Most people think a will keeps their family out of probate. It doesn’t. A will is a set of instructions for the probate judge. Your family still goes through court. That’s why a will is only half the estate plan.

Prince left no will. Aretha Franklin’s family found handwritten papers under her couch cushions. Both estates spent years in court. Your estate may be smaller, but the same problems can still show up for your family.

In this episode, Stewart Smith, LUTCF®, RICP® and Mitch Davies, CFP® keep estate planning simple. They explain what probate is and what happens in South Carolina when someone dies with no will. They also cover why a living revocable trust may be the easiest way to skip probate, and what that trust can’t do until you fund it.

Funding means moving your house and accounts into the trust.

In This ClearPath Retirement Radio Episode:
→ Probate: what it is and why a will doesn’t skip it
→ No will in South Carolina: why the state’s split may not be the one you’d choose
→ Waiting: why a house may sit tied up while the bills keep coming
→ Other states: why a second home may mean a second probate
→ Living revocable trust: what it is and why you keep control
→ Incapacity: who steps in if you can’t make your own decisions
→ Control: how a trust can pay out over time instead of all at once
→ Privacy: why probate is public and a trust is not
→ Who may not need a trust: accounts with named beneficiaries
→ Funding: why a trust does nothing until your house and accounts are in it
→ Pour-over will: the backup will built into the trust
→ Mortgage and insurance: the two phone calls to make first
→ Old wills: why a will that’s 22 years old may be a problem
→ Beneficiary review: the first step anyone can take this week

Timestamps:
→ [00:00] Prince Left No Will
→ [01:36] What “Estate” Really Means
→ [02:54] Who Gets What Without a Will
→ [05:59] A Will Doesn’t Skip Probate
→ [08:48] One Mountain House, Two Probates
→ [10:24] The Simple Fix
→ [13:44] Who Decides If You Can’t?
→ [15:51] Control Your Money After You’re Gone
→ [17:24] Probate Is Public. Trusts Aren’t.
→ [18:45] Do You Actually Need One?
→ [22:32] A Trust Does Nothing Until Funded
→ [24:37] Revocable vs. Irrevocable
→ [26:25] Mortgage? Call Your Insurer
→ [29:03] Is Your Will Too Old?
→ [32:26] Who Is Your Successor Trustee?
→ [34:48] Start With a Beneficiary Review

Taxes and estate planning go hand in hand. Our free virtual event on moving money to a Roth account is available here https://event.webinarjam.com/channel/clearpath

Ready to build your retirement plan?

ClearPath Retirement Planning, LLC helps retirees and pre-retirees in the SC area create tax-efficient strategies for retirement income.

📍 300 Executive Center Drive, Suite 104 | Greenville, SC 29615
📞 (864) 775-5033

Schedule your ClearPath Retirement Review today www.clearpathretirement.com

Subscribe & Connect:
YouTube: @ClearPathRetirementPlanning
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearPathRetirement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearpathretirement

Important Disclosure:

Investment advisory services offered through Alphastar Capital Management, LLC, a SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Fixed insurance products are offered through Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC and Alphastar Capital Management is not involved in the offer, recommendation, sale or management of commission-based fixed Insurance products. Alphastar Capital Management and Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC are separate ...

As you approach retirement or as a retiree, have you ever said this to yourself...

“My neighbor has $2 million saved. I only have half that. Am I behind?”

“Every ad I see asks if $2 million is enough. Is it enough for me?”

“Am I making the right choices? Am I picking the right investments?”

If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

“Have I saved enough?” is the question Stewart Smith and Mitch Davies hear more than any other. But it may be the wrong one to ask.

Your neighbor’s number, a headline, or a YouTube video can’t tell you much about your own retirement. Your own numbers can.

In this episode, Stewart and Mitch go through the questions that matter more.

