Legacy Leaders

Mary Vandenack is a highly accomplished and respected attorney with extensive expertise in tax, trusts and estates, business succession, high net worth estate planning, asset protection planning, executive compensation, tax dispute resolution, and philanthropy. As the CEO, Founding, and Managing Member of Vandenack Weaver LLC in Omaha, Nebraska, Mary provides exceptional legal services to businesses, business owners, executives, real estate developers and investors, healthcare providers, professionals, and tax-exempt organizations. She is a renowned public speaker, writer, and innovator in her field, sharing her knowledge and insight with audiences across the US through podcasts, webinars, and publications. Mary is actively involved in several American Bar Association committees, including the Real Property Trust and Estate Section and the Law Practice Division, where she serves on the Executive Council and as Vice Chair of Law Practice Magazine. With numerous accolades and recognitions, Mary is widely regarded as one of the leading lawyers in her field.

Listen to this informative Your Life. Your Legacy. episode with Mary Vandenack about her approach to legacy planning as objective-based planning. In addition, she also discusses transitioning a business to family, the emotional value of farming land, integrating insurance, selling a business with no family members, and the importance of wellness in her work.

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

●    Legacy planning is more than just drafting wills and trusts - it's about understanding a client's objectives and collaborating with their advisors to achieve long-term goals, including business transitions and passing on a legacy to family members.

●    Partnering with financial advisors, life insurance can help tackle common challenges in family businesses, particularly in agriculture, where wealth is typically concentrated in property and livestock, and where it can be challenging to distribute inheritance fairly among non-business-involved family members.

●    Preserving a family legacy over multiple generations is possible with creative planning strategies, such as incentive farm leases and LLC structures, but balancing the interests of all family members and avoiding internal resentments is crucial for success.

●    When no family members are available to take over a business, the conversation shifts to business succession. Essential considerations include identifying potential buyers, understanding what life looks like after the sale, and beginning succession planning from the day you start the business.

●    As a wellness visionary and advocate, Mary prioritizes well-being in her personal and professional life, recognizing the importance of mental and physical health for both herself and her clients.

Connect with Mary:

Website: https://maryvandenack.com/

Vandenack Weaver, LLC: https://vwtlawyers.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mvandenack

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-vandenack-508020a/

Podcast: https://maryvandenack.com/podcast/

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Rob Kosberg is an entrepreneur, business consultant, and publisher with over two decades of experience in the business. High-profile clients under his belt include world champion boxer Evander Holyfield and Shark Tank's Kevin Harrington. As the Founder of Best Seller Publishing, he has helped over 200 authors hit the best-seller list in 23 different industries. Rob is a sought-after speaker and business strategist thanks to his expertise in book promotion, marketing, and lead generation. His ability to help his clients become the go-to experts in their respective fields has earned him a reputation as one of the most respected authorities in the industry.

Listen to this informative Your Life. Your Legacy. episode with Rob Kosberg as he shares incredible tips on how to become a bestselling author, create a positive impact, and generate income by writing your own book. Don't wait any longer to take your career to the next level as Rob also talks about how to unleash the power of your book!

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

●    Writing a book can be a daunting yet fulfilling experience, as Stan found solace in providing solutions for clients and creating a guide for those with similar struggles, while bonding with other writers. It may not bring wealth, but it establishes a foundation for future endeavors and validates your expertise.

●    A book can serve as a foundation to build a business, professional practice, or speaking career, and can help crystallize ideas, with success stories like Dave Ramsey and John Maxwell who built multimillion-dollar businesses from their books, and Michelle Obama who secured national media appearances.

●    Enhanced ghostwriting is a way to transform your extensive knowledge and captivating stories into a finely crafted book, complete with chapters that capture your unique voice and keep your readers hooked.

●    A well-crafted book can offer guidance and pave the way for building your business connections.

●    Rob and his team's enhanced ghostwriting process can help busy entrepreneurs complete their book in four to six months with just at least 45 minutes a week. They also ensure their client's book becomes a bestseller with a launch process that includes paid advertising, social media, and press releases to reach a wider audience.

