The Confident Retirement

Latest Episodes:

Ep 009: A Zealous Legal Advocate during One of Life's Toughest Times Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

Maria Barlow

The Confident Retirement Podcast with Brett Kris Flammang and Mark Picchi Episode 009 Maria Barlow

Attorney Maria Barlow is the principal attorney at The Barlow Law Firm LLC and the founder of The Barlow Family Law Clinic N.F.P. She is recognized as Super Lawyer Rising Star. She practices in the area of Family Law, Estate Planning and Conceal Carry Self-Defense.

Born on the south side of Chicago to a tile-setter father and home-maker mother, Maria prides herself in being a true Chicago native. She is the youngest of 11 children, with 2 older sisters, and 8 older brothers, Maria was first to attend college in her family. Maria attended Kenwood Academy High School, and also attended Northeastern Illinois University where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Studies. Maria went on to attend The John Marshall Law School where she graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree.

Maria prides herself on being a help to others, she mentors students from grade school through post college. She also sat on the Alumni Board of Directors for the John Marshall Law School, the Chicago Legal Clinic auxiliary board. Currently, Maria is a member of the Board for Minority Legal Education Resources Inc (MLER) and is appointed to the State of Illinois Child Support Advisory Council and the University of Illinois Extension Council Board of Directors. A mother, passionate advocate, leader, and entrepreneur.

Listen to this dynamic The Confident Retirement Podcast episode with Maria Barlow as she shares to us how important having a community- based firm is and showing compassion, care and passion in the types of law that she is practicing, and in life.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

-Growing up with eight older brothers, Maria shares how being an African-American led her to want to become a lawyer.

-“Invest in the stock market, Partner up, Have Fun.” These are some of the things Maria hoped that she knew back then, and an advice for us too.

-How did COVID affect the industry and how were they prepared for it?

-Maria tells the reason she got into Family Law, and what she loved most about this area of practice.

-Maria breaks the misconception that attorneys are all rich, and that they know the answer to everything.

-Get to know more about Maria, what she loves doing outside of work, where she volunteers, her biggest achievements and her experiences that could teach us valuable things just like how it taught her too.

Connect with Maria Barlow / The Barlow Law Firm LLC:

Guest Contact Info: (773) 614-7774

Website: https://www.attorneymariabarlow.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MariaBarlowLaw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariabarlow_thebarlowlawfirm/

Twitter: @MariaBarlowLaw

Connect with Kris and Mark

Website: https://www.lpfadvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopher-flammang-lpfadv/

Twitter: @kflammang

#MarkPicchi

Highlights:

[06:54-07:04]

“…I think the reason why is because one of the things that I've learned in practicing Family Law, is if you don't have the right attitude for it, you'll destroy families for generations to come.”

[12:08-12:16]

“So, you guys can live apart, not loving each other, but love the thing you have in common and what's best for and work towards that in two separate houses.”

[29:05-29:42]

“So, it becomes difficult to find somebody that is going to be willing to have that passion and that love for the clients who will do the same work and do a good job for my clients as I do. That's very difficult to find someone that does that. I mean, people, not everybody wants to work hard, and not everybody is caring and compassionate. You must have that in this area of law. People are in the worst place in their life. They are in shambles. Their lives are upside down. So, you have to have compassion. You have to have care for them.”

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Ep 008: What are Insurance Blind Spots and Advancing Female Professionals Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

Taylor Collins

– The Confident Retirement Podcast with Brett Kris Flammang and Mark Picchi Episode 008 Taylor Collins

Taylor Collins is the owner of Professional Benefits Incorporated. Taylor was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. After obtaining a Risk Management/Insurance degree from Florida State University including working at Lloyds of London in London, she returned home to join the family business. In 2019, she purchased this 50-year-old independent insurance agency from her father, Jim Tollerton. The business focuses on providing value in the executive compensation and benefit space across the country with their second largest clientele base in Seattle, WA. Her firm strives to offer creative benefit solutions to help recruit, retain, and reward executives.