→ Your monthly number: what your basic bills cost versus your fun money
→ Income sources: pensions, IRAs, and when Social Security starts
→ Healthcare: why retiring before 65 can make it one of your biggest costs
→ Taxes: why they may not drop once the paychecks stop
→ Lifestyle: why your neighbor’s retirement may look nothing like yours
→ AI tools: what ChatGPT can’t know about your situation
→ Life changes: why a one-time plan can go out of date in months
→ The better question: what do you want retirement to look like, and what will it cost?

Timestamps:
→ [00:00] The Question That Keeps You Up
→ [02:40] Start With Your Monthly Number
→ [03:50] Where Your Paycheck Comes From
→ [05:15] The Cost Nobody Plans For
→ [07:10] Taxes Don’t Retire With You
→ [09:15] Your Neighbor Lives Differently
→ [11:50] The Family Vacation Test
→ [12:45] What ChatGPT Can’t Know
→ [18:15] Why One-Time Plans Go Stale
→ [21:15] Don’t Retire to a Full-Time Job
→ [22:55] The Better Question to Ask

With Stewart Smith, LUTCF®, RICP®, and Mitch Davies of ClearPath Retirement Planning.

Ready to build your retirement plan?

ClearPath Retirement Planning, LLC helps retirees and pre-retirees in the SC area create tax-efficient strategies for retirement income.

📍 300 Executive Center Drive, Suite 104 | Greenville, SC 29615
📞 (864) 775-5033

Schedule your ClearPath Retirement Review today www.clearpathretirement.com

Subscribe & Connect:
YouTube: @ClearPathRetirementPlanning
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearPathRetirement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearpathretirement

Important Disclosure:

Investment advisory services offered through Alphastar Capital Management, LLC, a SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Fixed insurance products are offered through Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC and Alphastar Capital Management is not involved in the offer, recommendation, sale or management of commission-based fixed Insurance products. Alphastar Capital Management and Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC are separate ...

In this episode of ClearPath Retirement Radio, Stewart Smith, LUTCF®, RICP® and Mitch Davies of ClearPath Retirement Planning in Greenville, South Carolina, explain why the advisor who helped you save for retirement may not be the right fit for turning your savings into income.

If you’re retiring in a year or two, you may have wondered...

“Would moving money into a Roth account help me save on taxes?”

“I feel loyal to my advisor. How could I ever tell them I’m moving my money elsewhere?”

“We talk once a year. They show me how my investments did. Is that enough now that I’m retiring?”

If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

You spent years building your savings. Now you need that money to turn into income. The advisor who helped you save may have been built mainly for one job. Retirement income is a different job.

Quick Answers:

Why might my longtime advisor not be the right fit in retirement?
Many advisors are built to help you save and grow money. Retirement income is a different job. It includes tax planning, Social Security timing, Medicare, and turning savings into income. Stewart and Mitch say an advisor who is great at growing money may not focus on those questions.

What is the retirement red zone?
The retirement red zone is the stretch right before and early in retirement. New questions show up. Have I saved enough? When do I start Social Security? What Medicare plan fits me?

Is it disloyal to change advisors?
Stewart and Mitch say no. Your advisor may have done a great job helping you grow your money. You may now be in a new phase that needs a different skill set.

What is a good tax question to ask my advisor?
Ask when they last went through your tax return with you. Stewart says many people who come to ClearPath from another advisor tell him the answer is never.

Do Roth conversions always make sense?
No. A Roth conversion means moving pre-tax money into a Roth account and paying the tax now. Stewart and Mitch say whether a Roth conversion fits depends on your goals, such as paying less tax or leaving tax-free money to your heirs.

