059: Estate Planning Strategies to Secure Your Legacy with Kirsten Howe

We all talk about estate planning, and most of us think of it as something we’ll get to next year. 

Why? It’s simple: estate planning forces us to admit we’re not invincible. For so many of us, it takes a major milestone or a tragic event to get our ducks in a row, and that’s not a good way to plan, no matter how old you are or what stage of life you’re in.

This is why I’m excited to introduce you to Kirsten Howe. Kirsten has spent over 20 years as an estate planning attorney. At her company, Absolute Trust Counsel, she’s made it her life’s mission to educate people on the mistakes people make when they don’t plan and how to get your house in order now. 

In today’s conversation, you’ll learn what happens if you do nothing, the difference between wills and properly executed trusts, the benefits of keeping your beneficiary forms updated, and what you can do to ensure that you keep more of your hard earned money.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: 

• The many reasons so many people think estate planning is even worse than going to the dentist.
• What estate planning really means – and who it actually benefits.
• Why probate letter is a four-letter word – and how this can become a serious problem for individuals in second marriages, especially if they don’t actually get married.
• Why estate planning is even more urgent if you’re concerned about dementia.
• The three components of a trust.
• How estate taxes are expected to change after 2025 – and how to reduce the size of your estate by creating a gifting plan.
• How to start thinking about digital estate planning as part of your overall estate plan – and tools you can use now to get started.

Interview Resources

• Absolute Trust Counsel
• Absolute Trust Talk Podcast