their (and your) assets are protected for future generations.
In this insightful episode, we delve into the intricate world of estate planning with Cody Garrett, CFP, from Measure Twice Planners. Discover the pivotal role of an executor and the challenges they face in managing and distributing assets. Cody shares expert advice on navigating responsibilities, ensuring legal compliance, and maintaining family harmony during the process. Whether you're an appointed executor or simply curious about estate planning, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips to guide you through the complexities of this essential role.
In this episode of the Practical Planner podcast, hosts Thomas Kopelman and Anne Rhodes are joined by esteemed guest, Financial Advisor and Founder of the Good Money Framework, Derek Kinney. Together, they delve into the profound impact of estate planning, exploring how it transcends financial considerations to shape lasting legacies. Derek shares compelling stories from his career as a top financial advisor, illustrating the emotional connections and meaningful conversations that can transform estate planning into a powerful tool for legacy building. Discover how thoughtful dialogue and strategic planning can ensure your values and wishes endure for generations. Don't miss this insightful discussion that challenges conventional approaches and offers fresh perspectives on creating a living legacy.
CPA and Retirement Tax Services founder Steven Jarvis joins the Wealth.com team to unpack the compliance, communication, and client service dynamics around tax planning. They explore how financial advisors can, and should, talk about taxes without overstepping into legal territory. From forming better relationships with CPAs and estate attorneys to setting clearer expectations with clients, this episode provides real-world insights on collaboration, liability risks, and how thoughtful tax involvement can elevate an advisor’s value and reputation.
In this special Q&A episode, Thomas and David tackle some of the most common—and practical—estate planning questions they get from clients. From deciding when a revocable trust makes sense to the pros and cons of joint vs. individual trusts, they break down tricky issues like funding trusts with S-Corps, student loan discharge at death, and structuring distributions for children. Whether you're helping clients title assets, avoid probate, or protect family wealth, this episode offers clear, actionable guidance for real-world planning.
Titling assets correctly is one of the most overlooked but critical parts of estate planning. In this episode, Thomas Kopelman and David Haughton unpack the complexities of properly funding a trust—breaking down how to handle everything from bank accounts and investment accounts to business interests, private investments, and life insurance. They highlight common pitfalls, share practical guidance, and explain how to coordinate across professionals to ensure your estate plan actually works the way it was designed.
Thomas, Anne, and David break down one of the most complex—but powerful—tools in advanced estate planning: the dynasty trust and the Generation-Skipping Transfer (GST) tax. Learn how ultra-high-net-worth families use these structures to shield assets from future estate taxes, and why understanding the GST exemption matters for long-term planning. From trust structuring to choosing the right state jurisdiction, this episode offers a primer on preserving wealth across multiple generations—with practical context for advisors and clients alike.
Helping kids financially isn’t one-size-fits-all. In this episode, Thomas Kopelman, Anne Rhodes, and David Haughton unpack the nuanced differences between gifting, loaning, and renting when supporting family—especially when it comes to housing. They explore the legal, tax, and emotional factors behind each approach, including intra-family mortgages, interest forgiveness, and structuring rental agreements. From IRS considerations to preserving family dynamics, this episode helps advisors and clients make smart, intentional decisions when offering financial support.
Brent Weiss, Head of Financial Wellness at Facet, joins Thomas Kopelman and Anne Rhodes to bust common estate planning myths and explore how technology is reshaping the planning experience. They discuss why estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy, how friction and emotional weight often delay action, and how advisors can help clients overcome these barriers. From building connections with client's families to using digital platforms like Wealth.com, this episode offers practical insights to make estate planning more accessible, timely, and client-centered.
In this episode of The Practical Planner, Thomas Kopelman and David Haughton dive into the estate planning opportunities that arise during down markets. With recent market volatility and policy shifts making headlines, they explore how advisors can leverage tools like SLATs, GRATs, and Roth conversions to preserve and grow wealth outside of the estate. From timing gifts to managing legislative and market risks, they provide actionable insights for advisors navigating uncertain times.
No one gets married planning for divorce—but failing to plan can leave assets vulnerable. In this episode, Thomas Kopelman, Anne Rhodes, and Dave Haughton dive into why prenuptial agreements (prenups) are a key estate planning tool, not just a safeguard for the ultra-wealthy. They break down the difference between community and separate property, how prenups protect business owners, and what happens if you don’t have one in place. They also discuss post-nuptial agreements, common misconceptions, and how advisors can guide clients through these crucial conversations.
Crypto, online accounts, and other digital assets are now a critical part of estate planning—but many advisors and clients aren’t prepared. In this episode, Thomas Kopelman and Dave Haughton break down what advisors need to know, from crypto taxation and security risks to ensuring digital assets are accessible when needed. They cover key estate planning strategies, common mistakes, and how to help clients organize and protect their full digital footprint. Ignoring digital assets isn’t an option—advisors who understand them will be the ones clients trust most.
AI is transforming wealth management and estate planning, but how should advisors think about it? In this episode, Thomas Kopelman, Dave Haughton, and Anne Rhodes sit down with Seungwoo Son, VP of Applied AI at Wealth.com, to unpack what AI can do today—and where it’s headed. They break down how advisors can use AI to streamline workflows, why human oversight still matters, and what to watch for when evaluating AI tools. From data privacy concerns to spotting unreliable outputs, they cover the must-knows for integrating AI effectively. AI won’t replace advisors, but those who use it wisely will have a clear advantage.
This week, hosts Thomas Kopelman and Dave Haughton provide their perspectives on the critical role advisors have in helping their clients with their estate plans. They already have an intimate understanding of their financial situation and future goals, so they’re uniquely positioned to help educate them on their estate plan options.
They discuss how advisors can integrate estate planning into ongoing financial planning sessions, how to coordinate with estate attorneys and other third-parties and, ultimately, how they can be the go-to person to help their clients make informed decisions
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States