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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).
46 Episodes
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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
Join hosts Thomas Kopelman and David Haughton as they dive into the critical financial planning numbers for 2025. Learn about updated estate tax exemptions, gifting limits, IRA and 401(k) contribution thresholds, and strategies like the Mega Backdoor Roth.
Gain valuable insights into tax-advantaged accounts, including HSAs and 529 plans, and how these changes can impact your clients’ financial plans.
For any questions, email us at practicalplanner@wealth.com.
Follow us on Instagram at @practicalplannerpodcast to stay up-to-date with our podcast!
This episode of The Practical Planner was recorded live at the 59th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning in Orlando, one of the premier conferences for estate planning professionals. Anne Rhodes and David Haughton attended in person and shared insights with co-host Thomas Kopelman, who joined virtually, about why estate plans often stall, the latest developments in irrevocable trusts, and the enduring value of conferences for building relationships and gaining expertise in the estate planning and wealth management fields.
In this episode of The Practical Planner, our hosts dive deep into the complexities of deed transfers. They discuss how to transfer properties into trusts, the importance of title searches and the common mistakes that can create headaches and legal issues down the line.
They also touch on navigating state-specific challenges and how to guide clients considering transferring property into a trust.
Charitable giving can provide crucial immediate tax benefits, but it can also be a powerful tool in estate planning. Hosts Thomas Kopelman and Dave Haughton discuss the various tools available for charitable giving, including donor-advised funds (DAFs), Charitable Remainder Trusts and Charitable Lead Trusts. They emphasize how to use tools like these to optimize charitable giving for tax efficiency.
They also discuss why it can be important to include children in charitable decisions and how to minimize the tax burden on heirs through strategic planning that maximizes charitable contributions.
In this episode, hosts Thomas Kopelman, Anne Rhodes, and David Haughton explore how recent election results could shape estate tax planning through 2025 and beyond. They emphasize the importance of flexibility in navigating uncertainty in tax laws and political environments. The discussion includes the potential sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, why advisors must stay informed and adaptable and how to approach flexible planning for ultra-high-net-worth clients.
This week, Adam Nash, CEO and co-founder of Daffy, joins host Thomas Kopelmen for a special charity-focused episode of The Practical Planner. Giving to charities isn’t just about supporting causes you care about, it can provide immediate and long-term tax deductions.
Adam and Thomas discuss how donor-advised funds (DAFs) work, how they allow you to better support your favorite charities and the financial and tax benefits of having one place. They touch on the role of automation in making charitable contributions easier, how to find the right charities to support and how to leverage the tax benefits of giving back.
It’s important to take the time to decide how to leave your assets to your children, or other minors in your life. That’s the takeaway message from hosts Thomas Kopelman and Dave Haughton in this week’s Practical Planner episode, where they focus on the reasons for structuring how children receive assets but the considerations that go into it, such as their long-term motivation and well-being.
They dig into the reasons why leaving it outright may not be best, and why choosing a trust can be a valuable tool to plan for children’s financial future. The explore different options for structuring trusts, such as naming a trustee to manage distributions or staggering distributions based on age or yearly terms.
Reddit thread Thomas mentions at 8:55: https://www.reddit.com/r/Asmongold/comments/1ehx7ug/a_redditor_spent_their_inheritance_on_intel_this/
Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you die. It’s also about knowing how to best pass on your wealth during your lifetime, especially your children.
In this episode, hosts Thomas Kopelman and Dave Haughton discuss different ways to play for your children’s future. The explore various types of accounts, including UTMA accounts and 529 plans, detailing the pros and cons of each. They also discuss gifting, including how to help with large expenses like student loans and housing, and when to utilize trusts.
If you’ve wondered if your client needs a Credit Shelter Trust, this episode details their value in estate planning. Hosts Anne Rhodes, Thomas Kopelman and David Haughton discuss why Credit Shelter Trusts are designed for estate tax planning, specifically to preserve the estate tax exemption for spouses. They go into the different ways Credit Shelter Trusts can be structured and the potential downsides of using one. They also touch on Survivor’s Trusts and why flexibility in estate planning is so important.
For any questions, email us at practicalplanner@wealth.com.
Follow us on Instagram at @practicalplannerpodcast to stay up-to-date with our podcast!
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