Absolute Trust Talk

Hosted by Kirsten Howe: Attorney and podcaster

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Aug 2026

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Absolute Trust Talk is your navigational compass that brings together the business of trusts, estate planning, and aging – your home base to find the knowledge you're seeking on what lies ahead. With over 27 years of experience, Kirsten has seen her fair share of clients confused and overwhelmed with the complexity of estate planning and the challenges and obstacles that life can throw your way. On a mission to take her vast expertise and experience to a new level, Absolute Trust Talk host Kirsten Howe brings a thought-provoking, approachable, friendly voice to a wide variety of life and legacy planning topics. Through this series of podcasts, the Absolute Trust Talk team will connect with like-minded business professionals, industry leaders, and luminaries to spotlight how listeners can make educated and informed lifestyle and planning decisions. Living your best, quality life while preparing for the future doesn't have to be stressful or hard, but it does have to be smart.

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August 18, 2026Episode 21013 min

210: Aging in Place, Part 2: How JoeyCo Home Sharing Actually Works

Once a student is living in your spare room and working for your household, the questions get practical fast. Can they have a friend over? What did the screening actually check? And if it stops working, how does it end? In Part 2 of her conversation with JoeyCo founder Alison Donnally, host Kirsten Howe asks all of them — and gets straight answers, including who tends to apply for these arrangements and, just as usefully, who doesn't. Every JoeyCo match rests on two agreements that reference each other — a lodging agreement and a household employment agreement — and Alison explains why, in California, housing offered because of the job puts a homeowner on firmer ground than a standard tenancy would, pointing to case law built around live-in building superintendents as the model. It's a practical look at what this arrangement asks of a household, and what it gives back. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Who becomes a Joey? First-generation students, former family caregivers, future nurses, and business students who've run the numbers. 1:52 Kirsten asks the question every host wonders about: what happens when it just has to end? 2:11 Most endings aren't dramatic — different directions, changing needs, and an amicable way out. 2:26 A core JoeyCo principle: "We're not just moving someone in and saying good luck." 2:40 Did you know? The lodging and employment agreements self-reference — and in California, that changes a host's footing. 3:00 The live-in superintendent model: the apartment is available only because that person performs a role in the building. 3:27 What a real move-out looks like — turn in the keys, leave the space in good shape, move on. 4:04 "These are not squatters." The interviews, references, and background checks behind every placement. 4:45 Do hosts and Joeys share meals? Some hosts simply want to cook for somebody again. 5:24 The kitchen table comes back — the Chronicle-profiled household now debates big national questions over dinner. 6:38 Does a Joey have to be a college student? Why having a school in the picture helps. 7:20 JoeyCo defines "student" broadly — and just placed its first educator, a kindergarten teacher. 7:50 What happens when a Joey graduates? One May grad is making the case for recent graduates. 8:45 A match no one could have planned: a student studying PTSD, placed with a family facing dementia. 10:43 How to get started at withjoey.com — real people behind every form, and a home visit for every match. 11:40 Why JoeyCo is focused on all of California for now, and what growing thoughtfully looks like. Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together Visit https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/scheduling/ or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a couple second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits: The Absolute Trust Talk podcast is brought to you with the help of Q2Mark, led by Chief Marketing Officer Susie Hays. Since 2016, Q2Mark has partnered with Absolute Trust Counsel on all marketing communications—from brand development and website design to this podcast series with over 192 episodes, social media management, video production, and more. If you're business owner looking for comprehensive marketing support, visit Q2Mark.com .