Taylor currently serves as the NAIFA State of Florida PAC Chair and Sarasota Junior League Public Affairs committee among many other organizations.

Her greatest accomplishment is utilizing funds from the local NAIFA chapter to endow a scholarship for a woman studying for her Associates Degree in Risk Management/insurance at State College of Florida. It’s always nice to leave a legacy. She also supports ongoing efforts for women in the financial services and insurance industry.

Listen to this dynamic The Confident Retirement Podcast episode with Taylor Collins to know more about long-term care, disability and life health insurance and be educated on its importance and benefits for individuals and small groups. Get to know more of how time stood still with Taylor as she gave us some valuable learnings from her personal and professional experience.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

The story of how Taylor acquired her father’s business, the positives and the challenges of it and why she chose the insurance industry,

What is a simple way that Taylor describes insurance and how she loved having conversations on what is important for an individual?

-Taylor expands on the misconception that life insurance is “EXPENSIVE”.

-Taylor shares about the gap and blind spots in the insurance industry.

-What’s the importance of having insurance in having a confident retirement in the future?

-Taylor tells about her experience opening up a bankbook as her first’s memory with money.

-How she is helping in bringing up the women and minority group to get into the path of insurance as a career.

Connect with Taylor Collins/Professional Benefits:

Guest Contact Info: (941) 957-1310

Website: https://professionalbenefits.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-collins-cebs-clu-2949685/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProfessionalBenefits

Connect with Kris and Mark

Website: https://www.lpfadvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopher-flammang-lpfadv/

Twitter: @kflammang

#MarkPicchi

Highlights:

[01:24-01.33]

I thought also to try insurance, and I ended up loving it. It came easy to me. It was powerful. It was important. As I learned more about it, I got more interested in it.

[07:45-08:00]

Life insurance, disability insurance has been around for over 100 years. Very old school in some senses. But in a lot of ways, we stand the test of time. We show up when the unthinkable happens, still to the day.

[28:38-28:57]

I've always admired teachers, which actually plays a lot into what we do in general. I mean, meeting our clients and helping them understand our world is something we do constantly. I'm doing it now just on a different level. I would love to help support the next generation as well.

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Ep 07: Why it's Important your Real Estate Agent thinks like a Doctor Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

Ron Pepka

The Confident Retirement Podcast with Brett Kris Flammang and Mark Picchi Episode 007 Ron Pepka

Ron Pepka is a broker and owner of Keller Williams On The Water and the Lead Listing Specialist in Team Pepka. Ron can be described as the “Rock” that every successful business needs. With 24 years of local Real Estate experience, Ron has acquired a can-do attitude and a set of finely tuned skills known to get homes sold for the most money with the least amount of inconvenience.

In 1996 Ron and Cathy Pepka took a leap of faith and re-located from Las Vegas Nevada to Anna Maria Florida. Ron set a blazing trail to become Top Producing agent at Century 21, then in his 2nd year moved to the Re/Max, which was at the time the largest office in the area. This is when the magic happened, Cathy chose to become an agent as well and Team Pepka was born!

For 5 years Team Pepka broke the record books in sales and achieved the #1 status in the office as well as the county. In 2004, Ron went to passed the Real Estate Brokers Exam and was awarded a Keller Williams franchise in New Tampa. In 2006, territory in the Manatee area opened up. Ron & Cathy proceeded to open their 2nd franchise, Keller Williams On The Water, currently having 105 agents and continued to grow Team Pepka. In 2012 the Manatee office grew into one more Keller Williams franchise in Sarasota, currently with 215 agents!

25 years ago, Ron planted a seed of hope for his new business, and now Team Pepka and his Keller Williams franchises have blossomed into one of Areas highest ranked Real Estate teams and Brokerages.

When Ron is out of the office, he enjoys competing on the beautiful Florida golf courses as well as scuba diving and other family activities.

Listen to this dynamic The Confident Retirement Podcast episode with Ron Pepka to know more about Real Estate and the advantages of having not just a knowledgeable professional, but someone who has the best interest in mind to help. Ron did not just share real estate wisdom but he shared some valuable lessons in life too.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

-How did Ron shifted from Las Vegas to Florida, and how did he choose Real Estate as his career path?

