Podcast
The Practical Planner
Hosted by wealth.com · EN
Let's reimagine estate planning together. We'll explore ways for advisors to better serve existing clients and grow your business. Unlike other shows that skim the surface of easily Googled topics, hosts Thomas Kopelman and Anne Rhodes provide takeaways that advisors can use to meet your clients wherever they are in the estate planning process. What’s the difference between a will and a trust? What is an estate plan, and why do you need one? What are the biggest estate planning mistakes? The Practical Planner details everything advisors need for effective estate planning. We cover everything from the basics (defining terms like beneficiary, trustee, and family trust, breaking down estate tax 101) to the more complex (such as compliance for advisors, best practices with crypto, and charitable strategies). The Practical Planner is a production of wealth.com. Wealth.com is the #1 Estate Planning Solution built for advisors. Our mission is to modernize estate planning through innovative technology. Thomas Kopelman is the Head of Community at wealth.com, and was named as a Top 100 Advisor by Investopedia in 2022 and 2023, 2023 Young Advisor to Watch, and Top 23 Millennial Financial Advisor by Business Insider. Anne Rhodes is the Chief Legal Officer at wealth.com. Prior to her current role, she was an estate planning attorney first at McDermott Will & Emery (New York), then at Perkins Coie (San Francisco).
68episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How to Handle Digital Assets in Estate Planning
Mar 18, 202500:19:48Summary readyCrypto, online accounts, and other digital assets are now a critical part of estate planning—but many advisors and clients aren’t prepared. In this episode, Thomas Kopelman and Dave Haughton break down what advisors need to know, from crypto taxation and security risks to ensuring digital assets are accessible when needed. They cover key estate planning strategies, common mistakes, and how to help clients organize and protect their full digital footprint. Ignoring digital assets isn’t an option—advisors who understand them will be the ones clients trust most.
SummaryHow AI Is Changing Wealth Management and Estate Planning
Mar 5, 202500:28:04Summary readyAI 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.
SummaryWhat is a Financial Advisor’s True Role in Estate Planning?
Feb 18, 202500:21:25Summary readyThis week, hosts Thomas Kopelman and Dave Haughton provide their perspectives on the critical role advisors have in helping their clients with their estate plans. They already have an intimate understanding of their financial situation and future goals, so they’re uniquely positioned to help educate them on their estate plan options. They discuss how advisors can integrate estate planning into ongoing financial planning sessions, how to coordinate with estate attorneys and other third-parties and, ultimately, how they can be the go-to person to help their clients make informed decisions
Summary2025 Tax and Wealth Transfer Numbers Every Advisor Should Know
Feb 4, 202500:24:27Summary readyJoin hosts Thomas Kopelman and David Haughton as they dive into the critical financial planning numbers for 2025. Learn about updated estate tax exemptions, gifting limits, IRA and 401(k) contribution thresholds, and strategies like the Mega Backdoor Roth. Gain valuable insights into tax-advantaged accounts, including HSAs and 529 plans, and how these changes can impact your clients’ financial plans.For any questions, email us at practicalplanner@wealth.com.Follow us on Instagram at @practicalplannerpodcast to stay up-to-date with our podcast!
SummaryLive from Heckerling: Trusts, Taxes & Conference Insights
Jan 22, 202500:24:41Summary readyThis episode of The Practical Planner was recorded live at the 59th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning in Orlando, one of the premier conferences for estate planning professionals. Anne Rhodes and David Haughton attended in person and shared insights with co-host Thomas Kopelman, who joined virtually, about why estate plans often stall, the latest developments in irrevocable trusts, and the enduring value of conferences for building relationships and gaining expertise in the estate planning and wealth management fields.
SummaryWhat to Know About Deed and Property Transfers in Estate Planning
Jan 7, 202500:23:29Summary readyIn this episode of The Practical Planner, our hosts dive deep into the complexities of deed transfers. They discuss how to transfer properties into trusts, the importance of title searches and the common mistakes that can create headaches and legal issues down the line. They also touch on navigating state-specific challenges and how to guide clients considering transferring property into a trust.
SummaryThe Role of Charitable Giving in Estate Planning
Dec 17, 202400:25:00Summary readyCharitable giving can provide crucial immediate tax benefits, but it can also be a powerful tool in estate planning. Hosts Thomas Kopelman and Dave Haughton discuss the various tools available for charitable giving, including donor-advised funds (DAFs), Charitable Remainder Trusts and Charitable Lead Trusts. They emphasize how to use tools like these to optimize charitable giving for tax efficiency.They also discuss why it can be important to include children in charitable decisions and how to minimize the tax burden on heirs through strategic planning that maximizes charitable contributions.
SummaryHow Election Results Can Impact Estate Tax Strategies
Dec 4, 202400:23:15Summary readyIn 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.
SummaryCharitable Giving & The Role of DAFs with Adam Nash
Nov 19, 202400:38:52Summary readyThis week, Adam Nash, CEO and co-founder of Daffy, joins host Thomas Kopelmen for a special charity-focused episode of The Practical Planner. Giving to charities isn’t just about supporting causes you care about, it can provide immediate and long-term tax deductions.Adam and Thomas discuss how donor-advised funds (DAFs) work, how they allow you to better support your favorite charities and the financial and tax benefits of having one place. They touch on the role of automation in making charitable contributions easier, how to find the right charities to support and how to leverage the tax benefits of giving back.
SummaryHow to Leave Assets to Children & Minors
Nov 6, 202400:17:55Summary readyIt’s important to take the time to decide how to leave your assets to your children, or other minors in your life. That’s the takeaway message from hosts Thomas Kopelman and Dave Haughton in this week’s Practical Planner episode, where they focus on the reasons for structuring how children receive assets but the considerations that go into it, such as their long-term motivation and well-being.They dig into the reasons why leaving it outright may not be best, and why choosing a trust can be a valuable tool to plan for children’s financial future. The explore different options for structuring trusts, such as naming a trustee to manage distributions or staggering distributions based on age or yearly terms.Reddit thread Thomas mentions at 8:55: https://www.reddit.com/r/Asmongold/comments/1ehx7ug/a_redditor_spent_their_inheritance_on_intel_this/
Summary