August 7, 2026Episode 20915 min

209: Aging in Place: How JoeyCo Matches Older Adults with Student Housemates

What if the answer to aging well at home isn't an expensive caregiver --- but a college student in the spare bedroom? In this episode, host Kirsten Howe sits down with Alison Donnally, founder of JoeyCo and a healthcare innovation veteran of Amazon Care and Kaiser Permanente. After three of her own family members experienced major health events while aging alone, Alison asked a question that wouldn't let go: if the au pair system gives American families relatively affordable live-in childcare, why isn't there an equivalent for older adults? Her answer is JoeyCo, which matches older adult homeowners ("hosts") with screened, vetted local students ("Joeys") who rent a room in the home and work for the household --- groceries, dog walks, trash cans, and the everyday help that keeps life running. Together, Kirsten and Alison break down what makes these arrangements actually work: the legal structure behind every match in California, the clear expectations set before anyone moves in, and the simple communication habits that keep small issues from ever turning into big ones. They also explore the deeper reason this model resonates: as we age, our world tends to get smaller. A little help --- and a little company --- can push it back open. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 0:30 Kirsten's focus for this episode series: not living longer, but living better --- all the way to the end. 1:05 Meet Alison Donnally, founder of JoeyCo, with a background spanning Amazon Care, Kaiser Permanente, the NFL, Tuck, and Wharton. 1:40 The concept in a nutshell: older adult "hosts" get affordable help at home, and student "Joeys" get a place to live and a job. 2:42 Alison shares the personal inspiration --- three family members, aging alone for very different reasons, each experienced a major health event. 3:25 "These are not healthcare things that are happening to my family members, until it is something that is healthcare." 3:50 The aha moment came from the au pair system: why not affordable live-in support for older adults, too? 4:52 How it works in California: lodging agreements, household employment rules, and keeping the complexity on JoeyCo's side. 6:45 Who becomes a host? Often women aging alone with an extra bedroom and a desire to help solve the housing crisis. 7:30 Another common host: a household where a family member is the caregiver for someone with dementia or a chronic condition. 8:05 Every match starts with one question: what would make this host come alive? 8:47 Kirsten's theater-line story --- Joeys aren't caregivers, but getting to a play matters, too. 9:45 Even chit-chat in line adds vibrancy to a life that can start to feel smaller with age. 10:21 "One by one, we lose our friends." Why JoeyCo is more than a business transaction. 11:42 Did you know? A room-for-chores swap isn't legally compliant in California --- every match takes two agreements: monthly rent from Joey to host, and biweekly W-2 payroll from host to Joey. 12:56 The house manual covers the roommate stuff up front: Wi-Fi passwords, fridge shelves, and clear expectations. 13:30 Weekly look-ahead meetings keep payroll accurate and schedules in sync --- flexibility requires communication. 13:55 The bathroom fan story: handling the little things before they become big things. Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together Visit https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/scheduling/ or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a couple second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits: The Absolute Trust Talk podcast is brought to you with the help of Q2Mark, led by Chief Marketing Officer Susie Hays. Since 2016, Q2Mark has partnered with Absolute Trust Counsel on all marketing communications—from brand development and website design to this podcast series with over 192 episodes, social media management, video production, and more. If you're business owner looking for comprehensive marketing support, visit Q2Mark.com .

August 3, 2026Episode 20913 min

208: Downsizing on Your Terms, Part 2: Buy First, Sell Later

In Part 1, host Kirsten Howe and real estate agent Nathan Jines of Jines Real Estate Group talked about why more people 55 and up are choosing to relocate --- and how to make that choice on your own terms. Now, in Part 2, they get into the how. Nathan's first piece of advice flips conventional wisdom on its head: if you're financially able, buy your next home first, start living your new life, and let a full-service team handle the sale behind you --- decluttering, staging, repairs, negotiations, all of it, even from across the country. He shares how bridge lenders make buying first possible, why his East Coast clients never have to come back, and the lesson his own parents learned on their way to a happy new life in Portugal. Kirsten and Nathan also explore what buyers in this stage of life are really looking for --- community and connection first --- including the story of clients who traded a 2,500-square-foot Oakland home for a 1,000-square-foot condo on Yerba Buena Island and gained the city lifestyle they'd been dreaming of. The through line: your health and peace of mind matter more than any house sale. If you missed Part 1, start with Episode 207 --- then come back for the practical playbook. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 0:40 To kick things off, Kirsten asks the big logistical question: if you own a house and want to buy another, what comes first? 1:05 Nathan's answer flips conventional wisdom: if you're financially able, purchasing first and knowing where you're going is exponentially better than selling first and moving twice. 1:40 A lesson from Nathan's own family --- his parents moved into an Airbnb first, and his stepdad later admitted he wouldn't have tried to sell their belongings; he would have just donated them. Today, they're happily settled in Portugal. 2:30 Did you know? Bridge lenders can use your current property as collateral to help you move into your next place. 3:00 Selling completely remotely --- Nathan's clients move to the East Coast and never come back. His team handles clearing out the house, staging prep, painting, landscaping, and inspections, while sellers review contracts, sign documents, and make decisions from anywhere. 4:10 Kirsten's takeaway: as the seller, you don't have to stick around if it doesn't work for you. 4:40 Why moving first makes the new life real: when you're spending time with the grandkids or relaxing by your new pool, you're not thinking about that old couch you've had for 30 years. 6:40 Some clients want to be hands-on with the decluttering, and the timeline is theirs, even if it takes six months to empty every closet. 7:15 Nathan's guiding principle: the mental and physical health of the person matters more than any house sale. 7:50 The emotional side of leaving --- for some, not being there to watch the furniture leave a 30-year home is much better emotionally. 9:30 Next, Kirsten and Nathan discuss trends in what 55-plus buyers are looking for—number one: people need relationships and community, whatever that looks like for them. 10:15 From 2,500 square feet to 1,000, one of Nathan's clients traded a Redwood Heights home full of wonderful things for a brand-new Yerba Buena Island condo with no garage, and got the San Francisco city lifestyle they wanted in their 60s. 11:30 "Lighten your life" --- Kirsten's word for the trend: get rid of things, get rid of obligations, and free yourself from the need to repair the roof while still owning your own place. Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together Visit https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/scheduling/ or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a couple second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits: The Absolute Trust Talk podcast is brought to you with the help of Q2Mark, led by Chief Marketing Officer Susie Hays. Since 2016, Q2Mark has partnered with Absolute Trust Counsel on all marketing communications—from brand development and website design to this podcast series with over 192 episodes, social media management, video production, and more. If you're business owner looking for comprehensive marketing support, visit Q2Mark.com .

