In this Season One finale, estate attorney Derek Jensen goes solo to break down Washington State's changing tax landscape and why most families remain dangerously unprotected despite the new laws.

On July 1st, Washington's top estate tax rate drops from 35% to 20%. That sounds like good news. But the exemption is also pulling back, the gap between Washington's $3M threshold and the federal $15M exemption hasn't changed, and an estimated 100,000–150,000 Washington households are still caught in the middle.

Derek unpacks Washington's "Tax Stack" — the only state in the country with estate tax, capital gains tax, and an income tax all aimed at accumulated wealth. He shares why outdated plans are quietly creating expensive problems, what a "right-sized" plan actually looks like at 35 versus 55, and what three forces (the $124 trillion wealth transfer, rising fiscal pressure, and UBI policy) tell us about where this is all heading.

And he ends where the show began: with his own family, the lake property, and a confession — that even after years of advising families through this, he's still in the middle of it himself.

"You don't wait for consensus. You don't wait for the perfect legislative environment. You started anyway."

Resources mentioned: WashingtonEstateTax.com: calculator, Washington tax breakdown, what changed July 1st

Learn more about Who Gets What?: https://whogetswhat.fm/ 

This podcast is presented by Jensen Estate Law and produced by Marguerite Productions.

Derek sits down with Allison Ferris, Chief Fiduciary Officer at Northwest Trustee and Management Services, to discuss what happens after a trust is established. Allison shares lessons from more than 18 years in fiduciary work, including why she never says, “This will be an easy trust.” They discuss family cabins, unexpected assets, beneficiary emotions, co-trusteeship during incapacity, and why clear, flexible drafting matters so much when a plan may need to work decades from now.

This episode is especially useful for estate planners, trustees, beneficiaries, and anyone who wants their estate plan to hold up in the real world, not just look good on paper.

Learn more about Who Gets What?: https://whogetswhat.fm/ 

This podcast is presented by Jensen Estate Law and produced by Marguerite Productions.

Estate planning is more than trusts and documents. It's about people, values, and the future. In this episode, Derek shares the unexpected lessons from a career of guiding families through wealth transitions. What makes a good trustee? When should you talk to your beneficiaries? And what happens when the plan looks perfect on paper but the people aren't ready? Derek explores the real responsibilities of a fiduciary, the rise of incentive and wellbeing trusts, and why the conversations you have today matter more than the provisions you sign.

Learn more about Who Gets What?: https://whogetswhat.fm/ 

This podcast is presented by Jensen Estate Law and produced by Marguerite Productions.

What happens when the inheritance arrives and nobody prepared the people receiving it? Kristin Keffeler, author of The Myth of the Silver Spoon and co-author of Wealth 3.0, joins Derek to challenge the assumption that wealth transfer is just a financial event. Drawing from her own experience as the daughter of wealth-creating parents, Kristin explores the psychological barriers inheritors face, why a growth mindset matters more than a trust document, and how to start financial conversations with your children before it's too late.

Learn more about Who Gets What?: https://whogetswhat.fm/ 

This podcast is presented by Jensen Estate Law and produced by Marguerite Productions.

What if the most important part of your estate plan isn't the trust — it's the questionnaire? Derek sits down with Tom Flannagan, the estate attorney who inspired Who Gets What?, to explore his comprehensive approach to planning that starts with 14 pages of questions most attorneys never think to ask. They cover risk mitigation, tax strategy, and the surprising details that make a plan actually work, from digital assets to beach passes. 

Learn more about Who Gets What?: https://whogetswhat.fm/ 

This podcast is presented by Jensen Estate Law and produced by Marguerite Productions.

BNY Wealth Advisors Chris Kelly and Chad Johnsrud join host Derek Jensen to address the complex realities of managing inherited wealth, discussing strategies, family values, and the intricacies of estate planning. 

They talk about the importance of planning, seeking professional help, and maintaining family communication to ensure the smooth transfer of wealth across generations. Chris and Chad share stories and insights from their extensive experience, providing listeners with actionable advice to handle wealth and legacy effectively.

Learn more about Who Gets What?: https://whogetswhat.fm/ 

This podcast is presented by Jensen Estate Law and produced by Marguerite Productions.

We’ve all heard the saying “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations”—but why does this happen, and how can your family break the cycle? This episode dives deep into the often-overlooked foundation of lasting wealth: your family’s unique story, values, and relationships.

True wealth continuity is a challenge of human dynamics, not just financial engineering. This episode examines the central, yet frequently ignored, component of successful multi-generational planning: the family narrative.

Learn more about Who Gets What?: https://whogetswhat.fm/ 

This podcast is presented by Jensen Estate Law and produced by Marguerite Productions.

Derek Jensen sits down with Covie Edwards Pitt, author and the creative director of Balentine Partners and the founding director of Balentine's Center for Family Wellbeing. They discuss Covie’s book series 'Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise,' touching on Wealth 3.0 and how best practices in wealth advisory translate to real life. 

Covie shares the important lessons learned from her book series — the complexities of nurturing children amid newfound wealth, the role of spousal partnerships in managing family wealth, and building inclusive, meaningful family traditions that can transcend generations.

Check out Covie’s ‘Healthy, Wealthy and Wise’ collection: https://www.healthywealthywisecollection.com/raised  

Learn more about Who Gets What?: https://whogetswhat.fm/ 

This podcast is presented by Jensen Estate Law and produced by Marguerite Productions.

Caleb Breakey, founder of Renowned Publishing, joins Derek Jensen for a conversation on the most powerful legacy-building tool we all possess: our story. Having guided over 200 people in transforming their lives into books, Caleb reveals why storytelling isn't just for authors; it's a sacred practice for anyone who wants their wisdom, values, and experiences to endure.

Check out Renowned Publishing: https://www.renownpublishing.com/begin 

Learn more about Who Gets What?: https://whogetswhat.fm/ 

This podcast is presented by Jensen Estate Law and produced by Marguerite Productions.

What is the true purpose of wealth? Is it independence, security, or leaving a mark? 

Financial philosopher and CEO & Founder of Sound Financial Group Paul Adams joins Derek Jensen for a profound conversation that moves way beyond the spreadsheet. They explore how to build a legacy defined not by the size of an inheritance, but by the strength of the values behind it. Paul shares why financial independence is the bedrock of honest advice, how to have transparent money conversations that actually stick with the next generation, and why preparing your heirs for responsibility is the ultimate act of love. 

Check out Paul’s podcast, ‘More Than Commas’: https://sfgway.com/podcast-blog/ 

And learn more about Sound Financial Group: https://sfgway.com/ 

Learn more about Who Gets What?: https://whogetswhat.fm/ 

This podcast is presented by Jensen Estate Law and produced by Marguerite Productions.