Month: June 2025
How to Prepare for Life Without a Spouse (Ep. 6)

How to Prepare for Life Without a Spouse (Ep. 6)

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Losing a spouse isn’t just an emotional blow; it’s a shift in everything you’ve known and planned for. 

In this episode of Beyond the Dollar Signs, Mark Taylan shares insights from his years of sitting across the table from couples, families, and individuals navigating the complexities of grief. 

It’s about allowing yourself to grieve, not rushing into decisions, and understanding that if you’ve planned, you can find some peace of mind. Mark walks through the key steps you need to take, both emotionally and financially, when a spouse passes: from understanding income changes and revisiting estate plans to knowing who your support system is. 

He shares why it’s critical to have these conversations before loss strikes, because when it does, it’s hard to think clearly. And for those stepping into his office for the first time after a loss, Mark offers steady guidance: take care of what’s immediate, breathe, and know there’s no rush. 

What to expect from this episode:

  • How to prepare for loss before it happens—practically and emotionally
  • What to focus on right now after losing a spouse
  • The importance of family conversations and identifying a support system
  • Why having a financial plan in place brings peace of mind
  • And more!

Connect with Mark Taylan: 

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Legal Must-Knows Before You Say ‘I Do’ with Yau Lee (Ep. 5)

Legal Must-Knows Before You Say ‘I Do’ with Yau Lee (Ep. 5)

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Think a prenup is just for the ultra-wealthy? Think again.

In this eye-opening conversation, family law attorney Yau Lee joins Mark Taylan to demystify the world of prenuptial agreements and why they matter for everyday couples. From legal must-haves to emotional landmines, this episode unpacks the realities behind one of the most misunderstood legal tools in relationships today.

What you’ll learn about in this episode:

  • Dive deep into the often mysterious ‘marriage contract’ and learn what it really entails [00:03:57] 
  • [00:06:03] Discover the importance of being curious and proactive about the financial rules you’re marrying into [00:06:03] 
  • Understand why having separate legal representation is crucial for a prenup [00:09:20] 
  • Explore discussions on family planning and the rights of future children regarding finances [00:16:01]
  • And more!

Connect with Mark Taylan: 

Connect with Yau Lee:

About Our Guest: 

Yau Lee is a Partner and Mediator at Nachlis | Cohade | Lopez-Whitaker, LLP. She practices all aspects of Family Law. Though she is a fierce litigator, she finds that it is always a defining moment when she can settle cases without going to trial because she truly believes that is in the best interest of her client in terms of cost and efficiency. Her dedication to this result has yielded 95 percent of her cases to be settled out of court. Her advocacy happens in the pleadings and negotiations with the opposing counsel. Laying out a thoughtful argument in writing is one of the strongest negotiating tools that she can use to convince the opposing counsel that it is more of a risk to take the case to court.

Yau understands that Family law matters are inherently emotionally charged, and it is important in her approach to not fire up more drama or tension. Emotions won’t get a case heard any better or keep it out of court. Instead, she focuses on how the case aligns with the law and craft a creative agreement that jointly meets the needs of her clients and the opposing party. Although difficult, she is always honest with her clients about the strategic need to work with the opposing side. Her clients appreciate her strong interpersonal communication skills, responsiveness and ability to actively listen.

Yau served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Judge Monica F. Wiley, Judge Lillian K. Sing (retired), and Judge Ronald E. Alberts of the San Francisco Unified Family Court.  She received her Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University School of Law and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, San Diego.

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