PODCASTEpisode 19 – Real Estate & Estate Planning: Trusts & LLCs (Part 2)
How you title your property matters—especially when it comes to avoiding probate and protecting your assets.
In Part 2 of this real estate series, Dave Shaffer and Tom Rickettson take estate planning to the next level by exploring how trusts and limited liability companies (LLCs) can offer flexibility, privacy, and protection for your real estate holdings. Whether you're looking to avoid probate, shield assets from nursing home costs, or manage a family lake house with siblings, this episode covers the tools that go beyond basic deed structures.
Dave explains the difference between revocable trusts (which avoid probate but don't protect assets) and irrevocable trusts (which can shield your home from Medicaid spend-down). Tom breaks down the benefits of LLCs for real estate—including liability protection, flexible management rules, and the ability to customize ownership structures for multiple family members. They also discuss how trusts and LLCs can be combined to create customized solutions that meet your unique needs.
The conversation wraps up with a fun "Show and Tell" segment featuring Jennifer Aniston's Norman's Nest Trust (named after her Corgi Terrier mix) and Kevin Federline and Britney Spears' Love Shack Trust—celebrity examples that show how creative trust naming can provide privacy while avoiding probate.