Absolute Trust Talk

A new client recently asked Kirsten a question that resonated: "What can we do so we don't face the same pushback I did when my mom's bank wouldn't accept her power of attorney?" It's a frustration many families face—you have all the right documents, but when it's time to use them, banks and institutions push back. In this quick-tips episode, Kirsten Howe explains why powers of attorney are the most problematic basic estate planning document—not because they're poorly drafted, but because they require acceptance from a third party who doesn't know you to trust that your agent is legitimate. She walks through the bank's perspective on why they hesitate, and shares practical strategies to make sure your documents actually work when you need them most, including re-signing your POA periodically, keeping assets in your trust, and filling out your bank's own power of attorney form. Time-stamped Show Notes: 0:00 Introduction 1:24 The client question that inspired this episode: "What can we do to avoid the hassle I