Legacy Maker: Protect Your Family's Financial Future & Ensure Your Legacy Endures | Asset Protection

Kristina R. Hess, Esq.| Estate Planning, Trusts, Taxes, Generational Wealth
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Legacy Maker by KR Hess Law guides high-income families and business owners who want more than wealth—they want lasting impact.  Episodes simplify complex planning so you can breathe easier knowing your family, values, & assets are protected for generations.  You’ll learn how to avoid loss through taxes, divorce, conflict, & poor succession—so what you’ve built endures for generations. Topics include: estate planning, multi-generational trusts, charitable strategy, tax avoidance, prenuptial planning, & preparing heirs for successful wealth transfer.   Get started at legacymakerpodcast.com

Episodes

  1. 6: Protect Your Retirement: The Beneficiary Mistake Nobody Talks About

    30 MAR

    6: Protect Your Retirement: The Beneficiary Mistake Nobody Talks About

    Estate Planning for Retirement Accounts: Key Strategies and Mistakes to AvoidIn this episode, Kristina Hess, an experienced estate planning attorney, breaks down how to effectively manage retirement accounts during estate planning. She covers important updates like the SECURE Act, beneficiary designations, and tax implications, helping listeners safeguard their assets and maximize legacy.Main topics include:- Understanding What Constitutes a Retirement Account (IRA, 401k, Roth, etc.)- The 10-Year Rule and its Impact on Heirs Post-2020 SECURE Act- Common Mistakes in Beneficiary Designations and How to Avoid Them- Why Not to Use Minors as Beneficiaries on Retirement Accounts- Legal and Tax Considerations When Using Trusts as Beneficiaries- Strategies for Beneficiaries to Minimize Taxes and Maximize Growth- Best Practices for Updating Beneficiaries After Major Life Events- Use of Charitable Trusts and Giving Strategies for Charitable Legacies- How to Coordinate Estate Planning Documents with Retirement AccountsTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to estate planning for retirement accounts00:28 - Disclaimer and scope of discussion00:56 - Defining various types of retirement accounts01:24 - Background on the 1970s government pension shift01:53 - How to legally assign beneficiaries to retirement accounts02:23 - Common misconception: Wills versus beneficiary designations02:50 - Importance of updating beneficiaries after life changes03:19 - What happens if beneficiaries aren’t updated03:48 - The issue with minor beneficiaries and inheritance laws04:18 - Case example of minors inheriting retirement accounts04:48 - Effects of the SECURE Act on inherited retirement accounts05:19 - Tax implications of lump-sum versus stretch distributions06:17 - Benefits of the stretch provision prior to the SECURE Act06:45 - Spousal rollover benefits for spouses inheriting IRAs07:13 - New 10-year rule for non-spousal beneficiaries07:42 - Distributions and tax implications under the 10-year rule08:11 - Why lump-sums are generally disadvantageous08:41 - The importance of proper trust drafting as beneficiary09:13 - How trusts should be structured as designated beneficiaries09:42 - Risks of unqualified trust beneficiaries leading to higher taxes10:11 - Ensuring trusts contain the correct language for retirement benefits10:38 - The impact of poorly drafted trusts on inheritance outcomes11:07 - When to consider trusts versus direct beneficiary designations11:36 - Combining beneficiary designations with charitable planning12:06 - Using charitable remainder trusts for tax-efficient legacy planning12:34 - Strategies for charitable giving directly from accounts13:03 - Tax considerations for charitable donations13:33 - Summary of best practices for estate planning with retirement accounts14:02 - Final advice on beneficiary designations, trusts, and charitable giving14:29 - Closing remarks and encouragement to be a legacy maker🎧 Listen and subscribe to the Legacy Maker Podcast on all major podcast platforms.Disclaimer:General educational information only; legal and tax outcomes are fact-dependent.

