Feb, 21
2020
Business, Entertainment, Free News Articles, Legal and Law

Don’t Shoot Yourself in the Foot – Transferring of Firearm is Complicated, Prepare Your Estate Plan the Right Way

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Absolute Trust Talk, a monthly podcast released by Absolute Trust Counsel, recently sat down with gun law expert Joseph Fenton, associate attorney of Campbell Green LLP, to discuss the smooth and legal transfer of firearms.

Fenton reports that unlike other assets listed in your estate plan, you may not be able to simply pass down a firearm to an inheritor, even if it has been legally documented.

"Guns are unique assets, and they have both federal and state laws that need to be followed. In California, you are required to register the transfer of ownership, or you may have to dispose of it."

So, what exactly are the steps that should be followed if a firearm is known or believed to be part of an estate? You should:
1. Locate the firearm.
2. Secure and clear the firearm - if you don't know how to do this find someone who does, Fenton urges. It is not something that can be learned on YouTube.
3. Catalog all firearms involved.
4. And then distribute them or get rid of them.

"As an overview, this sounds simple, but when you get to the distribution part, there is a process that needs to be followed and forms that need to be filed depending on your relationship to the testator," Fenton adds. "And that's something we really dive into on the show."

"It was an honor to have Joseph's expertise for this episode," says Kirsten Howe, Absolute Trust Talk host and founder of Absolute Trust Counsel. "Guns and firearms are a hot topic right now, and people don't understand that you can't just pass them off to the next generation or another person. As Joseph points out, just because you want your grandson Billy or your best friend Bob to have your firearm, doesn't mean that they are the right person, or will be cleared for inheriting the weapon when the time comes."

In Absolute Trust Talk's Episode #031 - "Do You Have a Firearm in Your Estate Plan?" - Howe and Fenton discuss:
* What rules need to be followed for transferring a firearm in California
* Where firearms fall within an estate plan
* What language should be used in your estate if a firearm can't be transferred as planned
* The specific details of how to properly transfer a firearm to another person - family member or not.

The podcast can be downloaded on the Absolute Trust Talk podcast page, https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/031-do-you-have-a-firearm-in-your-estate-plan/, along with a free downloadable resource and exclusive tool: "Stick to Your Guns: How to Handle Firearms in an Estate."

It can also be downloaded on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/absolute-trust-talk/id1371742254?mt=2.

About Absolute Trust Talk:

Educating at every step. Absolute Trust Talk is not your run-of-the-mill general counsel show filled with legal jargon that doesn't resonate. Through her 20+ years of practice, Absolute Trust Counsel's managing attorney, Kirsten Howe, found herself working with clients who were confused and overwhelmed by the complexity of estate planning and saw a need to help clients with education and specific client-centered estate planning services.

Now she's taking her expertise and experience to a new level; she's on a mission to bring a thought-provoking and approachable, friendly voice not only to estate planning, but to a wide variety of business and financial wellness topics. Through a series of podcasts, Howe will connect with like-minded business professionals and work to coach and encourage listeners to make educated and informed planning decisions. Preparing for the future doesn't have to be stressful or hard, but it does have to be smart.

About Absolute Trust Counsel:

Absolute Trust Counsel is among the most highly ranked estate planning law firms in Walnut Creek. The firm's areas of expertise include estate planning, trust administration, Medi-Cal planning, probate, retirement assets planning and special needs planning. Absolute Trust Counsel's mission is to provide easy legal solutions for every client.

Howe was admitted to the California bar in 1987 and has practiced in Walnut Creek since 1997. She earned her J.D. cum laude at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she was a member of the Thurston Society and Managing Editor of The Hastings Law Journal. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan.

She is a member of the Trusts and Estates Section of The State of California Bar; the Estate Planning and Probate Section; the Elder Law Section; and the Women's Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association. She's on the Board of Directors of the Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley and a member of the Robert G. McGrath American Inn of Court.

Learn more: https://absolutetrustcounsel.com.

About Campbell Green LLP:

At Campbell Green, we represent our clients in all aspects of their trusts and estate needs. We work with our clients to efficiently manage and transfer their assets during life, incapacity, and at death. Our attorneys look at the big picture and make sure that our representation is truly comprehensive, addressing the important issues affecting you and your family.