In This Episode:
→ Family doctor comparison: when a specialist makes sense
→ Taxes: what changes when the paycheck stops and you pull from IRAs
→ Reviews: why a plan may need updates every year, like when a new roof changes your plans
→ One team: why your tax planning and your tax return may work best with people who talk to each other

Timestamps:
→ [00:00] When Loyalty Meets the Red Zone
→ [02:05] Saving vs. Income: Two Jobs
→ [03:06] Family Doctor or Specialist?
→ [04:06] Loyalty Without the Guilt
→ [06:11] When the W-2 Goes Away
→ [08:13] The Once-a-Year Investment Call
→ [09:17] The Tax Return Question
→ [10:23] When Roth Rules Don’t Fit
→ [14:29] Planning Is Year-Round Work
→ [15:31] The New Roof Problem
→ [18:32] Planning and Taxes, One Team
→ [24:43] It’s Okay to Move On

Catch ClearPath Retirement Radio every Saturday at 10 AM or find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Call 864-775-5033 or visit clearpathretirement.com to schedule a conversation.

Ready to build your retirement plan?

ClearPath Retirement Planning, LLC helps retirees and pre-retirees in the SC area create tax-efficient strategies for retirement income.

📍 300 Executive Center Drive, Suite 104 | Greenville, SC 29615
📞 (864) 775-5033

Schedule your ClearPath Retirement Review today www.clearpathretirement.com

Subscribe & Connect:
YouTube: @ClearPathRetirementPlanning
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearPathRetirement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearpathretirement

Important Disclosure:

Investment advisory services offered through Alphastar Capital Management, LLC, a SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Fixed insurance products are offered through Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC and Alphastar Capital Management is not involved in the offer, recommendation, sale or management of commission-based fixed Insurance products. Alphastar Capital Management and Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC are separate ...

Most people think a Roth conversion comes down to one question: will my tax rate be lower later? That question matters, but it is only the start.

Some of the biggest surprises show up on your tax return and your Medicare bill, sometimes two years after you convert.

In this episode, Stewart Smith and Mitch Davies walk through what to think about before you convert. They explain why the simple "pay tax now or pay tax later" math may miss the point, and where people get tripped up. Whether you are turning 63, already retired, or just starting to wonder if a conversion makes sense, this could help you ask better questions before you act.

In This Episode, 5 Things to Think Through:

• Tax rates: why the real goal may be a lower bracket later, not a break-even spreadsheet
• Medicare: IRMAA explained in plain words, and how the two-year look back works
• Standard deduction: how the extra senior deduction can be lost by going a little over the line
• Other income: why dividends, interest, and capital gains count too
• The long view: why this needs a plan that looks past this year, including the years before required withdrawals begin

Timestamps:
[00:00] The Bill That Arrives Later
[00:44] Roth Conversions Aren't for Everyone
[01:50] Will Taxes Only Go Up?
[04:43] Why Break-Even Math Misleads
[06:01] Filling Up Your Tax Bracket
[09:06] The Medicare Surcharge Surprise
[11:53] The Couple Nobody Warned
[16:46] The Standard Deduction Trap
[19:59] Model It Past Today
[23:37] The Years Before Required Withdrawals
[25:05] Hidden Income That Pushes You Over

Ready to build your retirement plan?

ClearPath Retirement Planning, LLC helps retirees and pre-retirees in the SC area create tax-efficient strategies for retirement income.

📍 300 Executive Center Drive, Suite 104 | Greenville, SC 29615
📞 (864) 775-5033

Schedule your ClearPath Retirement Review today www.clearpathretirement.com

Subscribe & Connect:
YouTube: @ClearPathRetirementPlanning
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearPathRetirement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearpathretirement

Important Disclosure:

Investment advisory services offered through Alphastar Capital Management, LLC, a SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Fixed insurance products are offered through Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC and Alphastar Capital Management is not involved in the offer, recommendation, sale or management of commission-based fixed Insurance products. Alphastar Capital Management and Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC are separate ...

As you approach retirement or as a retiree, have you ever said this to yourself...

"What am I gonna do, just sleep and watch TV all day?"

"If I stop working, my brain's gonna slow down."

"I'll just keep working, I guess. I don't know what else I'd do."

If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

Stewart Smith and Mitch Davies step away from the usual playbook this week to explore something Stewart has never talked about on the show before: his faith, and what the Bible actually says about retirement.

