The Practical Planner

Thomas Kopelman, Anne Rhodes, and Lisa Weigel explore the critical role financial advisors play when a client loses a spouse. They break the advisor-widow relationship into three phases—preparation while both spouses are alive, the frenetic first year of estate administration, and long-term re-engagement—and discuss what advisors need to get right at each stage. From navigating marital trust structures and updating beneficiary designations to managing tax elections, filing deadlines, and step-up in basis opportunities, this episode covers the practical and emotional complexities of guiding clients through one of life's most difficult transitions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gifting can be a great strategy to transfer wealth but the tax implications and exemptions are often misunderstood. Tax-free strategies for gifting to family or loved ones may actually be broader than most think. Hosts Thomas Kopelman and David Haughton discuss both the ways someone can gift as well as strategies for minimizing potential taxes on those gifts. For any questions, email us at practicalplanner@wealth.com. Follow us on Instagram at @practicalplannerpodcast to stay up-to-date with our podcast!

Curious when it makes sense to have a Marital Trust? Hosts Anne Rhodes, Chief Legal Officer at [wealth.com](http://wealth.com) and Thomas Kopelman, Head of Community at wealth.com and Co-founder of AllStreet Wealth discuss the three main reasons to set one up, including: - Concerns over how your spouse may use your assets - Tax planning purposes, including the the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax - Asset protection They dig into each reason and get into specifics of situations when having a Marital Trust can be beneficial.