    16 min
  2. 5: How to Build a Charitable Legacy Without Breaking Your Estate Plan

    23 MAR

    5: How to Build a Charitable Legacy Without Breaking Your Estate Plan

    Charitable giving can be one of the most meaningful parts of an estate plan...if the vehicle matches the family’s goals. In this episode of Legacy Maker, Kristina Hess, Esq. breaks down three of the most common charitable planning tools: donor-advised funds (DAFs), private foundations, and charitable trusts (CRTs and CLTs). The discussion is intentionally high-level and focuses on the key decision drivers: control, complexity, cost, privacy, family involvement, and tax/estate planning alignment.Key Topics:- The importance of generosity for prosperity of soul, mind, and spirit- Why giving feels good and its positive chemical and spiritual effects- Four main strategies for charitable giving: donor advised funds, private foundations, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable lead trusts- How highly appreciated assets, like real estate and stocks, can optimize giving and reduce taxes- Detailed explanation of donor advised funds and their simplicity and flexibility- Setting up private family foundations for long-term family legacy and governance- Using charitable remainder trusts to avoid capital gains tax on highly appreciated assets, with case study examples- The benefits of charitable lead trusts during high-income years, including tax deductions and asset growth- Combining strategies, including pairing private foundations with trusts and using life insurance to enhance legacy planningTimestamps: 00:00 - Intro to charitable giving and its life-affirming benefits02:00 - Why generosity is key to prosperity and building wealth03:00 - How to determine what and how to give effectively04:00 - Overview of the four charitable giving strategies04:50 - Donor advised fund: simplicity, flexibility, and tax benefits06:45 - Pros and cons of donor advised funds and control aspects07:13 - Setting up a private charitable foundation for family legacy08:43 - Compliance and operational considerations for foundations09:40 - Charitable trusts: the charitable remainder trust explained10:37 - Tax advantages of charitable remainder trusts with real estate case example12:06 - The process of transferring assets into a charitable trust and avoiding capital gains13:24 - How charitable trusts provide income for life and benefit charity17:24 - Charitable lead trusts: how they work and when to use them18:22 - High-income strategies with charitable lead trusts20:45 - Potential for asset growth and legacy building with lead trusts21:44 - Why generosity improves your soul and builds a meaningful legacy22:42 - Selecting assets to give: stocks, bonds, real estate, crypto23:12 - Combining strategies for maximum impact, including pairing private foundations with trusts24:11 - Enhancing legacy plans with life insurance24:40 - Final thoughts on how charitable giving can make a difference in the world🎧 Listen and subscribe to the Legacy Maker Podcast on all major podcast platforms.Disclaimer:General educational information only; legal and tax outcomes are fact-dependent.

    26 min
  3. 4: Why Owning Real Estate in a Corporation Is Often a Mistake

    2 MAR

    4: Why Owning Real Estate in a Corporation Is Often a Mistake

    Why Owning Real Estate in a Corporation Is Often a Mistake In this episode, attorney Kristina Hess explains why putting real estate in a corporation like an S-Corp or C-Corp can lead to significant tax, legal, and legacy issues. She offers practical alternatives for real estate investors to maximize asset protection, tax efficiency, and ease of transfer. Key Topics: -Why owning real estate in an S-Corp or C-Corp creates tax liabilities, including double taxation and depreciation recapture -The risks of corporate ownership for liability protection and the importance of proper management and formalities -How corporate ownership complicates estate transfer and lacks step-up basis on death, leading to higher capital gains taxes -The advantages of LLCs for real estate ownership, including flexibility, asset segregation, and protection -The best practices for layering LLCs and trusts, especially in states like Wyoming, to enhance privacy and asset protection -Why real estate in California requires careful structuring, such as using Wyoming holding companies -The importance of matching ownership structure with your investment and legacy goals Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Why real estate in corporations can be problematic 00:45 - Common misconceptions about asset protection in corporations 01:16 - The downsides of corporate ownership: Taxes, exit, and legacy issues 01:46 - How double taxation works with C-Corps and transfer tax issues with S-Corps 02:13 - The impact of depreciation recapture on property transfer 03:11 - Why transferring property out of an S-Corp doesn’t solve the problem 03:39 - Corporate ownership as a mismatch for passive real estate investments 04:05 - Limitations of corporations for adding partners and managing cash flows 05:03 - Liability protection isn't guaranteed; importance of formalities and insurance 05:59 - Estate and legacy complications: No step-up in basis for corporations 06:25 - Capital gains implications when inheriting appreciated property 07:23 - The recommended alternative: LLCs and how they address these issues 07:52 - Benefits of LLCs: Operating agreements, management flexibility, segregation of risks 08:22 - Details on structuring LLCs, including series LLCs and holding companies 09:21 - Why Wyoming is a top jurisdiction for LLC asset protection 10:20 - Strategies for layering LLCs and trusts, especially for California residents 11:16 - The importance of matching ownership strategy to your specific circumstances 11:45 - Legal caveats: "It depends" and jurisdiction-specific advice 12:14 - Resources for investors: Free guide on the best real estate ownership structures 12:43 - Final thoughts: Ownership structure as a legacy and wealth-building decision 🎧 Listen and subscribe to the Legacy Maker Podcast on all major podcast platforms.