After hearing a lecture at a faith-driven conference in Houston, Stewart couldn't stop thinking about one question. Does scripture say anything about retiring at all? He and Mitch dug in, and what they found changes the whole way you might think about this next chapter of life.

In This Episode:
→ The one direct mention of retirement in the entire Bible, found in Numbers 8
→ Why the Levites stepped back at 50, but never stopped showing up
→ The real difference between retiring "from" work and retiring "to" a new life
→ Why the happiest retirees Stewart has met in 25 years are the ones who stay purposeful, not idle
→ Genesis 2:15 and the surprising truth that work existed before the fall
→ Proverbs 21:20 and what it means to be wise with what you've built
→ Proverbs 13:22 and the idea of leaving something for your children's children
→ Why wealth itself isn't the problem, but loving it is
→ The old saying that stuck with Stewart for 25 years: you're either green and growing, or ripe and rotten

Timestamps:
→ [00:00] Welcome in and the story behind this week's topic
→ [04:17] Does the Bible actually address retirement?
→ [06:10] Numbers 8, the Levites, and stepping back without stepping away
→ [09:10] Retiring "to" a life, not "from" a career
→ [14:21] Genesis 2:15, work before the fall
→ [18:29] Proverbs 21:20, the wise store up
→ [20:50] Proverbs 13:22, leaving an inheritance
→ [23:24] Wealth isn't the sin, loving it is
→ [27:32] Final thoughts and closing out the episode

Stewart Smith, LUTCF®, RICP®, and Mitch Davies, CFP®, share this conversation as neighbors, not preachers, hoping it gives you something to think about as you plan your own next chapter.

Ready to build your retirement plan?

ClearPath Retirement Planning, LLC helps retirees and pre-retirees in the SC area create tax-efficient strategies for retirement income.

📍 300 Executive Center Drive, Suite 104 | Greenville, SC 29615
📞 (864) 775-5033

Schedule your ClearPath Retirement Review today www.clearpathretirement.com

Subscribe & Connect:
YouTube: @ClearPathRetirementPlanning
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearPathRetirement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearpathretirement

Important Disclosure:

Investment advisory services offered through Alphastar Capital Management, LLC, a SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Fixed insurance products are offered through Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC and Alphastar Capital Management is not involved in the offer, recommendation, sale or management of commission-based fixed Insurance products. Alphastar Capital Management and Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC are separate ...

As you approach retirement or as a retiree, have you ever said this to yourself...

"Please protect what I've worked so hard to grow."

"I'd like to see some real growth along the way."

"I'm going to need some income I can count on every month."

If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

Stewart Smith, LUTCF®, RICP® and Mitch Davies, CFP® dig into why retirement feels so scary for so many people and why, in their experience, it usually comes down to working with the wrong advisor — one who leans on fancy jargon and fear instead of a real plan.

In This ClearPath Retirement Radio Episode:
→ The three things almost every client really wants: protect it, grow it, and turn it into income
→ Why some advisors use fear and pressure to sell products, and why that's not how ClearPath operates
→ The emotional side of retirement: stepping away from a career and an identity you've built for decades
→ A simple, real-number example of how investments can cover a monthly income gap without touching your nest egg
→ Getting to know Stewart and Mitch as people, not just advisors
→ Why a retirement plan isn't "set it and forget it," and how ongoing adjustments keep things on track
→ Big news: ClearPath now offers full tax return preparation, joining tax planning, investment planning, and estate planning all under one roof
→ Stewart and Mitch's nonprofit, the Palmetto Financial Freedom Initiative, and how to invite them to speak to your church or community group for free