Connect with Rob:

Website: https://bestsellerpublishing.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/robkosberg

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

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

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Nancy Sharp is an influential writer, storyteller, and motivational speaker who has inspired many people through her experiences and teachings. Her widely published memoir, Both Sides Now: A True Story of Love, Loss, and Bold Living, is an inspiring and captivating tale of her journey through the tragic loss of her husband to a brain tumor and how she emerged from that difficult time with a renewed sense of purpose and an unwavering commitment to living boldly. In addition, Nancy's children's book, Because the Sky is Everywhere, was inspired by actual conversations and dreams of her three-year-old twins who struggled to understand where their father was after his death, a concept that is particularly abstract for small children. They eventually realized their father might be elsewhere during a car ride, inspiring Nancy's book. Nancy is also an accomplished speaker and trainer who has shared her expertise with many audiences, including Fortune 500 companies, global organizations, and communities across North America.

Listen to this informative Your Life. Your Legacy. episode with Nancy Sharp as she shares her wealth of knowledge on building legacies through storytelling and ethical wills, and how her impactful workshops and training programs have helped countless individuals and families connect with their histories and leave a meaningful and lasting legacy for future generations.

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

●    Nancy's own experiences and work with clients have taught her the value of speaking up and expressing oneself without delay to leave a lasting impact and have peace of mind.

●    Both Sides Now is an inspiring memoir written by Nancy after finding a perfect metaphor for her story in Joni Mitchell's song. It aims to comfort people navigating through their losses by letting them reflect on their own stories.

●    Nancy's children's book Because the Sky is Everywhere teaches that love transcends physical separation and loss and endures even when someone we love is no longer with us.

●    A guided autobiography helps individuals leave a meaningful legacy and capture important life experiences through storytelling, providing accountability and guidance for those who want to write a life letter but struggle to find the time and structure to do so.

●    Creating a life letter can help you live with more intention and purpose, and it's never too soon or too late to start.

Links Mentioned:

Both Sides Now: A True Story of Love, Loss, and Bold Living: https://www.amazon.com/Both-Sides-Now-Story-Living/dp/B09QP7HC2S

Because the Sky is Everywhere: https://www.amazon.com/Because-Sky-Everywhere-Nancy-Sharp/dp/0998173908

Connect with Nancy:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nancystorymuse

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancy.storymuse

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

Website: https://www.nancysharp.net/

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Patricia de Fonte is a well-respected estate planning attorney and the founder of De Fonte Law PC. She is dedicated to offering a unique approach to estate planning that goes beyond traditional methods and focuses on family harmony, personal values, and empowering heirs. With her expertise in the field, she has received recognition for her commitment to clients and ethics, being named to the 2021 San Francisco Super Lawyers list and winning the 2021 BBB Torch Award for Ethics in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a strong background in estate planning, probate, and trust administration from Golden Gate University, Patricia approaches her work with a passion for social justice and strives to provide clients with a better experience in estate planning. Known for her warm and relatable personality, Patricia treats each of her clients as if they were one of her own.

Listen to this informative Your Life. Your Legacy. episode with Patricia de Fonte as she shares the essence of family-focused estate planning, emphasizing the importance of creating a plan that considers not only money and taxes but also family harmony, trust, and personal values. She also delves into estate planning as an intimate process beyond just preparing documents, focusing on providing a client-centric experience.

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

●    Estate planning is an integral part of life that deserves careful and personalized attention to secure assets and loved ones. A good estate plan gives you peace of mind no matter what life throws your way.

●    Patricia's approach to initial client meetings is by setting expectations, getting to know the clients and their values, and learning about their loved ones, who they trust, who they are worried about, and who they feel responsible for, as a means of providing value-based estate planning services.

●    Patricia and her firm ensure clients fully comprehend their documents through personalized meetings and a careful review process, including notary signing and a final funding review with the client for added security and peace of mind.

●    In addition, they assist their clients in putting together a solid financial team by finding and recommending the right advisors, brokers, and professionals and offering advice on how to build a successful working relationship with them.

●    Estate planning is a crucial part of financial planning, especially for those facing social justice issues. Patricia works to help people of all backgrounds secure their wealth for future generations.

Connect with Patricia:

Links Mentioned:

WealthCounsel Estate Planning Strategies: Collective Wisdom, Proven Techniques: https://www.amazon.com/Estate-Planning-Strategies-Collective-Techniques/dp/0982177909

Guest Contact Info:

Email: [email protected]

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

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

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

De Fonte Law PC: https://defontelaw.com/

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John M. Jennings is a prominent figure in the realm of wealth management as the President and Chief Strategist of St. Louis Trust & Family Office, a national wealth management firm with clients in 30 states. With over $10 billion in investment assets and $12 billion in total wealth under his leadership and guidance, John heads a team of financial experts who provide a high level of personalized service and a full range of family office services. His extensive background in investments, tax, estate planning, and trusts, combined with his educational experience in finance and law, positions him as a trusted advisor to client families. He is also a dedicated member of his community through his involvement in non-profit organizations and his teaching role at Washington University.