July 7, 2026Episode 20713 min

207: Downsizing on Your Terms: Moving After 55

When most of us picture an older adult moving out of a long-time home, we imagine a crisis — declining health, a loss of independence, a move someone else decided was necessary. This episode is about the opposite. Host Kirsten Howe welcomes back real estate agent Nathan Jines of Jines Real Estate Group to talk about homeowners 55 and up who are choosing to relocate — not because they have to, but because they want to. Nathan explains why this is his favorite group to work with, and why the most important question isn't "where should I go?" but "what do I want this next phase of my life to look like?" Whether the answer is a view, a 1930s Mediterranean in Berkeley, or simply being closer to the grandkids, the move finally gets to be about you. Kirsten also flags the good half of Prop 19 — the chance for California homeowners to take their property tax base with them when they move. If you or someone you love is starting to think about a move later in life, on your own terms, this conversation is for you. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 0:40 Kirsten frames today's topic — relocating by choice, not out of necessity. This isn't about people moving into assisted living or a child's home for care; that's a different conversation for another day. 1:45 Who this episode is for — people 55 and up with good health who want a change. 2:50 The good half of Prop 19 — in California, relocating can let you take your property tax base with you, which gives real freedom to people in this stage of life. 3:25 Why 55-plus is Nathan's favorite group to work with — at this stage, you don't have to move; you GET to, and the goal is to design the lifestyle you want for the next phase. 4:30 The most important first question isn't where to go — it's what you want your next phase to look like and what excites you. 6:10 Moving to be near the grandkids — and the Texas "barndominium" one couple built after traveling out several times, buying land, and creating a home with all the features of a house that still qualifies as a barn. 8:15 Only move because it excites you — you no longer have to relocate for a job, a new baby, or the schools. The decision finally gets to be about the life you want. 9:05 Listen for more details about how Nathan takes the pressure off a big, stressful move — his goal is to help clients explore what's right for them at their own pace. 10:00 Try before you buy — connect with a local agent and rent an Airbnb to "try on" a location, even one nearby. He shares a Berkeley client weighing city life in Rockridge against suburban Lafayette. 11:10 Don't forget the commute — Nathan shares a story about a client who moved to San Jose just as his company called everyone back to the office, and grew tired of the hour-and-a-half drive. 12:05 Next, Kirsten and Nathan discuss the most daunting part — getting out of a home full of belongings, and why you don't have to do it alone. Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together Visit https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/scheduling/ or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a couple second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits: The Absolute Trust Talk podcast is brought to you with the help of Q2Mark, led by Chief Marketing Officer Susie Hays. Since 2016, Q2Mark has partnered with Absolute Trust Counsel on all marketing communications—from brand development and website design to this podcast series with over 192 episodes, social media management, video production, and more. If you're business owner looking for comprehensive marketing support, visit Q2Mark.com .

