Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Attorney and Counselor at Law of The Law Firm of Myrna Serrano Setty, Myrna Serrano Setty. Myrna's decision to start her own law firm in 2016 was driven by a desire for control over her practice and time. As a young mom, she needed flexibility to balance her professional and personal life. This decision wasn't easy, but it allowed her to focus on estate planning and probate, areas she was passionate about.

To learn more about Myrna's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Audrey Ehrhardt's work at Practice42, check out her website at https://practice42.com/.

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Chief Everything Officer of VanderVeen Elder and Special Needs Law, Jennifer VanderVeen. Jennifer shared her journey of finding her niche in elder and special needs law. She emphasized the importance of self-discovery and understanding one's unique strengths and ways of thinking. Reflect on your skills and interests. What areas of law resonate with you? What are you passionate about? Don’t be afraid to try different areas of law. Internships, clerkships, and volunteer opportunities can provide valuable insights. Engage with mentors and peers to gain perspective on your strengths and areas for improvement.

To learn more about Jennifer's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Audrey Ehrhardt's work at Practice42, check out her website at https://practice42.com/.

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Founder, Estate Planning, and Elder Law Attorney of The Law Office of Angela Odensky, Angela Odensky. Elder law is a unique field that transcends traditional legal boundaries, focusing on serving a population rather than a specific area of law. Angela's firm, based in Bellaire, Texas, and also serving Washington, specializes in elder law, estate planning, probate, and special needs. The firm's mission is to assist individuals in navigating the complexities of aging and the legal issues that accompany it.

Angela emphasized the importance of the intake process, where they gather comprehensive information, often via telephone, to identify the legal needs of their clients. This step is crucial as many individuals may not even know what kind of legal assistance they require. Elder law attorneys often act as the social workers of the legal world, providing guidance to other attorneys when complex legal issues related to capacity and aging arise.

The legal profession has seen a significant shift towards virtual practice, a change accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Angela shared her vision of leveraging technology to expand her practice to Washington while maintaining a presence in Texas. Tools for remote communication and document management are key to operating across state lines, allowing her to serve communities that may lack access to specialized legal services.

To learn more about Angela's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Audrey Ehrhardt's work at Practice42, check out her website at https://practice42.com/.

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Attorney and Counselor at Law of Life Point Law, Aaron Paker. Aaron's path to law was anything but traditional. Initially aspiring to be a genetic engineer, a poignant encounter with a six-year-old boy set him on a new trajectory. After years as an early childhood teacher, Aaron transitioned into law, drawn by the prospect of less bureaucracy. Despite the initial challenges of breaking into the field, he found his calling at an elder law firm led by Rajiv Nagar, who's on a mission to change how we approach retirement.

To learn more about Aaron's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Audrey Ehrhardt's work at Practice42, check out her website at https://practice42.com/.

Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence, talks with the Founder and CEO of Trustate, Leah Del Percio. Leah Del Paso's journey in co-founding Truestate is a testament to the power of innovation in legal services. Truestate emerged as a response to the complex needs of trust and estate lawyers, offering tools designed to streamline their work and enhance their practice. Leah emphasized the platform's ability to simplify intricate processes, making it easier for lawyers to manage their caseloads and maintain accuracy in their work.

The conversation naturally progressed to the broader technology topic in the legal field. Leah pointed out that lawyers who embrace technological tools are better equipped to serve their clients efficiently in today's digital age. She highlighted how Truetate leverages cutting-edge software to automate mundane tasks, freeing lawyers to focus on the more nuanced aspects of their cases.

To learn more about Leah's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Audrey Ehrhardt's work at Practice42, check out her website at https://practice42.com/.

Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence, talks with the Sole Owner, Attorney, and Counselor of Ford & Lustfield Law Office, Cassandra Lustfield. Cassandra Lustfield is not just any lawyer; she has dedicated her career to helping clients navigate the often-overwhelming world of estate planning and elder law. At Ford & Lustfield Law Office, she offers a spectrum of services that cater to various needs, from straightforward estate plans to more complex trust plans and Medicaid asset protection trusts. She also assists with the formation of LLCs for asset protection, ensuring her clients' legacies are secure.