-Something that Ron wished he knew back when he was starting is that he would have invested a lot more. Why is it and what can we all learn from that?

-Why is it important to have someone that represents you, and not just the transaction?

-Ron shares what he enjoys with the business and why he liked having 10s in the survey.

-Ron explains the misconception that real agents are million-dollar agents!

-Visualizing the blind spots that people miss when they don’t involve any professionals or an agent, and what’s a recent client experience that satisfied both ends – the client and his business.

-Ron shares how his mom bought him a motorcycle and having that as a valuable learning with money and a failed money-making decision that he has seen in real estate investing.

-What is Ron’s biggest achievement and a dream job that he wanted to do if he is not in the real estate industry?

Connect with Ron Pepka/Team Pepka:

Guest Contact Info: (941) 708-3455

Website: https://teampepka.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehargrove/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teampepka

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teampepka/

Twitter: @TeamPepka

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/teampepka

Connect with Kris and Mark

Website: https://www.lpfadvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopher-flammang-lpfadv/

Twitter: @kflammang

#MarkPicchi

Highlights:

[05:00-05:12]

What we always say is it doesn't matter if we help you now, or we help you later, we just want to help you. If this is not the right time to buy or sell, we'll help you later when you're ready.

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Ep 06: Good People, Good Estate Planning Outcomes and Solutions Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

Jamie Hargrove

The Confident Retirement Podcast with Brett Kris Flammang and Mark Picchi Episode 006 Jamie Hargrove

Jamie Hargrove, an Attorney and CPA, is the CEO and co-founder of NetLaw Group and a founding partner of the Estate, Trust, & Tax law firm of Hargrove Firm LLP. His firm has had as many as 30 estate & trust attorneys working out of offices in over 20 states across the country.

Jamie was most recently the chair of the Estate & Trust practice for the 160-Attorney law firm, Stoll Keenon Ogden, PLLC. Before that, he was a partner with the 500+ attorney firm of Frost Brown Todd. He practiced as a CPA after law school and then became a tax attorney in 1985. In 1990, he began to practice only in the area of Estate, Trusts, Business Succession Planning and Charitable Planning.

Listen to this dynamic The Confident Retirement Podcast episode with Jamie Hargrove and know more about business succession, estate planning and asset protection, and how he wants to move forward with the DIY plans that also involves human works in it.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

Jamie takes us on a ride to his past and what led him to start opening up his practice, and why did he focus on estate planning?

-What are his learning experiences that he’d like to share to the audience?

-Jamie shares why business succession plan is not largely existing and what is the goal of why it should be done?

-Jamie gives clarity on the difference of asset protection and estate planning.

-What does he like best in his areas of practice and what is he most excited about the business aspect of things?

-Jamie shares the misconception that when you do asset protection and estate planning, you lose full access and control on your assets.

-Jamie talks about where money impacts most and his first experience handling it.

Get to know more about Jamie’s personal achievement, dream job and what he enjoys outside of work.

Get to hear about the DIY plans they are doing in NetLaw Group and why he wanted to do it.

Connect with Jamie Hargrove/ Hargrove Law Firm:

Website: https://hargrovefirm.com/

NetLaw Website: https://www.netlawgroup.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehargrove/

Twitter: @jamiehargrove

Connect with Kris and Mark

Website: https://www.lpfadvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopher-flammang-lpfadv/

Twitter: @kflammang

#MarkPicchi

Highlights:

[06:33-06:48]

“Unless people know that you're there and know what you do and your podcast, Kris is a good example of that. It's just getting the message out there letting people know what you do, and helping to educate them so that you can be a resource for them.”

[25:18-25:39]

“I think my first experience was really, every decision we make is a decision about an allocation of time. So, in our businesses, again, as we make decisions, we're making a decision relative to do a new allocation of time, or this, we're even freeing up time, or we're causing more need for more time.”

