Author: derek@jensenestatelaw.com

In this Season One finale, estate attorney Derek Jensen goes solo to break down Washington State's changing tax landscape and why most families remain dangerously unprotected despite the new laws. On July 1st, Washington's top estate tax rate drops from 35% to 20%. That sounds like good news. But the exemption is also pulling back,…

Derek sits down with Allison Ferris, Chief Fiduciary Officer at Northwest Trustee and Management Services, to discuss what happens after a trust is established. Allison shares lessons from more than 18 years in fiduciary work, including why she never says, “This will be an easy trust.” They discuss family cabins, unexpected assets, beneficiary emotions, co-trusteeship…

Estate planning is more than trusts and documents. It's about people, values, and the future. In this episode, Derek shares the unexpected lessons from a career of guiding families through wealth transitions. What makes a good trustee? When should you talk to your beneficiaries? And what happens when the plan looks perfect on paper but…

What happens when the inheritance arrives and nobody prepared the people receiving it? Kristin Keffeler, author of The Myth of the Silver Spoon and co-author of Wealth 3.0, joins Derek to challenge the assumption that wealth transfer is just a financial event. Drawing from her own experience as the daughter of wealth-creating parents, Kristin explores…

What if the most important part of your estate plan isn't the trust — it's the questionnaire? Derek sits down with Tom Flannagan, the estate attorney who inspired Who Gets What?, to explore his comprehensive approach to planning that starts with 14 pages of questions most attorneys never think to ask. They cover risk mitigation,…

BNY Wealth Advisors Chris Kelly and Chad Johnsrud join host Derek Jensen to address the complex realities of managing inherited wealth, discussing strategies, family values, and the intricacies of estate planning.  They talk about the importance of planning, seeking professional help, and maintaining family communication to ensure the smooth transfer of wealth across generations. Chris…

We’ve all heard the saying “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations”—but why does this happen, and how can your family break the cycle? This episode dives deep into the often-overlooked foundation of lasting wealth: your family’s unique story, values, and relationships. True wealth continuity is a challenge of human dynamics, not just financial engineering. This…

Derek Jensen sits down with Covie Edwards Pitt, author and the creative director of Balentine Partners and the founding director of Balentine's Center for Family Wellbeing. They discuss Covie’s book series 'Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise,' touching on Wealth 3.0 and how best practices in wealth advisory translate to real life.  Covie shares the important lessons…

Caleb Breakey, founder of Renowned Publishing, joins Derek Jensen for a conversation on the most powerful legacy-building tool we all possess: our story. Having guided over 200 people in transforming their lives into books, Caleb reveals why storytelling isn't just for authors; it's a sacred practice for anyone who wants their wisdom, values, and experiences…

What is the true purpose of wealth? Is it independence, security, or leaving a mark?  Financial philosopher and CEO & Founder of Sound Financial Group Paul Adams joins Derek Jensen for a profound conversation that moves way beyond the spreadsheet. They explore how to build a legacy defined not by the size of an inheritance,…