Estate Planning with Fexingo: Wills, Trusts, and Passing Wealth to Future Generations

Lucas and Luna explore Charitable Remainder Unitrusts (CRUTs), a strategy for donors over 70 who want both lifetime income and a charitable legacy. They walk through a real-world example: a retired executive with $1 million in appreciated stock uses a CRUT to avoid capital gains, boost income, and leave $600,000 to charity. The hosts explain Net Income with Makeup CRUTs, the IRS's 10% remainder requirement, and why the current interest-rate environment makes this trust especially attractive. They also discuss how CRUTs compare to CRATs and the risk of 'burnout' in volatile markets. A natural donation segment ties the listener's support for Fexingo to the show's commitment to clear, ad-free financial education.

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In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT), a powerful estate planning tool that lets you gift assets to your spouse while keeping potential access through them. They walk through a concrete example: a married couple with $15 million in assets, facing a 40% estate tax above the exemption. Lucas explains the mechanics — how a SLAT uses the gift tax exemption to move assets out of your estate while your spouse remains a discretionary beneficiary — and addresses the hot-button risk of divorce or death. No trust eliminates all risk, but for high-net-worth couples looking to lock in today's elevated exemption before potential sunsets in 2026, a SLAT offers a compelling blend of tax savings and family protection. Tune in for a no-fluff primer on one of the most popular strategies in modern estate planning.

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In Episode 107 of Estate Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explain how a bypass trust — also called a credit shelter trust — allows married couples to use both federal estate tax exemptions, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of dollars. Using a concrete example of a couple with a $20 million estate, they walk through how the trust works at the first spouse's death, what the surviving spouse can and cannot access, and why this strategy remains crucial even with the current $13.61 million exemption. They discuss the 2026 sunset risk, portability versus bypass trusts, and how state-level exemptions in places like Massachusetts and Oregon create added urgency. This episode is essential listening for any married couple with significant assets who wants to ensure their heirs keep more of what they've built.

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In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT), a powerful estate-planning tool that lets you transfer asset appreciation to heirs with minimal gift tax. They use a concrete example: a $5 million stock portfolio placed in a two-year GRAT when the Section 7520 rate is at 3.2 percent. Lucas explains how a zeroed-out GRAT works mathematically, why low interest rates make GRATs especially effective right now in mid-2026, and the risk if the grantor dies during the trust term. Luna asks why GRATs aren't more popular and challenges Lucas on the idea that they're just for the ultra-wealthy. They also touch on a real IRS ruling from 2023 that tightened rules around short-term GRATs. By the end, you'll understand why financial planners are calling 2026 a golden window for GRATs and how a simple annuity calculation can save millions in estate taxes.

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Lucas and Luna unpack the dynasty trust, a powerful estate-planning tool designed to transfer wealth across multiple generations while minimizing estate taxes. Using a real-world case—a $10 million estate in 2026—they explain how this trust works, its tax advantages under current law, and the trade-offs like loss of control and the rule against perpetuities. Perfect for listeners considering long-term wealth preservation beyond a simple will or revocable trust.

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Lucas and Luna break down the standby trust — a flexible estate-planning tool that lets you retain control of your assets during your lifetime while shielding them from probate and creditors after death. They walk through a real-world scenario: a Massachusetts couple in their early 60s who set up a standby trust to protect a $1.2 million portfolio and a vacation home in Cape Cod. The episode explains how the trust works, why it avoids the rigidity of an irrevocable trust, and how it compares to a revocable living trust. They also discuss the role of the trustee, the proper funding process, and the one major pitfall — forgetting to retitle assets into the trust. By the end, you'll understand why a standby trust can be a smart middle path for families who want both control and protection.

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Episode 103 of Estate Planning with Fexingo dives into the often-overlooked power of beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable-on-death bank accounts. Lucas and Luna explain how a simple form can bypass probate court entirely, saving heirs months of delay and thousands in legal fees. They walk through a real-world case: a Chicago widow who inherited her husband's $420,000 IRA within three weeks because the beneficiary form was correctly filled out, versus a neighbor whose estate spent 11 months in probate over a missing designation. The hosts also cover common pitfalls like naming minor children directly, forgetting to update after a divorce, and the trap of 'my estate' as a beneficiary. This episode is essential for anyone who wants their assets to pass smoothly to the people they intend — without a judge's permission.

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In this episode of Estate Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna dive into a critical but often overlooked estate planning tool: the durable power of attorney. They explain how a properly drafted POA for finances and healthcare can prevent a court-appointed guardianship if you become incapacitated. Using the real-world case of musician Prince, who died without a will or POA, they illustrate the public court battles and legal fees that can arise. Lucas breaks down the difference between springing and immediate powers, the risks of using a free online form, and why even a simple will won't protect you from guardianship. By the end, you'll know the key questions to ask an attorney when setting up your own POA.

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In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Spousal IRA strategy, a powerful yet underutilized tool for boosting retirement savings for a non-working or lower-earning spouse. They break down the rules: how a working spouse can contribute to a separate IRA in the non-working spouse's name, the 2025 contribution limits, the income phase-outs for Roth IRAs, and the key planning nuances around age, eligibility, and withdrawal timing. Using a concrete example of a couple where one spouse stays home with kids, they show how consistent contributions can grow to over $500,000 by retirement. They also discuss recent legislative changes under SECURE 2.0 that affect catch-up contributions and RMD ages. The episode clarifies common misconceptions, like whether the non-working spouse needs earned income. A must-listen for any couple looking to maximize their tax-advantaged retirement space.

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In this special 100th episode, Lucas and Luna break down the Spousal IRA, a little-known strategy that lets a working spouse contribute to a non-working spouse's retirement account. They walk through the income thresholds, Roth vs. traditional considerations, and a concrete example of how a couple in their 30s could add $500,000 to their nest egg by using this rule. No ads, just actionable planning.

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