[27:01-27:23]

I do think business and life is a battle of a lot of decisions, and we can only squeeze so much into it. So, we do have to decide what is our priorities, both with our world outside of work, and certainly in work? And make sure there is that balance that gets really what we want to do.

[39:17-39:59]

“The problem in the legal industry is we think everybody wants to talk to a lawyer. No, they want their legal questions answered. But what's interesting is, most of their questions aren't legal questions, right? What we're doing is we're parceling out and let's strip out the questions that really aren't legal questions. Let's let non-lawyers answer those, and use systems and processes and technology and video and all the things that you're employing in your own practice to help address those and then when we need the lawyer, let's let the lawyer be engaged. So, it's a very different model and pretty excited that we're able to kind of be, I think on the bit on the cutting edge of it.”

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Ep 05: Asset Protection, Selling a Business and How Trusts Work Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

Blake Harris

The Confident Retirement Podcast with Brett Kris Flammang and Mark Picchi Episode 005 Blake Harris

Blake Harris is the managing attorney at Blake Harris Law, where he assists clients with wills and trusts, asset protection, and probate. Blake has been a member in good standing of the Colorado Bar since 2013 and the Florida Bar since 2010. He is an active member of Wealth Council, Elder Council, the Denver Bar Association, and the Colorado Bar Association. Blake graduated in 2007 with a degree in finance from the University of Florida and received a juris doctorate in 2010 from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, a top-tier law school.

Blake founded Mile High Estate Planning because he is passionate about helping families protect their wealth and pass it to the next generation. Before Mile High Estate Planning, Blake worked for one of the nation’s largest wealth management firms, where he helped high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients plan for the transfer of their assets. Over the course of his career, Blake has worked for, co-counseled with, and learned from several of the nation’s top estate planning and asset protection attorneys.

In addition to his active practice, Blake also strives to share his in-depth knowledge to help other professionals advance in their careers. In Colorado and across the nation, Blake has given numerous presentations and continuing education lectures on asset protection, estate planning, and probate to CPAs, financial advisors, and other attorneys. Blake has also been quoted in state-wide and national publications, such as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, The Denver Post, and Market Watch, and he has been named a "Rising Star" for 2020 and 2021 by Super Lawyers Magazine. He also wrote a book called The Ultimate Guide to Estate Planning & Asset Protection.

Blake is currently investing in Cryptocurrency and outside of work, Blake enjoys traveling and spending time with family.

Listen to this dynamic The Confident Retirement Podcast episode with Blake Harris and know more about estate planning, asset protection and selling a business, and how important it is to be surrounded with a team that you enjoy working with, while giving valuable experiences for the clients as well.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

Coming from a family of attorneys, how did Blake start his practice and his firm Mile High Estate Planning? And, if he is not an attorney, what would Blake be, and why?

-What would be his advice to the young Blake and to other people who wants to start their businesses or firms as well?

-How Blake uses pain points and client’s concern to explain the importance of a comprehensive estate and asset protection plan.

-Blake’s example of the misconception that asset protection is just for the super wealthy people. What are other blind spots too that people need to know about estate planning and asset protection?

-Blake shares a recent satisfying client experience and how he helped secure his wealth?

-How was Blake’s experience with money growing up, what he sees as its positive and negative impacts, and what was his first memory of it?

-What does Blake like about the business, and what does he consider as his great achievements, personally and professionally?

-How does Blake stay informed and what changes are we expecting in the estate planning world moving forward?

Connect with Blake Harris / Mile High Estate Planning:

Website: milehighestateplanning.com

Phone number: (833) ASK-BLAKE

Email: blake@milehighestateplanning.com

Connect with Kris and Mark

Website: https://www.lpfadvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopher-flammang-lpfadv/

Twitter: @kflammang

#MarkPicchi

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Ep 04: Mediation Demystified and Resolving Conflict now May 27, 2021

Show notes

Christina Florand

The Confident Retirement Podcast with Brett Kris Flammang and Mark Picchi Episode 004 Christina Florand

Christina Florand is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and Civil Court Mediator and a Qualified Arbitrator. She has an educational background and degree in Psychology and Criminology. She studied at the University of South Florida and has been a Mediator for 11 years. She added Arbitration services to her practice 3 years ago. Prior to that, she had experience as owner and operator of a small business.

