The 8-Minute Estate Planner

Episode 10 — Special Needs Trusts: What Families Must Know Providing for a loved one with disabilities requires careful planning and a clear understanding of how public benefits work. In this episode of The Eight-Minute Estate Planner, attorney Dusty King explains why leaving money outright to a special-needs beneficiary can unintentionally disqualify them from essential government benefits. Learn how special needs trusts are designed to preserve eligibility while enhancing quality of life, the importance of coordinating beneficiary designations, and common mistakes families make when planning for disabled loved ones. This episode is essential listening for parents, grandparents, and caregivers who want to protect both their loved one’s financial future and access to vital support programs.

Episode 9 — Estate Planning for Parents of Minor Children If you have minor children, estate planning is about far more than distributing assets—it is about protecting your family and providing stability if the unexpected happens. In this episode of The Eight-Minute Estate Planner, attorney Dusty King explains the unique estate planning issues parents face, including naming guardians, managing inherited assets, and avoiding court involvement. Learn why leaving money outright to children can create serious problems, how trusts can provide structure and protection, and what happens when parents fail to plan. This episode offers practical guidance for parents who want to ensure their children are cared for according to their values, not default court rules.

Episode 8 — Beneficiary Designations: The Silent Estate Plan Many of your most valuable assets may not be controlled by your will or trust at all. In this episode of The Eight-Minute Estate Planner, attorney Dusty King explains why beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and financial accounts often function as a “silent estate plan.” Learn how outdated or improperly structured beneficiaries can unintentionally override your estate plan, create tax problems, or disinherit loved ones. This episode highlights common mistakes, explains how beneficiary designations should be coordinated with your overall plan, and offers practical insight into one of the most overlooked—and most critical—parts of estate planning.

Episode 7 — Choosing Your Executor, Trustee, and Power Agent Selecting the right people to carry out your estate plan can be just as important as the documents themselves. In this episode of The Eight-Minute Estate Planner, attorney Dusty King explains the distinct roles of executors, trustees, and agents under powers of attorney—and why choosing the wrong person can create delays, conflict, and costly mistakes. Learn what qualities actually matter when making these decisions, common pitfalls families encounter, and when it may make sense to consider a professional or corporate fiduciary. This episode provides practical guidance to help you choose the right decision-makers before a crisis occurs.

Episode 6 — What Happens If You’re Alive but Incapacitated? Estate planning is not just about what happens after death—it is also about what happens if you are still alive but unable to manage your own affairs. In this episode of The Eight-Minute Estate Planner, attorney Dusty King explains the legal and practical consequences of incapacity and why failing to plan can force your family into court-supervised guardianship or conservatorship proceedings. Learn how powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and trusts work together to protect your autonomy, reduce stress on loved ones, and ensure your financial and medical decisions are handled according to your wishes when you cannot speak for yourself.

Revocable living trusts are one of the most common—and most misunderstood—estate planning tools. In this episode of The Eight-Minute Estate Planner, attorney Dusty King breaks down revocable living trusts in plain English, explaining what they are, how they work during your lifetime, and why they have become the backbone of modern estate planning. Learn how a trust can help avoid probate, provide continuity if you become incapacitated, and give your family clarity and control when it matters most. This episode is ideal for working adults, parents, and retirees who want to understand whether a trust belongs in their estate plan.

Many people believe a will avoids probate and takes care of everything after they’re gone. In this episode of The Eight-Minute Estate Planner, attorney Dusty King explains the critical differences between wills and trusts and what actually happens to your property when you die. Learn why a will alone does not avoid probate, how trusts work behind the scenes, and how the way your assets are titled can determine whether your estate is handled privately and efficiently—or publicly through the court system. This episode provides a clear, practical foundation for understanding modern estate planning and why most comprehensive plans use more than just a will.

In this episode of The Eight-Minute Estate Planner, attorney Dusty King explains exactly what a Last Will and Testament is—and what it isn’t. You’ll learn why a Will is considered a “death document,” why it only takes effect after you pass away, and why it must go through the probate court before anything can be distributed. Dusty also clears up common myths about Wills, discusses why having one is still essential, and offers insight into other tools that can work alongside your Will to protect your estate. Whether you already have a Will or are just starting to think about one, this episode will give you a clear, no-nonsense understanding of how it works.

In this episode of the 8 Minute Estate Planner, Dusty King delves into the essentials of crafting an estate plan and the consequences of not having one. The discussion highlights how intestate succession—where the state determines asset distribution—can result in unintended beneficiaries and legal disputes. King emphasizes the importance of planning, especially for those with minor children, to ensure that assets are managed as desired and guardianship issues are clear-cut.

Join Dusty King on the 8 Minute Estate Planner podcast, where you'll receive practical tips and expert advice on estate planning. Dusty, alongside his wife Jennifer, who are both experienced attorneys, shares insights on everything from wills and trusts to Medicaid planning and special needs trusts. With a combined legal experience of nearly 48 years, this podcast aims to equip you with the knowledge to approach estate planning with confidence and efficiency.