Learn more: https://campbellgreenlaw.com.

Related link: https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

May, 09
2019
Business, Entertainment, Free News Articles, General Editorial

The New Old Age: America’s Elders Fumbling Through the Journey of Aging

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Absolute Trust Talk, a monthly podcast released by Absolute Trust Counsel, recently sat down with Linda Fodrini-Johnson, Founder and Executive Director of Eldercare Services, to discuss the solution to aging with ease.

Fodrini-Johnson reports that two scenarios are happening with older adults. One, they are looking for experts to help them make decisions as they transition into later years of life, or families are facing older loved ones in crisis and need help to find solutions.

"Unfortunately, not enough people know that professionals like aging lifecare managers exist. Many stumble on to us by accident not realizing that there is an expert navigator to guide an elder through their troubles with comfort."

So, what is it that a care manager gives that the family can't? Asking the right questions about a person's health care needs outside of what the family knows - asking what gave a loved one's life meaning and how that will be incorporated regardless of deficits. It's about making sure the quality of life is still there and that the journey is stress free, Fodrini-Johnson says.

"Linda is truly a goldmine of information and experience," says Kirsten Howe, Absolute Trust Talk host and Absolute Trust Counsel Founder. "She knows all the stops and how to get a senior and their family from point A to point B while keeping options for the rest of the journey in sight."

In Absolute Trust Talk's Episode #026 - "Expert Advice on Geriatric Care" - Howe and Fodrini-Johnson discuss:
* What geriatric care is
* What families need to think about when it comes to quality of life for an aging parent
* How families should plan for the transition into long-term care
* How eldercare services can help a family save money.

The podcast can be downloaded on the Absolute Trust Talk podcast page, https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/026-expert-advice-on-geriatric-care-with-linda-fodrini-johnson/, along with a free downloadable resource and exclusive tool: "Moms Moving In - The Rewards, Concerns and Realities."

It can also be downloaded on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/absolute-trust-talk/id1371742254?mt=2.

About Absolute Trust Talk:

Educating at every step. Absolute Trust Talk is not your run-of-the-mill general counsel show filled with legal jargon that doesn't resonate. Through her 20+ years of practice, Absolute Trust Counsel's managing attorney, Kirsten Howe, found herself working with clients who were confused and overwhelmed by the complexity of estate planning and saw a need to help clients with education and specific client-centered estate planning services. Now she's taking her expertise and experience to a new level; she's on a mission to bring a thought-provoking and approachable, friendly voice not only to estate planning, but to a wide variety of business and financial wellness topics.

Through a series of podcasts, Howe will connect with like-minded business professionals and work to coach and encourage listeners to make educated and informed planning decisions. Preparing for the future doesn't have to be stressful or hard, but it does have to be smart.

About Absolute Trust Counsel:

Absolute Trust Counsel is among the most highly ranked estate planning law firms in Walnut Creek. The firm's areas of expertise include estate planning, trust administration, Medi-Cal planning, probate, retirement assets planning and special needs planning. Absolute Trust Counsel's mission is to provide easy legal solutions for every client.

Howe was admitted to the California bar in 1987 and has practiced in Walnut Creek since 1997. She earned her J.D. cum laude at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she was a member of the Thurston Society and Managing Editor of The Hastings Law Journal. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan.

She is a member of the Trusts and Estates Section of The State of California Bar; the Estate Planning and Probate Section; the Elder Law Section; and the Women's Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association. She's on the Board of Directors of the Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley and a member of the Robert G. McGrath American Inn of Court.

Learn more: https://absolutetrustcounsel.com.

About Eldercare Services:

Founded in 1989, Eldercare Services is a locally owned and operated care management and home care company, accredited by the Joint Commission with a staff of over 15 Professional Care Managers and more than 200 highly trained caregivers. Further information can be found on www.EldercareAnswers.com.

Related link:

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Apr, 25
2019
Business, Free News Articles, Legal and Law, Taxes and Accounting

Tax Law Changes Impact Charitable Giving – Is Philanthropy Motivated by Tax Reasons Dead?