She previously facilitated a program called C.M.A.C.S. that was taught to children requiring guidance in the realms of conflict management and avoidance, as well as coping skills that can be used throughout their lifetime. She also co-developed and facilitates a workshop for the last four years at the Women's Resource Center called: You are Worthy! Learning to Raise Your Own Bar!

She enjoys traveling the world, yoga, and being the proud parent of a fourteen-year-old daughter. All of these experiences as well as building houses, businesses, and going through a divorce personally, have given her valuable experience in managing and relating to a variety of mediation cases.

Listen to this dynamic The Confident Retirement Podcast episode with Christina Florand to know more of how mediation and conflict resolution can help with you at some point in your life.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

-Christina shares to us how she got to the mediation field, including what she loved to do when she was a kid.

-Christina explains what meditation is and what are the misconceptions in her industry.

-What does she enjoy about mediating?

-Christina shares what is being overlooked in mediating and a really satisfying moment for her in mediation.

-What is Christina’s first memory of money and what she passed on to her daughter? And any negative or positive effects of money in terms of disputes that she encountered?

-What would be Christina’s dream job if not mediation and what would she be splurging on if given the opportunity?

-What’s Christina’s biggest achievement for her, and how she facilitated the programs she worked on?

-What are Christina’s challenges in the business and how she stays up to date with the news.

Connect with Christina Florand:

Website: https://www.florandmediation.com/

Phone number: (941) 228-8150

Email: chris@florandmediation.com

Connect with Kris and Mark

Website: https://www.lpfadvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopher-flammang-lpfadv/

Twitter: @kflammang

#MarkPicchi

Highlights:

[06:55-07:21]

“What I really love, not just about this profession, but just life in general, is helping people to empower themselves to make their choices. So, when we put things into somebody else's hands, sometimes we regret how that how that came out. So, I feel like as a mediator, I can really help people to stay in control of the outcome.”

[20:57-21:33]

“Well, money gives us a sense of security, but our relationships do first and foremost. I think when an important relationship stops giving us the security that you really needed. I think our next go to is like, Okay, well, money gives me security. So, I've now lost that sense of stability that I had with this relationship. Now, kind of let me see what I can do to manage the money part of it. No right or wrong there. I think it's just a very natural human nature thing that we do.”

[38:29-38:44]

“So instead of wanting to say, “Well, but this is what I want, and this is what I want, and this is why this is what I want,” if you can change that and flip it and try to understand why it is what they want. That's the starting point of getting to the other side.”

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Ep 03: Simple Insurance Solutions and Focusing On What's Important May 20, 2021

Show notes

Martin Vreman

The Confident Retirement Podcast with Brett Kris Flammang and Mark Picchi Episode 003 Martin Vreman

Martin Vreman is an independent insurance agent of Great Insurance Florida. He opened their first agency in 1995 in Clearwater, then moved back to Parrish in 2003. He then opened their second agency in Ellenton in 2005, then sold the Clearwater office. Martin is currently servicing around 4,000 policies in auto, home, and other personal lines, as well as commercial lines.

Martin is originally from Netherlands. He and his family immigrated by the age of 10 to Florida. He married his high-school sweetheart, Denise while in college. After graduation, he obtained his Property & Casualty General Lines Insurance license. More than being a great husband and a great business owner, Martin is also a great dad with7 kids, two of which are married. In his free time, he enjoys enjoy boating, playing volleyball and most recently pickleball!

Listen to this dynamic The Confident Retirement Podcast episode with Martin Vreman about focusing on helping people more than just selling insurance.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

Martin gives us his background of how he came to United States and why he chose the insurance career path.

What are the learning experiences he had along the way that he wished he’d knew back then?