June 20, 2026Episode 2067 min

206: Estate Planning Misses: The Mess You Leave Behind

In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, managing attorney Kirsten Howe shares an estate planning miss that has nothing to do with your documents — the literal, physical mess we tend to leave behind. Drawing on years of trust administration experience, Kirsten explains what really happens when one child is named trustee and inherits the job of emptying a home filled with decades of belongings: stalled home sales, frustrated siblings, and inheritances delayed by months. She also shares the story of a daughter trustee who nearly hauled a box of "trash" to the dumpster, only to find $2,500 in cash tucked inside. Her advice is refreshingly hands-on: start sorting through your own things now, one closet and one room at a time, so the people you love aren't left to do it for you. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 0:35 Kirsten introduces today's miss — this one isn't about what your documents say, it's about something you yourself can do, starting now. 1:05 The scenario she sees constantly: one child is named trustee, the family home is full of decades of belongings, and it can't be sold until it's cleared out — a job that typically lands on that one child. 1:55 A lose-lose bind: the other siblings often won't help, yet they'll complain if the trustee spends estate money to hire a professional to do it. 2:15 Why an inheritance can take six months instead of two — the first three months may go just to emptying the house. 3:05 Pro Tip: Start now, one closet and one room at a time: even Kirsten admits to three closets and three dressers of clothing she hasn't touched in years. 3:50 You don't have to do it alone — enlist a child or a friend, trade off helping at each other's homes, or hire a professional. 4:28 A cautionary tale: a daughter trustee, overwhelmed by boxes of old tax returns, bank statements, and decades-old books, nearly called for a dumpster — until she found $2,500 in cash in a box she assumed was trash. 5:40 The bottom line: take the job on now. Every bit you do eases the load on the child you've chosen as trustee, helps your kids get along after you're gone — and you might even enjoy revisiting old memories along the way. Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together Visit https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/scheduling/ or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a couple second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits: The Absolute Trust Talk podcast is brought to you with the help of Q2Mark, led by Chief Marketing Officer Susie Hays. Since 2016, Q2Mark has partnered with Absolute Trust Counsel on all marketing communications—from brand development and website design to this podcast series with over 192 episodes, social media management, video production, and more. If you're business owner looking for comprehensive marketing support, visit Q2Mark.com.

May 18, 2026Episode 20510 min

205: Estate Planning Misses: How to Document a Loan or Gift to Your Child

In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, managing attorney Kirsten Howe tackles a quietly common source of family conflict: parents giving money to their adult children without documenting whether it's a gift or a loan. Drawing on years of trust administration experience, Kirsten shares a real family story where canceled checks sparked a bitter dispute among siblings after their parents passed, and she walks through the simple documentation steps that could have prevented it. She also addresses a second pitfall most families overlook: when a loan is properly documented up front but the repayment activity isn't tracked, leaving trustees with no way to know how much, if anything, is still owed. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 0:35 Kirsten kicks off today's topic: what happens when parents give money to their adult children without documenting it — and why those transfers can become a problem after the parents pass. 1:05 A trend Kirsten has noticed: Bay Area parents helping adult children with home down payments—a generous move that can create complications during trust administration if it's not well documented. 1:55 Issue #1: Was it a gift or a loan? The first question Kirsten's firm runs into when reviewing a trust is the financial history. 2:15 A real family story: parents quietly helped one daughter with several checks during a rough patch. After the parents passed, the other siblings dug up the canceled checks and called them loans — and the family fight was on. 4:15 The takeaway: document it. Whether it's as simple as writing "gift" on the memo line, adding blanket gift language to your trust, or having a signed promissory note for a loan, make your intent clear in writing. 5:30 Issue #2: The loan was documented properly — a real promissory note, signed and everything — but that was years ago, and now nobody knows what's been paid back. 7:05 The fix: keep good records on both sides. A simple spreadsheet for the lender, canceled checks or equivalent for the borrower — without it, the trustee may have to assume nothing was repaid. 8:00 Why family loans need to be treated like business: the love and trust between parent and child don't survive the parent's death, and the next person at the table may see things very differently. 8:45 The bottom line: if money is moving between you and your child, document it like a business deal — so your family doesn't end up litigating it years later. Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together Visit https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/scheduling/ or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a couple second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits: The Absolute Trust Talk podcast is brought to you with the help of Q2Mark, led by Chief Marketing Officer Susie Hays. Since 2016, Q2Mark has partnered with Absolute Trust Counsel on all marketing communications—from brand development and website design to this podcast series with over 192 episodes, social media management, video production, and more. If you're business owner looking for comprehensive marketing support, visit Q2Mark.com .