    14 min
  4. 3: Don’t Let These Trust Mistakes Destroy Your Legacy

    23 FEB

    3: Don’t Let These Trust Mistakes Destroy Your Legacy

    Are you interested in ensuring that your wealth lasts beyond your lifetime? In this episode, estate planning attorney Kristina Hess breaks down how multi-generational trusts can help preserve wealth, protect assets, and instill values across generations.Key topics:-What is a multi-generational trust and why it matters-Common mistakes that cause trust failure (control, distribution standards, flexibility)-Jurisdiction considerations for dynasty trusts (Nevada, Wyoming vs. California)-Structuring trusts with trustees, boards, and trust protectors-The importance of philosophical guidance and education for beneficiaries-Using life insurance, opportunity funds, and the family bank concept-Flexibility mechanisms: trust decanting, beneficiary powers of appointment-Building a legacy that endures through wisdom, values, and planningTimestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to multi-generational trusts and wealth preservation 00:44 - What is a multi-gen trust and its key questions 1:13 - Case study: The Smith family's inheritance pitfalls 2:11 - The importance of estate exemption and tax strategies 3:10 - Protecting assets and avoiding family disputes 4:10 - Common trust mistakes: control, distribution, and longevity 5:08 - Trustee selection and managing sibling conflicts 6:34 - Setting clear distribution standards for beneficiaries 7:04 - Flexibility in trust terms and legal considerations 8:00 - Jurisdiction choices for long-lasting trusts (Nevada, Wyoming) 8:56 - Trustee options: professional, family, or directive trusts 9:25 - Creating distribution guidelines and guiding beneficiaries 10:22 - Role of trustees, boards, and discretionary guidelines 11:19 - Training beneficiaries and setting expectations 12:16 - Can a trust fix dysfunction? Education and guardrails 13:14 - Incorporating trust protectors and flexibility mechanisms 14:12 - Powers of appointment and beneficiary-specific trusts 15:09 - Case example: The Patel family’s comprehensive wealth plan 16:37 - The dynasty trust concept and the golden goose analogy 17:31 - Legacy set-asides and ensuring wealth longevity 18:00 - Educating next generations on values and stewardship 18:59 - Building flexibility to adapt to economic and legal changes 19:27 - Essential components: trustees, jurisdiction, philosophy, and trust protectors 20:25 - Actionable steps: asset review, control, and drafting your legacy plan 21:20 - Final thoughts: Passion for creating enduring wealth and legacyIn this episode, we discuss the complexities of `estate planning` and the limitations of legal documents. While a `revocable living trust` can provide `asset protection`, it cannot fix all `trust issues` within a family.We explore how to implement guardrails and discretionary guidelines for `trust management` to address potential beneficiary challenges like addiction, ensuring a more secure future.🎧 Listen and subscribe to the Legacy Maker Podcast on all major podcast platforms.

