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Beyond the Will: Securing Your Financial Future Through Living Trusts

Great Day Radio Podcast Season 2 Episode 81

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Ready to unlock the mystery of living trusts? DJ Mikey D and DJ Dee Marie tackle this often misunderstood topic with clarity and practical wisdom. Most people have heard about living trusts but aren't quite sure what they are or if they need one. The truth? They're not just for the wealthy—they're essential tools that provide privacy, control, and peace of mind for people at various stages of life.

The dynamic duo breaks down exactly how living trusts work: they allow you to manage and protect your assets while you're alive and ensure they pass smoothly to your loved ones after you're gone. One massive advantage? Avoiding probate—that lengthy, expensive, and completely public court process that can tie up assets for months or even years. Plus, if you become incapacitated, your trust keeps everything running without court interference.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical advice on implementation. As Mikey cleverly puts it, "A trust without assets is like a car without gas—it's not going anywhere." The hosts emphasize working with a qualified attorney rather than using DIY online solutions, keeping your trust updated through life changes, and properly naming successor trustees. They even recommend a comprehensive resource book and transition into complementary retirement planning strategies to ensure your financial future is fully protected.

Whether you're just starting to think about estate planning or looking to update existing arrangements, this episode delivers actionable insights in a conversational, accessible way. Subscribe to Great Day Radio's newsletter for exclusive content, contest announcements, and updates on their upcoming Boot Camp courses that will help you level up your financial knowledge and secure your future!

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Speaker 1:

You are listening to the best podcast from the USA to the UK on GreatDayRadiocom.

Speaker 2:

Hey everyone, welcome to another Great Day Radio's Money Talk podcast. For this episode of Trust Talk, you guessed it we are going to dive into living trust. I'm DJ Mikey D, and with me is my partner in knowledge, dj D Marie.

Speaker 3:

Hey, Mikey, Excited to dive into today's topic living trusts. It's something a lot of people hear about but might not fully understand. Before we planned out this topic, I had very little knowledge myself, so the research was very informative indeed.

Speaker 2:

Exactly so. Let's break it down A living trust is basically a legal arrangement where you can manage and protect your assets while you're alive and then pass them on smoothly when you're gone.

Speaker 3:

Right and one of the biggest perks Avoiding probate. Probate can be a real headache Long, expensive and totally public. A living trust keeps things private and efficient. Mikey, you thought of this topic to discuss? What made you want to consider a living trust?

Speaker 2:

For sure, and it's not just about after you pass, it's also about if you become incapacitated. The trust keeps things running smoothly without court interference. With that being said, I thought about that. Good for you for being proactive.

Speaker 3:

So let's talk about how it works. You create the trust, transfer your assets into it and name a successor trustee to take over if needed.

Speaker 2:

So here's the thing it's revocable, meaning you can change it anytime. Life changes and your trust can change with it.

Speaker 3:

Exactly, but remember, it's not a shield against creditors or lawsuits. For that you'd need other legal tools.

Speaker 2:

Good point. So how do you actually set one up?

Speaker 3:

It starts with figuring out your goals and what assets you want to include. That can be very time consuming when you think about it. Then you'd work with an attorney to draft the trust document Super important to get this right. Don't just DIY it online. There is this book I would highly recommend, called the Only Living Trust Book you Will Ever Need. It expands on some of the very points we mentioned with excellent resources. I will post the link to this podcast description.

Speaker 2:

Totally, and once it's set up, you've got to actually transfer your assets into the trust. A trust without assets is like a car without gas it's not going anywhere. That book is an excellent resource indeed. It is like having a journal of personal notes that helps strategize your plan and make it in action.

Speaker 3:

You and your analogies. Mikey Love that analogy. I will have to borrow that one. And don't forget to name a successor, trustee, someone you trust to handle things if you can't.

Speaker 2:

Borrow away DJD and finally keep your living trust updated. Life changes, marriages, divorces, new kids, new assets your trust should reflect that.

