Estate planning sounds complicated, but it’s a lot simpler than dealing with the mess of not having a plan. Because if you don’t write one, the government will.

In this episode, VP of Estate Planning at Carson Group, David Haughton, breaks down what it really costs families and business owners when they avoid estate planning. You’ll learn why your estate plan shouldn’t be a one-and-done document, the assets most people don’t realize they have, and how the same tax-saving strategies you hear about billionaires using can work for you too.

Topics discussed:

Introduction (00:00)

David’s career and passion for estate planning (01:45)

Why estate plans are important for everyone (05:57)

Top things people need to know about estate planning (10:35)

What business owners need to know about estate planning (14:15)

David’s asset-by-asset approach to dividing your estate (17:07)

The billionaire estate tax saving strategy (20:53)

How he uses humor to educate people on estate planning (25:00)

Why Carson Group was the right fit (27:09)

What brought you JOY today? (28:37)

Resources:

• Sending your child to college will always be emotional but are you financially ready? Take the College Readiness Quiz for Parents: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/college-readiness-quiz/
• Doing your taxes might not be enJOYable but being more organized can make the process less painful. Get Your Gathering Your Tax Documents Checklist: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mitlin_ChecklistForGatheringYourTaxDocuments_Form_062424_v2.pdf
• Will you be able to enJOY the Retirement you envision? Take the Retirement Ready Quiz: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/retirement-planning-quiz/

Connect with Larry Sprung:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencesprung/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_sprung/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceDSprung/
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/Lawrence_Sprung

Connect with David Haughton:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-haughton-jd-cpwa%C2%AE-2286396a/
• Website: https://www.carsongroup.com

About Our Guest:

David Haughton is the VP of Estate Planning at Carson Group. He helps advisors and high-net-worth families turn complex estate and tax planning challenges into clear, actionable strategies.

He was a former Senior Corporate Counsel at Wealth.com – the industry’s leading estate planning Technology solution for financial professionals. He is also a frequent speaker and writer on financial planning topics, including being featured in such publications as Michael Kitces’ Nerd’s Eye View blog, the Journal of Financial Planning, and InvestmentNews.

Prior to joining Wealth, he worked for Commonwealth Financial Network – helping to provide thought leadership and financial planning support for advisors – including estate, trust, charitable, Education, business, and Social Security planning strategies.

To start his career, he was an attorney in private practice in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. He has experience representing individuals and companies in bankruptcy, as well as engaging with many other general practice areas. For the latter part of his career in private practice, he exclusively practiced in the areas of elder law and estate planning and administration.

Disclosure:

Guests on the Mitlin Money Mindset are not affiliated with CWM, LLC, and opinions expressed herein may not be representative of CWM, LLC. CWM, LLC is not responsible for the guest’s content linked on this site.

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

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Larry Sprung Host Mitlin

Lawrence “Larry” Sprung, CFP® is a husband, father, entrepreneur and mental health advocate.

Larry is the author of the Amazon Bestselling book “Financial Planning Made Personal” and the also host of the Mitlin Money Mindset™ a podcast that reminds you to ask yourself “What did you do today that brought you joy?®”

In 2004 he founded Mitlin Financial, Inc. naming the firm memory of Larry’s wife’s grandfather, Mitchell, and his mother, Linda. During his career, Larry has found that a lot of industry terms and concepts can seem confusing to outsiders. That’s why he works with the families he serves to break down complex financial topics into easy-to-understand concepts.

In recognition of Larry’s significant contributions to his profession, he has received quite a few awards. In 2021, Larry was named to the Investopedia 100 Top Advisors in 2021 and was even more humbled to make their Top Ten list for 2022.

Outside the office, one of Larry’s greatest passions is raising awareness for mental health. He spent over 12 years serving on the National Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and sits on its financial and investment committees. With his wife, Denise, he has raised more than $1.7 million for the organization through the Keith Milano Memorial Fund. The fund was created in memory of his brother-in-law.

Larry values his family tremendously and his desire to do right by his wife and two sons drives who he is in and out of the office.