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Absolute Trust Talk, a monthly podcast released by Absolute Trust Counsel, recently sat down with Michael Crvarich, Vice President of Legacy Giving at the John Muir Health Foundation, to discuss how an individual's core value system is the new driving force behind charitable giving.

Crvarich reports that with exemption credits now doubled for 99% of Americans, the estate tax is taken off the table.

"There's a paradigm shift, and the need to do things from an estate tax planning point of view isn't as prevalent," he says. "We're seeing a values-based approach now that people aren't trying to beat Uncle Sam."

Absolute Trust Talk host and Absolute Trust Counsel founder Kirsten Howe agrees, adding that from an estate planning point of view it had been a big opportunity to incorporate charity in an estate plan because charitable contributions were deductible from a taxable estate or income taxes.

"Now that we don't have to really worry about estate taxes, it's a whole different ball game," she says.

So, why are people still giving? Because it's about the mission, about making a difference.

"It's about changing lives and changing your community, and that's the real gift," Crvarich says.

In Absolute Trust Talk's Episode #025 - "The Exploration of Legacy Planning and Charitable Giving" - Howe and Crvarich discuss:
* How the change in tax laws has had an impact on charity
* What drives people to give
* How families can get involved in charitable giving
* The mission, successes and strategies on the growth of the John Muir Health Foundation.

"Our goal for Absolute Trust Talk is to get together with leaders to break down important topics into thought-provoking, approachable and easy-to-consume content for our community," Howe says. "It's interesting to explore the motivations behind the people in our communities, our clients, and how their wants and needs truly drive planning for the future of their legacies."

The podcast can be downloaded on the Absolute Trust Talk podcast page, https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/025-the-exploration-of-legacy-planning-and-charitable-giving-with-michael-crvarich-of-the-john-muir-health-foundation/, along with a host of free downloadable resources including:
* "Creating a Family Mission Statement" workbook
* A variety of e-booklets that explore the different ways of giving under the new tax laws
* Free one-hour consultation to explore values-based philanthropy and giving.

It can also be downloaded on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/absolute-trust-talk/id1371742254?mt=2.

About Absolute Trust Talk:

Educating at every step. Absolute Trust Talk is not your run-of-the-mill general counsel show filled with legal jargon that doesn't resonate. Through her 20+ years of practice, Absolute Trust Counsel's managing attorney, Kirsten Howe, found herself working with clients who were confused and overwhelmed by the complexity of estate planning and saw a need to help clients with education and specific client-centered estate planning services. Now she's taking her expertise and experience to a new level; she's on a mission to bring a thought-provoking and approachable, friendly voice not only to estate planning, but to a wide variety of business and financial wellness topics. Through a series of podcasts, Howe will connect with like-minded business professionals and work to coach and encourage listeners to make educated and informed planning decisions. Preparing for the future doesn't have to be stressful or hard, but it does have to be smart.

About Absolute Trust Counsel:

Absolute Trust Counsel is among the most highly ranked estate planning law firms in Walnut Creek. The firm's areas of expertise include estate planning, trust administration, Medi-Cal planning, probate, retirement assets planning and special needs planning. Absolute Trust Counsel's mission is to provide easy legal solutions for every client.

Howe was admitted to the California bar in 1987 and has practiced in Walnut Creek since 1997. She earned her J.D. cum laude at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she was a member of the Thurston Society and Managing Editor of The Hastings Law Journal. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan.

She is a member of the Trusts and Estates Section of The State of California Bar; the Estate Planning and Probate Section; the Elder Law Section; and the Women's Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association. She's on the Board of Directors of the Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley and a member of the Robert G. McGrath American Inn of Court.

Learn more: https://absolutetrustcounsel.com.

About the John Muir Health Foundation:

John Muir Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and stewarding philanthropic support for all health services, programs and facilities of John Muir Health. As a community-based, not-for-profit health care organization, John Muir Health invests all revenue back into its services and the local community. Philanthropic gifts are essential to sustaining and enhancing the margin of excellence that distinguishes John Muir Health as a top-rated health care provider and a vital community asset.

Learn more: https://www.givehealthjmh.org.