Speaker 3:

So, to sum up, living trusts offer control, privacy and avoid probate, but they're not a one-size-fits-all solution. Legal guidance is key.

Speaker 2:

Well said, Dee. Thanks for breaking it down with us today. If you're thinking about a living trust, talk to a pro and get it done right.

Speaker 3:

Absolutely, mikey D. All right folks. That's a wrap for today's Trust Talk. Thanks for tuning in to GreatDayRadioPodcastcom. If you have not done so already, please sign up for our newsletter to stay informed on the next upcoming podcast and contest announcements. Plus, we randomly email cool prizes just because. So what are you waiting for?

Speaker 2:

Thank you, dj D, for mentioning that. Catch you next time. Stay informed and stay protected. Peace out my party peeps.

Speaker 4:

Thank you for listening to GreatDayRadiocom. Are you ready to win some cool prizes and awesome giveaways? If so, you need to visit greatdayradiocom. Click on Join Our Contest and enter your email to get our latest newsletter that will update on the latest contest giveaways and new podcast shows. Also, with our successful podcast, many have asked if we would offer courses on many of the topics we discuss. Stay locked in, as we welcome our all-new Great Day Radio Boot Camp. We'll be locked in, as we welcome our all-new Great Day Radio Boot Camp. In it, you will have access to lessons that will help you achieve goals such as learning how to make a living as a mobile DJ, learning how to start and monetize your very own podcast show. These are just a couple of the topics, so stay connected and get ready to level up for self-improvement. Again, please visit greatdayradiocom and sign up for our newsletter.

Speaker 1:

Get ready for our next episode. You are tuned in to Great Day Radio with DJ Mikey D.

Speaker 2:

Welcome back everyone. On our last episode, we discussed living trust. To complement that discussion, we will explore and talk about getting you retirement ready. I'm DJ Mikey D, and with me is the one and only DJ D Marie.

Speaker 3:

What's up, fam? So excited to talk about something we all need but don't always want to think about Retirement planning.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. And let's be real Retirement planning isn't just for the old heads. If you're in your 20s or 30s, this is your golden time to start.

Speaker 3:

Preach Compound interest is like that slow burn remix it doesn't slap right away, but give it time and it'll have your future self. Thanking you.

Speaker 2:

Haha, love that analogy. So let's break it down. First step how much do you think you'll need annually when you retire? Most advisors say 70 to 80 percent of your pre-retirement income.

Speaker 3:

And don't forget inflation and health care costs, those sneaky expenses that creep up like unexpected ad libs in a track.

Speaker 2:

For real. Now how do you get there? Diversify your investments stocks, bonds, maybe some real estate and, as you get older, shift to more conservative options.

Speaker 3:

And always, always, max out employer matches in your 401k. That's free money y'all like a bonus track on your favorite album.

Speaker 2:

Now here's something people sleep on beneficiary designations. This is huge because it overrides your will who you picking to inherit your retirement stash?

Speaker 3:

And you got to update it after big life events Marriage, divorce, new babies Otherwise your ex might end up with your IRA, and nobody wants that drama.

Speaker 2:

Facts. Also, if you're naming kids, you might need a trust or guardian and check state laws. Some say your spouse automatically gets half, no matter what oh and taxes.

Speaker 3:

Naming a trust as a beneficiary can backfire with higher taxes. Always consult a pro. Don't let Uncle Sam take more than his share.

Speaker 2:

That bastard. So recap start early, diversify, max out employer plans and don't forget those beneficiary forms. Your future self will throw you a thank you party.

Speaker 3:

And your family will too. Peace of mind is the ultimate VIP pass. All right, that's our time. Keep saving, keep planning and we'll catch you next episode.

Speaker 2:

Stay retirement ready, fam. Dj Mikey D signing off Peace out.

Speaker 3:

And DJ DeMarie is out of here. If you have a comment you would like to add to the conversation, visit greatdayradiopodcastcom and leave a 30-second message or two.

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Speaker 1:

We are in the mix with a continuous party mix on GreatDayRadiocom.