April 8, 2026Episode 2048 min

204: Estate Planning Misses: Addressing Separate Property in a Joint Trust

In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, managing attorney Kirsten Howe tackles one of the most common — and commonly overlooked — estate planning scenarios: what happens when one spouse inherits money, assets, or real estate after a joint trust is already in place. Kirsten breaks down the difference between separate and community property in California, explains why adding inherited assets to a joint trust doesn't change their character but does affect who controls them, and walks through the two practical solutions her firm recommends. She also reveals a lesser-known complication: that even when a trust document grants one spouse sole trustee authority over a separate property account, the financial institution may not honor it, and why that matters more than most clients realize. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 0:43 Kirsten kicks off today's topic: what to do when one spouse inherits significant assets while the couple already has a joint trust in place. 1:30 A quick primer on California community property law — what qualifies as separate property, what doesn't, and why it matters for this conversation. 2:20 The common scenario: a couple has a joint trust covering all their assets, then one spouse receives a big inheritance. What now? 3:05 Here's what surprises most people: adding separate property to a joint trust doesn't change its legal character. It's still yours. But there's a catch. 3:50 The catch: a joint trust has two co-trustees, and trust-held property typically requires both signatures — meaning your spouse now has a hand in decisions about your inheritance. 4:45 One solution many clients choose: a standalone separate property trust just for the inherited assets, where you're the only trustee — fully in control, no co-signature required. 5:30 Did you know? You can title an inherited account within a joint trust as one spouse's separate property — but whether your financial institution will honor that is a different question entirely. 6:10 The fine print: even if your trust document names you as the sole trustee of a specific account, your bank's legal department may still require both spouses to sign. 6:55 The bottom line: before adding separate property to a joint trust, ask yourself two things — do you want full control, and what will your financial institution actually allow? Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together Visit https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/scheduling/ or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a couple second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits: The Absolute Trust Talk podcast is brought to you with the help of Q2Mark, led by Chief Marketing Officer Susie Hays. Since 2016, Q2Mark has partnered with Absolute Trust Counsel on all marketing communications—from brand development and website design to this podcast series with over 192 episodes, social media management, video production, and more. If you're business owner looking for comprehensive marketing support, visit Q2Mark.com .

March 26, 2026Episode 2038 min

203: Estate Planning Misses: How to Make Cash Available Immediately After Death

In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, managing attorney Kirsten Howe tackles one of the most overlooked practical challenges in estate planning: making sure your loved ones have access to cash immediately after you die. Kirsten walks through why the most common account structures — trust-held accounts, individually owned accounts, and pay-on-death designations — all come with delays that can leave families unable to cover urgent expenses, such as funeral and burial costs. She then breaks down the one strategy that actually works, adding a trusted co-owner to a small joint checking account, and explains the legal implications of joint tenancy and right of survivorship that every family needs to understand before going this route. Kirsten also explains why keeping the account balance modest matters and why leaving a written statement of intent is essential when there is more than one beneficiary. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 0:43 Why having cash readily available immediately after death is a problem many families don't anticipate. 1:30 Yes, you can prepay for funerals, burials, and cremations — but this episode focuses on those who haven't done that. 2:15 How trust-held accounts work at death: the successor trustee gains access, but only after a death certificate is obtained — which can take two to three weeks. 3:10 Accounts held in your own name are even slower. Why? The law requires a 40-day waiting period before anyone can access them. 4:00 Pay-on-death beneficiary accounts also require a death certificate, making them similarly slow in a time-sensitive situation. 4:45 The joint account strategy: adding a trusted person as a co-owner gives them immediate access — no death certificate required. 5:50 Did you know? When you add someone to an account, and you die, that account legally belongs to the co-owner through right of survivorship. 7:00 Why this strategy still works in practice: most families handle it correctly, but the key is the conversation — and keeping the account balance modest. 8:10 If you have more than one child or beneficiary, it's important to document why you added one person to the account so there are no surprises. 9:00 The cash-at-home option is possible but not recommended due to security and safety risks. 9:30 The bottom line: a small joint account with a trusted co-owner is the most reliable way to make cash available immediately after death. Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together Visit https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/scheduling/ or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a couple second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits: The Absolute Trust Talk podcast is brought to you with the help of Q2Mark, led by Chief Marketing Officer Susie Hays. Since 2016, Q2Mark has partnered with Absolute Trust Counsel on all marketing communications—from brand development and website design to this podcast series with over 192 episodes, social media management, video production, and more. If you're business owner looking for comprehensive marketing support, visit Q2Mark.com .