Listen to this informative Your Life. Your Legacy. episode with John Jennings as he shares his strategies and tools in helping the 63 families he works with, as well as his insights on the responsible way to maintain wealth with purpose and avoid jeopardizing future generations. He touches on being charitable and giving back and offers his perspective on investing amidst the financial uncertainties. He also mentions his passion for sharing interesting facts through blogging and writing.

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

●    Estate planning is a matter of personal preference and balancing simplicity with tax optimization, as some families prioritize keeping things straightforward. In contrast, others are willing to take on complexity to save every last dollar, as early planning can make estate taxes largely optional.

●    Achieving true wealth involves balancing your wants and needs with your current income and wealth, creating a meaningful legacy, and using money with purpose - any extra is just considered a "gravy" or a bonus.

●    To increase happiness and life satisfaction, using wealth to buy experiences and spending time with others rather than isolating oneself is key, as studies show a positive correlation between having more money and being happier.

●    Create a legacy of giving through values-based philanthropy, where you make a significant impact in a specific area and pass it down to future generations by living your values and leading by example.

●    The Uncertainty Solution, How to Invest with Confidence in the Face of the Unknown: The key to becoming a great investor is not in knowing everything about the financial markets but in developing mental models, as championed by Charlie Munger, to make better decisions in life and lead to potentially more wealth in the future.

Connect with John:

Links Mentioned:

The Uncertainty Solution: How to Invest with Confidence in the Face of the Unknown: https://www.amazon.com/Uncertainty-Solution-Invest-Confidence-Face/dp/B0BDXZNZQF

The Haimish Line by David Brooks: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/opinion/brooks-the-haimish-line.html

Guest Contact Info:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bigdogtwo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-jennings-433a054/

The IFOD: https://www.theifod.com/

Website: https://johnmjennings.com/

St. Louis Trust and Family Office: https://www.stlouistrust.com/

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Hillary Vaillancourt is a leading advocate for families with special needs and a founding partner of The Vaillancourt Law Firm. With a personal connection to this work as the sister of a brother with special needs, she has made it her life's mission to empower and protect families like hers. Her tireless efforts have led to the drafting and adoption of the Deaf Child's Bill of Rights in Pennsylvania. At her firm, she specializes in estate planning for families with minor children, estate planning for families with loved ones with special needs, and farm succession planning. This provides families with not just a plan but the peace of mind that their loved ones are protected for the future.

Listen to this informative Your Life. Your Legacy. episode with Hillary Vaillancourt as she shares her expertise in estate planning for families with special needs and the unique opportunities and challenges that come with it. Emphasizing that estate planning is a "team sport," she also shares her unique approach to doing estate planning for farmers under the special needs model.

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

●    Choosing guardianship for adult children with special needs can be complicated for parents as it involves various factors such as capability, compassion, empathy, financial aspect, and values.

●    Estate planning is a team effort, and it's essential to involve professionals like insurance agents and financial advisors to ensure the creation of a successful plan.

●    Proactive estate planning is crucial for farmers to secure family farms and provide local food while avoiding complications for loved ones.

●    Hillary's legacy goal: empowering her team to help other families protect their loved ones while creating a work-life balance and a work environment where being a parent is seen as an asset.

Connect with Hillary:

Website: https://www.thevaillancourtlawfirm.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-vaillancourt-1580463a/

Instagram: https://twitter.com/hdvaillancourt

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Christopher is a certified financial planner with over thirty years of experience helping small business owners, retirees, and families in achieving their financial goals and objectives. As the founder and principal of Elliott Wealth Management Services, LLC, with offices in Madison, Connecticut and Summerfield, Florida, he is committed to devoting as much time and effort as possible to clients to explain financial concepts, strategies, and investment alternatives in a way that is easily understood. Christopher is also the host of the Simply Financial Podcast.

