Death, taxes, and trust funds: your full guide

Death, taxes, and trust funds: your full guide

FULL EPISODE AND SHOW NOTES: www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/trusts-after-death Ever wondered what will happen to your parents' trust after they die? You're not alone.  Most inheritors have the same question.  Unfortunately, there isn't a single straightforward answer.  In this episode, I’m unpacking what happens to a trust at death and what that could mean for you.  Listen, watch, or read to learn: * The difference between a revocable and irrevocable trust  * When a trust does or doesn't get a step-up in basis (+ what the step-up in basis actually is)  * What it means to inherit from a trust versus inheriting assets held in trust If you spend 10 minutes with this episode, you'll know exactly what you’re dealing with. It's a must-listen if you're a grantor, beneficiary, or future trust fund kid.  And if you’re looking for additional resources, grab my free Guide for Trust Fund Kids here: https://sunnybranch.myflodesk.com/trustfundkids [https://sunnybranch.myflodesk.com/trustfundkids] Sunnybranch Wealth LLC (“Sunnybranch Wealth”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Oregon, the State of California, the State of Washington, and in other jurisdictions where exempt. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.

The estate planning traps your attorney didn't tell you (+ how to fix them)

FULL EPISODE AND SHOW NOTES: www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/2026-estate-planning-traps Most rich families think signing their estate documents means the job is done. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. This is just one of the most common estate planning mistakes wealthy families make.  And your attorney isn’t going to warn you about ANY of them.  In this episode, I’m telling you how to avoid the estate planning traps that are going to cost your heirs. We’re breaking down the pitfalls rich people constantly fall into, including: * Overly complicated documents  * Unfunded trusts * The set-it-and-forget-it disaster So you don’t make the same mistakes. Read on to learn how to make your estate plan foolproof. Sunnybranch Wealth LLC (“Sunnybranch Wealth”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Oregon, the State of California, the State of Washington, and in other jurisdictions where exempt. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.

PSA: Your Inheritance Isn't a Retirement Plan (Unless You Want to End Up Broke)

FULL EPISODE AND SHOW NOTES: www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/2026-inheritor-retirement-planning I meet too many future inheritors who have been told they don’t need to save for retirement because they’re going to inherit millions. Here’s the truth: your future inheritance is not a “get out of savings free” card. People in wealthy families need to plan for retirement just like everyone else.  The question is: how do you plan for a future inheritance that isn’t guaranteed? In this episode, I’m breaking down how to build a retirement strategy that works regardless of if, when, or how much you inherit. We’re covering the saving strategies future inheritors often overlook, including: * Taking advantage of Roth accounts (even if you’re a high-income earner) * Maximizing flexibility in a taxable brokerage account * Avoiding the tax traps that can reduce the value of inherited accounts  The goal: a retirement plan where your inheritance is the cherry on top. Sunnybranch Wealth LLC (“Sunnybranch Wealth”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Oregon, the State of California, the State of Washington, and in other jurisdictions where exempt. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.

The 529 Trap Rich Families Need to Avoid

FULL EPISODE AND SHOW NOTES: www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/2026-529-trap Saving for college when you're rich isn't the easy answer everyone thinks it is. It should be as simple as maxing out your 529, right?  Wrong. What looks like a tax advantage could actually be limiting your kid’s future freedom. This episode will tell you everything you need to know to fund your 529 smarter, not harder. When you’re wealthy, it’s not about avoiding student debt. It’s about maximizing flexibility and taking advantage of strategies like: * UTMA accounts * Earmarked brokerage accounts  * Dynasty 529s (but be sure and think this one through) Check out this episode before putting another dollar into your 529. Sunnybranch Wealth LLC (“Sunnybranch Wealth”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Oregon, the State of California, the State of Washington, and in other jurisdictions where exempt. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.

The Gift Tax Rule Your Parents Don't Know (& how it could be costing you millions)

FULL EPISODE AND SHOW NOTES: www.sunnybranchwealth.com/blog/gift-tax-rules Confused about how the annual gift limit works? You’re not alone. If you’re an inheritor (or the parent of a rich kid), you may have fallen victim to this common misconception about the annual gift tax rules.  Which means you could be missing out on a MAJOR gifting opportunity. The good news? You can pass down millions without ever owing a dime to the IRS. In this week’s episode, I explain what the gift tax exemption actually is, how it works, and strategies to get more money to the next generation without giving anything to the IRS Learn what you need to know about: * Gift tax returns * Gift-splitting * The lifetime gift tax exemption So you’re never limited by this rule again. This is the episode your parents need to hear. Sunnybranch Wealth LLC (“Sunnybranch Wealth”) is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in the State of Oregon, the State of California, the State of Washington, and in other jurisdictions where exempt. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information on this site is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This information should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. Past performance is no indication of future results. Investment in securities involves significant risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. It should not be assumed that any recommendations made will be profitable or equal any performance noted on this site.