Martin explains the blind spots and misconceptions that people have about protection plans and the insurance industry.

Martin shares the way he wants to let people know of why having a comprehensive protection plan is important.

What does Martin like most about the business, and what does he enjoy doing aside from that?

Martin tells us story on his experiences with a satisfying client, his good and bad memory of money, and what he would be splurging on if given the chance.

Connect with Martin Vreman:

Website: https://palmetto.greatflorida.com/

Phone number: (941) 721-9888

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreatFloridaInsurance.Palmetto70

Connect with Kris and Mark

Website: https://www.lpfadvisors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopher-flammang-lpfadv/

Twitter: @kflammang

#MarkPicchi

Highlights:

[07:29-07:56]

“I would say that while insurance can be so frustrating for people, because you're paying a lot of money for a piece of paper. Having had 26 years in the business, I have seen plenty of cases where that piece of paper saved someone's rear end. Whether it's an auto accident, whether it is a house fire, whether it is a dog bite, or any of those kinds of things from my perspective in Property and Casualty, that peace of mind.”

[13:08-13:14]

“You’re right, the larger sale doesn't necessarily have as much of a satisfactory experience as just serving the person well.”

[20:14-20:31]

“I would say the personal aspects definitely exceeds by an exponential form my business only because I think that's the relationships matter. So, that really sets my kids and my wife. Like I said, by God's grace. But I think that would be our biggest accomplishment.”

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Ep 02: Asset Protection Unlocked from an Advisor with Heart May 13, 2021

Show notes

Eido Walny

The Confident Retirement Podcast with Brett Kris Flammang and Mark Picchi Episode 02: Eido Walny

Eido M. Walny is the founder of the Walny Legal Group. He has been in the industry for 10 years, starting in 2011. His practice focuses on estate planning, asset protection, business succession, probate, trust administration, and he is also experienced in business, tax, and real estate law. He is a noted national speaker, author, and commentator on issues effecting estate planning, charitable giving methods, and topical business issues.

Eido has a lot of achievements that we can list, but one of which is that, in 2014, he was selected as one of five national “Advisors with Heart” by Trusts & Estates Magazine. In addition to numerous achievements, awards, and professional positions, Eido is the President for the Village of Bayside, Wisconsin, and serves on several subcommittees, and county-wide committees. In his free time, Eido also makes cufflinks, restores classic cars, and manages his son’s hockey career.

Listen to this dynamic The Confident Retirement Podcast episode with Eido Walny. Learn about his principles and hear his thoughts about comprehensive estate planning and why it is important for everyone.

-Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

-What led Eido to open up his own practice, and what his interesting history is behind this?

-Eido talks about what comprehensive estate planning is and what it accomplishes.

-What excites Eido about his areas of practice and the business as well?

-Were there challenges and misconceptions that he has to face in the industry?

-Eido shares other stuff that he likes to do besides being a lawyer, and what his alternate dream job is.

Connect with Eido Walny

Website: walnylegal.com

Twitter: @WalneyLegalGroup

LinkedIn: Walny Legal Group LLC

Connect with Kris and Mark

Facebook facebook.com/kris.flammang.1

Twitter @kflammang

#MarkPicchi

Highlights:

[09:49-10:19]

So our job in my view is to make sure that that client is smiling on the way out, just like they were smiling on the way in and, when we can have that happen I know that I've done a good job, because they've had a positive client interaction with a lawyer, which is hard to do, frankly. So I really enjoy that, I like being that lawyer where clients can come in and talk to us and through this process, be happy with the results, be happy with what they've been charged and know that they've gotten a good result. So that's the first thing.

[17:19-17:36]

I know that we leave money on the table, but I'm happy to leave that money on the table to sleep better at night and know that we've got the smiles in smiles out policy where clients are happy at the end. That to me, you know, 10 years in now, I couldn't be more happy with the direction we're going.

[23:07-23:17]

No, money is a tool and it can be an extreme positive or an extreme negative. When we can diminish the negativity and increase the positivity, that's a win every time.

