The Power of Planning

In this episode of the Power of Planning podcast, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner outlines the top ten tasks on the Trustee's to do list when administering a trust following the death of the individual who established the trust. In doing so, she explains the steps of the trust administration process from start to finish.

In this episode of the Power of Planning podcast, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner outlines the top ten tasks on the Personal Representative’s to do list when probating an estate, and explains the steps of the estate administration process from start to finish.

In this episode of the Power of Planning podcast, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner welcomes Debbie Hoffman, a business law professor at Cleveland State University College of Law, to discuss the growing popularity of cryptocurrency and the unique estate planning challenges it presents.

In this episode of the Power of Planning podcast, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner welcomes Dr. Jenna Gibilaro, who is a pulmonologist, intensivist and internist, to discuss the practical considerations with medical directives such as the Designation of Health Care Surrogate, Living Will and Do Not Resuscitate Order. Dr. Gibilaro explains when and how these advance directives are implemented during the...

For those individuals who have resolved to develop an estate plan in 2025, in this episode of the Power of Planning podcast, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner spotlights the top ten things you should be prepared to discuss during an initial estate planning meeting with an attorney in order to have a productive start to the estate planning process.

During this holiday season of giving, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner welcomes Heather Mount of the Central Florida Foundation’s 100 Women Strong and Madelyn Weed of The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida’s Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle to shine a spotlight on this growing trend in charitable giving. They discuss the significant impact women have on philanthropy and why increasing numbers of...

In this episode of the Power of Planning podcast, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner welcomes Laura Oleck Carras, a retired trust officer from Bank of America with nearly 30 years of trust administration experience, to talk about the role of the Corporate Trustee. They discuss when a Corporate Trustee is considered, the advantages and disadvantages of using a Corporate Trustee, and how a trust is adminis...

In celebration of National Plan a Funeral Day, which takes place each year on October 30th, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner outlines the various options available to help you plan for your funeral. Advance planning can give you peace of mind by educating your loved ones about your final wishes and relieving them of the burden of making arrangements when they are grieving your loss.

In anticipation of National Special Needs Planning Month in October, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner welcomes special guest, Jason Eichenholz, to the Power of Planning podcast to discuss his son’s journey with autism and how it has inspired him to develop the most comprehensive intentional community for adults with autism in Central Florida called Jonathan’s Landing.

Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner continues her discussion about irrevocable trusts by spotlighting the irrevocable life insurance trust (“ILIT”) and the qualified personal residence trust (“QPRT”). She explains when and how these estate planning tools are used, and highlights the benefits of each of these types of trusts.

In this episode of the Power of Planning podcast, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner spotlights two types of irrevocable trusts used for estate tax avoidance purposes that are  especially popular given the impending sunset of the current historically high estate tax exemption amounts. In particular, she discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the spousal lifetime access trust (SLAT) and the irrevoc...

If you are like most Americans, you will be going on vacation this summer. As you make the final preparations for your trip, this is an opportune time for you to ensure you have the necessary estate planning documents in place. Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner reviews a recommended checklist that will give you peace of mind so that you can truly enjoy your travels.

Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner celebrates annual National Elder Law Month by taking a closer look at long-term care insurance. She spotlights the various considerations, including customization and cost, with this type of insurance that provides benefits for a range of services not covered by regular health insurance, Medicare or Medicare supplement insurance.

In celebration of April being National Donate Life Month, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner welcomes Ginny McBride, the Executive Director of OurLegacy, which is the organ procurement organization in Central Florida, for a detailed discussion on organ donation, including the myths and misconceptions. Dr. Ruth Baskerville, a lifelong educator who is a champion for education about organ donation, also sha...

The new year is a perfect time to make sure your financial house is in order, including your insurance coverages. In this episode of the Power of Planning podcast, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner welcomes Drew Havron of HUB Florida for a detailed discussion about the different types of insurance that are an integral part of any estate planning and asset protection conversation.  

Consider taking time out of your holiday preparations and celebrations for some year-end tax planning. In this month’s episode of the Power of Planning podcast, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner welcomes Carol Felsing, a certified public accountant with decades of experience, to share certain tax tips you may want to consider before the close of 2023.   

In celebration of November being National Veterans and Military Families Month, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner welcomes Brad Flournoy, who retired after 22 years of active duty service in the U.S. Marine Corps, to discuss key benefits available for veterans through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These include benefits under the new PACT Act as well as service-connected and non-service conne...

With this year’s Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period underway, which runs October 15th through December 7th, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner welcomes John Kennedy, CFP, who has been doing Medicare planning for 13 years, to provide a detailed roadmap outlining Medicare coverage options, premiums and deductibles.

In this episode of the Power of Planning podcast, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner sits down with nationally syndicated columnist and author, Marni Jameson, to discuss her latest book: What To Do With Everything You Own to Leave the Legacy You Want. Jameson uses her trademark practical wisdom to provide from-the-heart estate planning guidance for everyone, whatever your financial situation.  

Due in large part to the #FreeBritney movement, guardianships have been in the news a lot in recent years. In this month’s episode of the Power of Planning podcast, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner welcomes Orange County Circuit Court Judge Leticia Marques to further shine a spotlight on guardianships and discuss the process in Florida, including recent reforms and how it can be distinguished from the...

In this episode of the Power of Planning podcast, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner will talk about estate planning documents that are important for college-aged children to have in place before heading off to school this fall. She will also discuss the recent jury verdict reached in the Aretha Franklin estate battle and spotlight several more Medicaid planning strategies as a follow-up to the May episo...

In this episode of the Power of Planning podcast, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner, welcomes her litigation partner, Attorney Trippe Cheek, to discuss the most common types of disputes involving estates, trusts, and guardianships, and spotlight some planning considerations to help mitigate the risk of disputes.  Since the recording of this episode, Priscilla Presley has reached a confidential settlemen...

In celebration of National Elder Law Month in May, Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner welcomes legendary broadcast journalist Martie Salt to discuss a variety of legal issues for seniors, including the importance of planning for incapacity, residency considerations and paying for long-term care costs, with a spotlight on Medicare, Veterans Benefits and Medicaid. Please note that the Florida Medicaid plan...

Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner welcomes family law attorney, Lori Caldwell Carr, to discuss the various ways estate planning intersects with family law, including the role of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, receiving an inheritance outright or in a trust, and special planning considerations with a second marriage.

If you are like most Americans, you have worked hard for many years and scrimped and saved to accumulate a certain level of wealth. Attorney Vanessa J. Skinner explains why asset protection planning is an integral part of any estate planning discussion and outlines different techniques that can be considered to protect your nest egg from attack by future potential creditors.