Timestamps:
→ [00:00] Welcome to another episode
→ [00:31] What scares you about retirement?
→ [01:49] The three things clients really want: protect, grow, income
→ [04:01] Why some advisors talk over your head on purpose
→ [06:18] The corporate tax attorney story
→ [07:21] Preaching fear to sell a product
→ [08:24] Retirement and your identity
→ [12:12] The simple truth about your monthly income gap
→ [15:00] A real example: turning $240,000 into a $2,000 monthly gap solution
→ [16:38] The three types of investments, and why it's not complicated
→ [18:21] Getting to know Mitch
→ [19:53] Getting to know Stewart
→ [22:09] Why a plan is a track to run on, not a "set it and forget it"
→ [24:39] Clients asked for it: ClearPath now does tax returns
→ [25:31] Full-service planning, all under one roof
→ [32:43] The Palmetto Financial Freedom Initiative
→ [34:03] Bring free financial education to your church or group
→ [36:43] Wrap-up

Ready to build your retirement plan?

ClearPath Retirement Planning, LLC helps retirees and pre-retirees in the SC area create tax-efficient strategies for retirement income.

📍 300 Executive Center Drive, Suite 104 | Greenville, SC 29615
📞 (864) 775-5033

Schedule your ClearPath Retirement Review today www.clearpathretirement.com

Subscribe & Connect:
YouTube: @ClearPathRetirementPlanning
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearPathRetirement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearpathretirement

Important Disclosure:

Investment advisory services offered through Alphastar Capital Management, LLC, a SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Fixed insurance products are offered through Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC and Alphastar Capital Management is not involved in the offer, recommendation, sale or management of commission-based fixed Insurance products. Alphastar Capital Management and Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC are separate ...

As you approach retirement or as a retiree, have you ever said this to yourself...

"Am I going to run out of money before I run out of life?"

"When do I start Social Security?"

"Do I have the right Medicare plan?"

If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

Stewart Smith, LUTCF®, RICP®, and Mitch Davies, CFP®, break down exactly what separates a true retirement planning advisor from a general financial advisor and what you should look for (and look out for) before you hire one.

In This ClearPath Retirement Radio Episode:
→ The difference between accumulation planners and retirement distribution planners
→ Why fiduciary status and dual licensing (securities and insurance) matter
→ How to decode advisor designations like CFP, RICP, and CFA
→ Why real-world experience is critical when it comes to retirement planning
→ The exact questions to ask before hiring an advisor
→ Red flags to watch for, including guaranteed returns and pressure tactics
→ What a complete retirement income plan should actually cover

Timestamps:
→ [00:00] Intro
→ [01:53] Two types of financial advisors: accumulation vs. distribution
→ [03:49] Signs your advisor isn't built for retirement planning
→ [07:31] Why fiduciary status and dual licensing matter
→ [09:00] What it really means to be a fiduciary
→ [11:16] Decoding designations: CFP, RICP, and CFA
→ [15:50] Weaker designations to watch out for
→ [18:34] Why experience matters in retirement planning
→ [21:06] Character matters: why military service stands out
→ [25:07] Key questions to ask before hiring an advisor
→ [29:00] Ask about their planning process
→ [31:01] Understanding your custodian
→ [33:19] Breaking down fee structures and hidden fees
→ [38:59] Red flags: urgency, guaranteed returns, and unrealistic promises
→ [42:03] What a complete retirement income plan should include

Ready to build your retirement plan?

ClearPath Retirement Planning, LLC helps retirees and pre-retirees in the SC area create tax-efficient strategies for retirement income.

📍 300 Executive Center Drive, Suite 104 | Greenville, SC 29615
📞 (864) 775-5033

Schedule your ClearPath Retirement Review today www.clearpathretirement.com

Subscribe & Connect:
YouTube: @ClearPathRetirementPlanning
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearPathRetirement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearpathretirement

Important Disclosure:

Investment advisory services offered through Alphastar Capital Management, LLC, a SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Fixed insurance products are offered through Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC and Alphastar Capital Management is not involved in the offer, recommendation, sale or management of commission-based fixed Insurance products. Alphastar Capital Management and Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC are separate ...