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Ep 01: Mystery Free Estate Planning with Education and Compassion May 06, 2021

Show notes

Somita Basu

The Confident Retirement Podcast with Brett Kris Flammang and Mark Picchi Episode 01: Somita Basu

Somita Basu is one of the owners for the Norton Basu LLP. Together with Zakiya Norton, her partner, they use their diverse background and perspective to educate their clients giving practical advice with compassion and world class service.

Like every entrepreneur is, Somita’s road to Norton Basu LLP was not a straight line. She was originally from Nebraska and went overseas. She stayed in India for 3 years. She then moved to Singapore for a decade and then decided to shift gears and pursue a legal career. She attended law school remotely and flew into California to take the bar exam and passed. When Somita finally moved to the Bay Area in 2013, she decided to be a volunteer and that’s where she met her law partner Zakiya who she joined the legal clinic with on the same day. That’s how she came to practice Estate Planning.

Somita serves as the Chair-Elect for the Solo and Small Firm Section of the California Lawyers Association, past editor of The Practitioner (the Section’s premier publication), and was on the influential Project 2021 Committee for the CLA to determine the future of the association. She is also the Co-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the California Lawyers Association. Somita gives back to the community through her role as a board member of the non-profit, Justice At Last, where she a member of the Fundraising Committee

Listen to this dynamic The Confident Retirement Podcast episode with Somita Basu about estate planning and how it is important to your financial health.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

Somita gives us a peek of her story and how she ended up being in the Estate planning field.

She also shares the practice areas and parts of the business that she likes the most.

Somita gives some misconceptions about being an attorney and circumstances she has encountered.

Most importantly, she talks about how estate planning is important, not just to people who has million dollars but to anyone who has assets and how money should be used as a tool.

Connect with Somita Basu

Website: www.nortonbasu.com/

Twitter: @nortonbasu

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nortonbasu

LinkedIn: Norton Basu LLP

Connect with Kris and Mark

Facebook facebook.com/kris.flammang.1

Twitter @kflammang

#MarkPicchi

Highlights:

[04:13-04:31]

“I think one thing that we are confronted with all the time is that death is a part of life, it's going to happen to everybody just like taxes. You know, it's very true. I think not confronting that fact head on causes a lot of problems for the people you leave behind.”

[11:12-11:38]

“A revocable living trust is very easy to understand if you think about it as like a gift box. So, it's like an open box. During your lifetime, you put all your assets in there, it's a separate entity, it's a box, it's different from you. You're putting all your assets in there. When you pass away, the top of the box goes on, nothing else can be put in there. The bottom opens and it goes out to whoever you say.

[36:47-37:21]

I think, estate planning is really just a fundamental part of your financial life. People don't think of it as part of your financial life, but it is one of the building blocks of your finances and your financial health. So, people will think about the rate of return on their investment account, but they don't think about what will happen to this account. If something happens to me, if I'm no longer here, what happens to that account, and that's a very important part of it, right? So that's your legacy. That's what you're passing on, and you don't just want to pass it on, you want to pass it on along with your values.

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Trailer: Welcome to The Confident Retirement Podcast Apr 13, 2021

Show notes

Should simply knowing more stuff make us more confident? What is real peace of mind financial confidence and how can we get it? Only about 25% of Americans feel VERY confident about their ability to have enough to live comfortably in retirement and The Confident Retirement Podcast is out to CHANGE that – one show at a time.

I’m Kris Flammang, co-founder of LPF Advisors. My partner, Mark Picchi, and I are helping hundreds of individuals and families achieve a confident retirement with our focus and expertise in giving the right advice at the right time in the right way based on what folks value most in their lives. Our program is going to empower you with simple financial wisdom that’s doable right now.

Guests on the program are experts in their respective fields. They have relatable real-world experiences and advice on life’s big decisions – both financial and otherwise. Our show exists because achieving a confidence in your future financial destination doesn’t have to be a chore; in fact, the journey can be fun and rewarding when the right people are involved. And the best way to start is just a conversation! So join us and let’s get confident together!

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