February 26, 2026Episode 20212 min

202: Estate Planning Misses: The Timeshare Problem No One Talks About

That timeshare you've been putting off dealing with? It could become a probate headache for your family. In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, managing attorney Kirsten Howe breaks down the two types of timeshares — traditional deeded ownership and modern points-based systems — and explains why both need to be addressed in your estate plan. She walks through what's involved in transferring a timeshare to your revocable living trust, why it matters to act while you're alive, and what really happens when a timeshare is left unaddressed after someone dies — including the possibility of probate in multiple states. Plus, she covers your real options for getting out of a timeshare and the scams to watch out for along the way. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 0:43 To get things started, Kirsten highlights why timeshares matter in estate planning. 1:15 What is a timeshare? Deeded real estate ownership that is shared with other families. 2:38 Points-based timeshares are a modern alternative in which you purchase annual points rather than owning real estate. 3:18 Transferring a timeshare to your revocable living trust requires contacting the resort company and retitling the property. 4:44 Did you know? When your timeshare is in Florida, Hawaii, or another state, you need a deed prepared by someone licensed in that state. 5:30 The big miss: What happens when clients put off dealing with their timeshare, and it's left unaddressed after they die? 7:10 Even if your California trust is set up perfectly, out-of-state timeshare real estate can trigger probate in each jurisdiction. 8:15 The other miss: Why many clients say buying the timeshare was the real mistake—rising fees, declining use, and no easy way out. 9:53 Your exit options: give-back programs, selling on the resale market, and why you probably won't recoup your original investment. 10:58 Unsolicited calls offering to help you get rid of your timeshare are a red flag. 11:15 The charity myth: why donating your timeshare to charity isn't the easy solution people think it is. Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together Visit https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/scheduling/ or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a couple second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits: The Absolute Trust Talk podcast is brought to you with the help of Q2Mark, led by Chief Marketing Officer Susie Hays. Since 2016, Q2Mark has partnered with Absolute Trust Counsel on all marketing communications—from brand development and website design to this podcast series with over 192 episodes, social media management, video production, and more. If you're business owner looking for comprehensive marketing support, visit Q2Mark.com .

February 12, 2026Episode 2019 min

201: Estate Planning Misses: What Happens When Your Custodial or 529 Account Has No Successor

In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, managing attorney Kirsten Howe continues her estate planning misses mini-series by tackling custodial accounts and 529 education plans. While these accounts are incredibly popular for saving for children, most people don't realize a critical legal distinction: you don't actually own them. This misconception leads to a costly problem when account owners die without proper succession planning. Kirsten shares real cases from her practice where families ended up in probate court—spending thousands of dollars in legal fees just to access money intended for their children's education. The good news? This problem is completely avoidable with one simple form at your financial institution. Kirsten walks through exactly what you need to do for existing and new accounts, plus provides a bonus warning about donor-advised funds with similar risks. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 1:10 What custodial accounts are and how they work—an adult manages money that legally belongs to a child 1:45 Age limits for custodial accounts in California: children can access the money at 18 or 25 2:15 Understanding 529 education accounts and why contributions are considered gifts 2:45 The common misconception clients have about 529 accounts: thinking the money is still theirs when, legally they've given it away 3:33 Where the trouble starts when a custodian or 529 owner dies without proper succession planning 4:15 The probate court reality: families need court intervention to fix these problems even without a full probate 5:00 The costly consequence of missing this planning step: spending thousands to access thousands 6:04 The simple solution is designating a successor owner for 529 accounts using forms from your financial institution 6:45 How to protect custodial accounts by designating alternate custodians 7:15 Action step for existing accounts: call your financial institution to verify you've designated successors 8:00 Donor-advised funds present similar succession planning challenges 8:21 Final reminder: talk to your financial advisor about donor-advised funds to ensure you've dotted all the I's and crossed all the T's Take the Next Step in Your Estate Planning Journey If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to help you with your own estate planning needs in California. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with our team at Absolute Trust Counsel. During this no-obligation conversation, we'll: Learn about your unique situation and goals Answer questions about our services Determine if we're the right fit to work together Visit https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/scheduling/ or call 925-943-2740 to schedule your free discovery call today. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a couple second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits: The Absolute Trust Talk podcast is brought to you with the help of Q2Mark, led by Chief Marketing Officer Susie Hays. Since 2016, Q2Mark has partnered with Absolute Trust Counsel on all marketing communications—from brand development and website design to this podcast series with over 192 episodes, social media management, video production, and more. If you're business owner looking for comprehensive marketing support, visit Q2Mark.com .