Related link:

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Mar, 01
2019
Business, Entertainment, Free News Articles, General Editorial

Popular Podcast Focuses on Alzheimer’s: Early Detection, Future Planning and Signs Misinterpreted

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Absolute Trust Talk, a monthly podcast released by Absolute Trust Counsel, recently sat down with Dori Sproul, a family care specialist from the Alzheimer's Association of Northern California, to discuss the myths and misconceptions associated with Alzheimer's - a growing epidemic that affects more than 5 million people each year.

"To date, it's been the most widely listened to episode on iTunes," Kirsten Howe, Absolute Trust Talk host and Absolute Trust Counsel Founder, says.

So, why are people listening? These facts are likely contributors: one in three seniors who die each year has Alzheimer's or another dementia; and Alzheimer's is the fourth leading cause of death in California.

Sproul reports the scary part is that many people often misinterpret Alzheimer's symptoms as natural signs of aging or other health issues.

"This switch-up is more common than you think," she says. "But with a disease that is the fourth leading cause of death in California, it's important now more than ever for the public to be educated."

In Absolute Trust Talk's Episode #023 - "Knowing Alzheimer's" -
Howe and Sproul discuss:
* What exactly Alzheimer's is and what it does to the body
* Vital warning signs
* How patients are diagnosed
* The advantages of early detection
* How crucial it is to plan ahead financially
* What the Alzheimer's Association is and how it helps families and individuals impacted by the illness.

The podcast can be downloaded on the Absolute Trust Talk podcast page: https://absolutetrustcounsel.com/023-knowing-alzheimers-with-family-care-specialist-dori-sproul-of-the-alzheimers-association/ along with a free downloadable resource and exclusive tool: "Know the 10 Signs - Because Early Detection Matters."

It can also be downloaded on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/absolute-trust-talk/id1371742254?mt=2.

"Our goal for Absolute Trust Talk is to get together with leaders to break down important topics into thought-provoking, approachable and easy-to-consume content for our community," Howe says. "It's always a little bit surprising how much people don't understand or know when it comes to preparing for their future and the future of their family. I was shocked by some of the statistics about Alzheimer's and just how widely it's impacting individuals and families across the country."

Howe adds, "Partnering with Sproul was a no brainer to spread the word not only about what the Alzheimer's Association does, but to highlight the disease itself. Alzheimer's is a rapidly growing national health crisis, and the more we all understand, the better. We recommend listening and sharing this episode, because one way or another, this disease will touch us all if it hasn't already."

Sproul is also eager to get this important information out.

"We want to educate the public on what the normal signs of aging are compared to signs that need follow-up up with a physician. These are health conditions that the greater public needs to know about," Sproul says.

About Absolute Trust Talk:

Educating at every step. Absolute Trust Talk is not your run of the mill general counsel show filled with legal jargon that doesn't resonate. Through her 20+ years of practice, Absolute Trust Counsel's managing attorney, Kirsten Howe, found herself working with clients who were confused and overwhelmed by the complexity of estate planning and saw a need to help clients with education and specific client-centered estate planning services. Now she's taking her expertise and experience to a new level; she's on a mission to bring a thought-provoking and approachable, friendly voice not only to estate planning, but to a wide variety of business and financial wellness topics.

Through a series of podcasts, Howe will connect with like-minded business professionals and work to coach and encourage listeners to make educated and informed planning decisions. Preparing for the future doesn't have to be stressful or hard, but it does have to be smart.

About Absolute Trust Counsel:

Absolute Trust Counsel is among the most highly-ranked estate planning law firms in Walnut Creek. The firm's areas of expertise include estate planning, trust administration, Medi-Cal planning, probate, retirement assets planning and special needs planning. Absolute Trust Counsel's mission is to provide easy legal solutions for every client.

Howe was admitted to the California bar in 1987 and has practiced in Walnut Creek since 1997. She earned her J.D. cum laude at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she was a member of the Thurston Society and Managing Editor of The Hastings Law Journal. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan.

She is a member of the Trusts and Estates Section of The State of California Bar; the Estate Planning and Probate Section; the Elder Law Section; and the Women's Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association. She's on the Board of Directors of the Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley and a member of the Robert G. McGrath American Inn of Court.

Learn more: https://absolutetrustcounsel.com.

About the Alzheimer's Association:

The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Learn more: https://alz.org/norcal.

Related link:

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.