In the “New Year, Fresh Start – Taxes” episode of Law and Financial Order, financial advisor Robyn Wolcott and attorney Erin Duques share practical, plain-English tax tips for the new year, joined by special guest James Warner, CFP®, CEO and Lead Wealth Advisor at Warner Wealth and owner of Warner Allred Tax Solutions. The discussion focuses on actionable strategies that can help individuals and families optimize their tax situation, reduce liabilities, and plan effectively for both short- and long-term financial goals. By breaking down complex rules into understandable advice, the hosts make it easier for listeners to see where they might be leaving money on the table—and what steps they can take to fix that.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax situation with a qualified tax advisor.

A Roth IRA offers tax deferral on any earnings in the account. Qualified withdrawals of earnings from the account are tax-free. Withdrawals of earnings prior to age 59 ½ or prior to the account being opened for 5 years, whichever is later, may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax. Limitations and restrictions may apply.

A Roth IRA conversion—sometimes called a backdoor Roth strategy—is a way to contribute to a Roth IRA when income exceeds standard limits. The converted amount is treated as taxable income and may affect your tax bracket. Federal, state, and local taxes may apply. If you’re required to take a minimum distribution in the year of conversion, it must be completed before converting. To qualify for tax-free withdrawals, you must generally be age 59½ and hold the converted funds in the Roth IRA for at least five years. Each conversion has its own five-year period, and early withdrawals may be subject to a 10% penalty unless an exception applies. Income limits still apply for future direct Roth IRA contributions. A Roth IRA offers tax deferral on any earnings in the account. Qualified withdrawals of earnings from the account are tax-free. Withdrawals of earnings prior to age 59 ½ or prior to the account being opened for 5 years, whichever is later, may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax. Limitations and restrictions may apply.

In this episode, Robyn and Erin discuss how to make your home renovation less dramatic, at least for your wallet! Robyn details what a home equity line of credit is (HELOC) and how it may give you the flexibility to complete your project while also offering some extra financial padding in case your project costs more than originally expected. They also discuss what you should steer clear of when rehabbing your home. If you've got a home project on the horizon, you'll want to listen to this!

In this episode of Law and Financial Order, Warner Wealth advisor Robyn Wolcott and attorney Erin Duques sit down with special guest Colleen Masse from Czepiga, Daly, Pope and Perri who specializes in special needs planning and fiduciary services. Colleen helps to break down the world of special needs trusts (funded by the person with a disability) and supplemental needs trusts (funded by others)--- what they are, why they matter, and how they protect essential benefits like Medicaid and SSI.

She explains the real-life impact of strict asset limits, shares how trustees can manage spending (yes, even with a debit card!), and dives into smart ways families can fund these trusts through life insurance, IRAs, and long-term planning.

If you are caring for a loved one with special needs and want to hear about all of your and their options, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Law and Financial Order, Robyn Wolcott and Erin Duques are joined by Warner Wealth's Director of Marketing, Shannon Cushing to discuss how to save more money!

This insightful conversation covers everything from saving for retirement, to budgeting for travel sports, and getting life insurance. The women discuss strategies that have worked for them, and Robyn offers advice to her friends on looking at the whole picture and making informed decisions based on your own unique financial situation.

So grab your coffee, (or your calculator), and get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe question that daily latte habit.

In this episode, we have a VERY special guest. Our very own CEO and Lead Wealth Advisor, James Warner!

James, Robyn, and Erin discuss what to look for in an advisor, how to ask the right questions, and why it's okay not to know all the technical terms.

They suggest that it's important to connect with an advisor who listens, explains clearly, and puts your best interests first. Finding the perfect "fit" in both personality and communication style is super important and, finally, weighing out the value of designations like Certified Financial Planner, CFP® (like James) and what that means as you plan for your financial future.

Another key factor in choosing your financial advisor is the importance of collaboration between your financial, tax, and legal professionals.

Robyn, James, and Erin encourage you not to stress, you don't have to go it alone. The right team will help you make confident, informed decisions and keep your legal lives in good order for years to come. Enjoy this latest episode!

Don't be scared of the A word!

And by 'A word,' we are talking about annuities! In this episode, Robyn and Erin break down the pros and cons of annuities.

Robyn explains that she's had many clients come in very uncertain about annuities and questioning why they even bought an annuity in the first place. However, with professional guidance, these contracts are transformed from confusing paperwork into peace of mind--sometimes even providing much-needed financial security for loved ones facing long-term care or difficult health issues.

Robyn offers a great analogy. Life insurance protects your loved ones if you die too soon; an annuity, on the other hand, is there to protect you if you live a long time. It’s a tool designed to guarantee you won’t outlive your money, providing a steady stream of income in retirement. Listen in as Robyn and Erin go through all the important things you need to know when considering an annuity.

In this episode of "Law and Financial Order," financial advisor Robyn Wolcott and attorney Erin Duques discuss the use of trusts in estate planning. They explore how trusts can be used to protect your assets from potential divorce or creditor issues that your children may face, as well as the differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts and how each can be used for different purposes.

The episode also covers the importance of properly "funding" your trust by retitling your assets in the name of the trust, and the need to regularly review and update your estate plan as your life circumstances and the legal landscape change over time.

Throughout the discussion, Robyn and Erin emphasize the importance of working with a qualified estate planning attorney to ensure that your plan is tailored to your specific needs and goals.