    23 min
  5. 2: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Explained: How It Changes Legacy Planning in 2026

    16 FEB

    2: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Explained: How It Changes Legacy Planning in 2026

    In this episode, estate planning attorney Kristina Hess breaks down the recent legal updates from the OBBA bill, focusing on how these changes impact estate taxes, gift strategies, and enhanced vehicles for wealth transfer. Whether you're a business owner, parent, grandparent, or simply planning your legacy, this episode provides actionable insights to optimize your estate planning before 2026.Key Topics:- Permanent estate and gift tax exemption increases to $15 million per person in 2026- How portability allows surviving spouses to 'save' unused exemptions (file Form 706)- The importance of the step-up in basis and its current preservation- New accounts for children (Trump accounts) and adjustments to 529 plans for education funding- Charitable giving deductions expanded to non-itemizers and current limits100% bonus depreciation on property acquired after January 19, 2025, including cost segregation benefits- Changes to qualified small business stock (Section 1202) with increased exclusion limits- Practical estate planning checklist for 2026: valuing estate, restructuring trusts, beneficiary updates, and life insurance considerationsMain Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the 2025 legal update & relevance 01:01 - Estate and gift tax exemption changes 03:08 - Major details: estate tax rate and basis step-up 05:11 - New accounts for children & 529 plans 09:54 - Charitable giving for non-itemizers 11:48 - Bonus depreciation & asset acquisition strategies 14:44 - Qualified small business stock exclusion 15:39 - Practical steps for estate planning 19:54 - Final thoughts: proactive estate planning for lasting legacy🎧 Listen and subscribe to the Legacy Maker Podcast on all major podcast platforms.Follow @legacymakerpodcast on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe on YouTube for updates, clips, and new episodes.

    21 min
  6. 1: From Estate Planning to Legacy Foundations—What Every Family Needs to Know

    9 FEB

    1: From Estate Planning to Legacy Foundations—What Every Family Needs to Know

    In the first episode of the Legacy Maker Podcast, Kristina Hess shares why legacy planning is deeply personal—not just professional. Through her own story and the loss of her father, a man whose heart was set on legacy, Kristina reveals the lessons that shaped her passion for helping families plan with intention and foresight. This episode explores the critical difference between estate planning and legacy planning, and why protecting assets alone is not enough if you want what you’ve built to truly endure. Kristina walks you through how to prepare for your future in a way that safeguards your wealth, strengthens your family, and honors the values you want passed on. This conversation lays the foundation for everything to come—because legacy isn’t accidental, it’s intentional. Takeaways: - Estate planning is about assets; legacy planning is about influence. - Implementation of estate plans is crucial to avoid probate. - Intangible legacies often hold more value than material wealth. - Mindsets for legacy making include valuing time and relationships. - Legacy is built with intention and purpose, not left to chance. - Legal planning is essential for preserving wealth across generations. - Charitable legacies can enhance family values and involvement. - Personal stories can shape the legacy we leave behind. - Teaching future generations about stewardship is vital. - Investing in relationships is key to a meaningful legacy. Chapters: 00:00 Understanding Estate vs. Legacy Planning 03:53 The Five Foundational Legal Documents 06:47 Building a Charitable Legacy 09:36 The Importance of Intangible Legacies 12:26 Mindsets for Becoming a Legacy Maker 18:34 Intentionality in Legacy Building 24:26 The Role of Legal Planning in Legacy 28:14 The Passion for Legacy Planning 🎧 Listen and subscribe to the Legacy Maker Podcast on all major podcast platforms. Follow @legacymakerpodcast on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe on YouTube for updates, clips, and new episodes.

    31 min
  7. Trailer: What You Will Find Here and Legacy Maker Backstory

    25 JAN

    Trailer: What You Will Find Here and Legacy Maker Backstory

    As someone who has helped hundred of families preserve their generational wealth and family's futures, I felt it necessary to pull the curtain back on some hard learned lessons that are essential to protect your legacy. Click play to start your legacy making journey...

    3 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

Legacy Maker by KR Hess Law guides high-income families and business owners who want more than wealth—they want lasting impact.  Episodes simplify complex planning so you can breathe easier knowing your family, values, & assets are protected for generations.  You’ll learn how to avoid loss through taxes, divorce, conflict, & poor succession—so what you’ve built endures for generations. Topics include: estate planning, multi-generational trusts, charitable strategy, tax avoidance, prenuptial planning, & preparing heirs for successful wealth transfer.   Get started at legacymakerpodcast.com

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