Based in Windom, Minnesota, Cassandra's practice primarily serves farmers and individuals with smaller estates. She understands the unique challenges they face, concerning farmland and estate taxes. Her expertise is crafting legal documents and understanding the nuances of her client's lives and livelihoods.

To learn more about Cassandra's work, click HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Audrey Ehrhardt's work at Practice42, check out her website at https://practice42.com/.

Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence introduces the Director of NSS Legal, Oliver Sloam. Oliver is at the helm of NSS Legal and partners in an actuarial firm that oversees UK pension schemes. His expertise is rooted in a family tradition of managing trusts, which has undoubtedly shaped his career trajectory. Oliver painted a vivid picture of his daily responsibilities, from drafting wills and trusts to tackling capacity issues, all aimed at ensuring his clients' legacies are preserved and protected.

Quality service is the cornerstone of any successful law practice, and Oliver's approach is no exception. Inheriting a client base from a larger actuarial firm, he now caters to an eclectic mix of individuals, including former James Bond actors and parliamentarians. Oliver underscored the critical role of understanding budgets and operations to deliver top-notch service in the competitive legal services landscape.

To learn more about Oliver's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Audrey Ehrhardt's work at Practice42, check out her website at https://practice42.com/.

Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence introduces the Owner and Senior Attorney of Little Law Office, Carla D. Little. Carla's clientele largely consists of faith-based individuals seeking guidance in preparing end-of-life documents. She shared the poignant reason behind her transition from criminal law to estate planning—a death in her own family. This experience illuminated the profound need for compassionate estate planners who can navigate people through life's inevitable transitions.

Carla acknowledged that while both areas of criminal law and the nuanced field of estate planning law present their challenges, her current role allows her to focus more on creating meaningful plans for her clients' futures rather than preparing for trials. It's a different kind of challenge—one that involves deeply understanding her client's wishes for their children and other significant matters.

To learn more about Carla's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Audrey Ehrhardt's work at Practice42, check out her website at https://practice42.com/.

Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence introduces the CEO of Westrock Appraisal, Abe Romer. Westrock Appraisal isn't just a company; it's a legacy established in 1987 by Abe Romer's father. As the current President, Abe oversees every department, ensuring that the company's reach extends across 40 states in the US. Their clientele is diverse, ranging from CMBS lenders and conventional banks to estate planning attorneys and the IRS. Abe's leadership has been instrumental in the company's expansion, maintaining a robust staff of about 85 full-time employees nationwide.

One of the standout services provided by Westrock Appraisal is their work with estate planning attorneys. Abe explained how they appraise properties for clients involved in estate planning, a service made possible by their extensive coverage across the United States. This capability allows them to collaborate with attorneys in various states, showcasing the company's adaptability and commitment to meeting client needs.

To learn more about Abe's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Audrey Ehrhardt's work at Practice42, check out her website at https://practice42.com/.

Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence introduces the Managing Director of Playfair Planning Services, Kim Bourne. Kim and her team at Playfair Planning Services are dedicated to serving some of the finest families in America. These clients often have complex lives, bustling schedules, and a need for comprehensive financial oversight. With assets typically ranging between 3 and 5 million dollars, these individuals are not only focused on their financial growth but also on leaving a lasting impact through philanthropy and legacy-building.

One of the standout points of the discussion was the unique relationship Playfair Planning Services fosters with law firms. Kim emphasized the importance of preparing clients for their legal consultations. By organizing clients' financial documents and ensuring they ask the right questions, attorneys can focus on providing top-notch legal advice rather than administrative tasks. This preparation is a testament to the firm's commitment to efficiency and client service.

To learn more about Kim's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Audrey Ehrhardt's work at Practice42, check out her website at https://practice42.com/.