Listen to this informative Your Life. Your Legacy. episode with Christopher Calandra as we talk about getting to know your clients well, as well as his tips for opening the door to client relationships. Christopher will also discuss the value of a good financial advisor relationship and the advantages of using technology for negotiation.

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

·        One of the ways you're able to help clients is by getting to know them. Communication and sharing your philosophies with them will increase the likelihood of them sharing their ideas with you.

·        Authenticity, open-ended questions, and regular discussions about important topics as they develop and life unfolds allow open dialogue with clients.

·        The key to serving your clients well is a good relationship between financial advisors and estate planning attorneys.

·        Consider starting your own podcast if you're an estate planner, CPA, or professional. It will add credibility to your brand and help you attract and retain clients.

Connect with Christopher:

Website: https://elliottwealth.com/

Podcast: https://elliottwealth.com/podcasts

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

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Natalie Felsenfeld has been practicing estate planning, estate administration, real estate, and business law since she graduated in 2016 from Pace University Law School. She originally started out as a tax associate, and then started doing more of the planning side and has been in private practice with multiple firms until 2020 when she started her own solo practice in upstate New York.

Her practice now includes working with families, couples, students, and retirees on estate planning matters, focusing on estates under the federal estate tax limit. She has also developed a wide range of experience in business law, including the establishment of 501(c)(3) organizations and LLCs, as well as the purchase and sale of real estate.

Listen to this informative Your Life. Your Legacy. episode with Natalie Felsenfeld as she walks us through her work as an attorney and what makes her approach to estate planning unique. We also discuss how to build rapport with your clients and get them to open up to you, what to consider before signing your will, and the importance of work-life balance.

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

·        As an attorney, it is essential that your clients understand what they are signing, what these documents are used for, and what will happen in the future for estate administration.

·        It all starts with a conversation, with you trying to connect with your clients on a more personal level before going deeper into the assets to help them in preparing their will.

·        The best part about going solo is having a very good work-life balance where you can offer a more boutique experience to your clients while also being able to do what you love and desire.

·        Comfortability is the key. When your clients are in a comfortable environment, particularly their homes, they will tell you more information and you will learn a lot more about them.

Connect with Natalie:

Website: https://www.nsflegal.com/

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 914-323-8052

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With over six years of experience, Donald Cunningham, a financial service consultant and wealth coach has specialized in helping families and business owners by protecting their income, planning a tax-free retirement, and creating generational wealth protection. He was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and just recently relocated to El Paso, Texas with his wife and kids.

Listen to this informative Your Life. Your Legacy. episode with Donald Cunningham as he shares his expertise in life insurance and financial planning, and how these areas can help you to protect the things that are most valuable to you and your family.

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

·        Investing in the right life insurance can secure your family's future, create generational wealth, and you can still enjoy the living benefits

·        A life insurance plan is much more than a tax-saving tool

·        By taking out a death benefit policy, you can provide financial support to your immediate family upon your death

·        The power of financial literacy

Connect with Donald:

Website: https://dscfinancialservices.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-cunningham-689933167/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donaldacham/?hl=en

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

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During her 20 years as a notary and Signing Agent, Amy Seitz has become adept at recognizing trends and knowing what works and what doesn’t for her business. When she became a remote notary, she knew this was a game-changer for notaries across the nation. After a successful first few months, she became frustrated with the ongoing cost of the technology required for remote online notarization (RON), so she decided she wanted to start her own remote notarization platform to provide affordable service for notaries, and so the idea for CyberizeIt was born. Today, CyberizeIt provides remote notarization in 33 States and the territory of Guam, and Amy is also a certified notary trainer working with other Notaries on the process of RON setup.

Listen to this informative Your Life. Your Legacy. episode with Amy Seitz as we dive into the topic of remote online notarization, or RON, and talk about Amy’s online platform for notaries and clients alike, CyberizeIt.com. Having a certified, legitimate remote notary can hugely impact how you get things done when it comes to your important paperwork, and a rigorous ID verification process will help you have faith in the safety of the process.

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

·        What goes into making sure remote notaries are meeting legal compliances?

·        Instantaneous access to a notary can be convenient, practical, and sometimes necessary

·        What are some of the limitations behind online notarization?

·        How safe is online notarization?

·        How does CyberizeIt work to connect you to a relevant Notary?

Connect with Amy:

Website: notary.cyberizeit.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cyberize-it-llc

Instagram: instagram.com/cyberizeit

Facebook: facebook.com/cyberizeit

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