Loss is difficult to consider, but planning for it is one of the most important acts of love for your family.
What happens to your spouse if you pass away unexpectedly? How can you ensure their financial stability and protect them from overwhelming decisions during an emotional time?
In this episode, Mark Taylan begins a two-part series on estate planning and financial preparedness. He walks through the three essential components every spouse needs to consider: income protection, simplicity in transition, and safeguarding against costly mistakes. Mark shares practical steps for creating a clear financial roadmap that protects your loved ones when they need it most.
Mark discusses:
How losing Social Security or pension income impacts household finances after a spouse passes away
Creating a comprehensive list of accounts, bills, and action items for the surviving spouse to follow
Why one person often serves as the family CFO, and what happens when that person is gone unexpectedly
Modern challenges like computer passwords and digital access that many couples overlook completely
The three key people to contact immediately, and how to prepare your spouse for a smooth transition
Many people avoid thinking about life insurance, believing they’re invincible or that it’s too expensive. But what happens to your family if the unexpected occurs?
How do you determine the right coverage amount? When is the best time to secure a policy? And what makes term insurance different from other options?
In this episode, Mark Taylan breaks down term life insurance and why it’s one of the most important financial protections for young families and working professionals. He shares personal stories about how term insurance has made the difference between financial security and hardship, and walks through the practical steps anyone can take to protect their loved ones.
Mark discusses:
Why your ability to earn income is likely your most valuable asset, not your house or investments
How to calculate the right coverage amount based on mortgage, expenses, and family needs today
The conversion feature that lets you switch term policies to permanent coverage without new health exams
Real stories of families who were protected because they planned ahead and those who weren’t prepared
Three immediate steps to take if you don’t currently have life insurance coverage in place
The greatest wealth transfer in history is already underway, and for many families, it’s about more than just money. It’s about legacy, values, and trust.
In this episode, Mark Taylan breaks down what the Great Wealth Transfer really means for families as trillions move from baby boomers to the next generation. He shares how intentional estate planning, gifting strategies, and honest family conversations can prevent conflict, preserve relationships, and ensure that wealth creates a positive impact across generations.
Mark discusses:
How to start the right conversations about inheritance and gifting before it’s too late
The importance of transparency and documented estate plans to avoid family disputes
Why every wealth transfer should include a plan for passing on values, not just assets
Real-world strategies to gift wisely, reduce taxes, and support loved ones responsibly
When it comes to protecting your legacy, most families don’t realize how costly estate planning mistakes can be until it’s too late.
In this episode, Mark Taylan sits down with estate planning attorney Barbara Pretlove to unpack the real-world risks of skipping or mishandling your trust planning. From avoiding probate nightmares to understanding the difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts, Barbara shares real stories from the courtroom and the cattle ranch (yes, really) that reveal why clarity in your documents is everything.
They dive into:
Why wills alone don’t avoid probate in California
The #1 mistake families make with trusts
How to protect minor children without triggering guardianship court
Why blended families need extra care in trust planning
Barbara Pretlove moved to Morgan Hill as a child and graduated from Live Oak High School in 2001. She left Morgan Hill and moved to San Diego to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree in Film and Television. Upon obtaining her degree, she moved to Los Angeles and started her own Film Production company along with her cousin and two other College classmates. Barbara spent a year as an associate producer for multiple music videos and commercials before deciding to return to school to obtain her law degree. In 2012, Barbara graduated with her Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law in San Diego and returned to Northern California to begin her law career. Barbara has worked in the estate planning, trusts, and probate area of law for over 11 years and is recognized as a California Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration.
Life insurance is a conversation many avoid, but it’s one of the most important tools for protecting your loved ones and the life you’ve built.
In this episode, Mark Taylan sits down with Dorotea Tuzon, a State Farm Agent from Northern California, for a candid conversation on life insurance; how it works, why it matters, and the real stories that prove its value. Dorotea offers practical tips on finding coverage that truly fits your life.
Key highlights include:
How to protect both your assets and your family’s financial stability
The differences between term and permanent insurance, and when each makes sense
The role of income replacement in your coverage plan
Real client stories that highlight the impact of getting insured at the right time
About Our Guest: Dorotea Tuzon is a State Farm Agent based in Mota, California. With over eight years in the insurance industry, she leads a team serving thousands of clients, helping them protect what matters most through customized coverage and ongoing guidance.
Bringing up a prenup doesn’t have to kill the romance. It can actually create a stronger foundation.
In this episode, Mark Taylan welcomes back Yau Lee, a family attorney based in San Francisco, to talk about the emotional, legal, and financial aspects of premarital agreements. They discuss how to approach the prenup conversation with compassion, what to avoid, and how planning ahead can strengthen, not hinder, a couple’s relationship.
Yau debunks common myths (like “prenups are only for the wealthy”), offers real client stories, and explains the importance of legal consultation for both parties, especially in second marriages or blended family situations. The episode highlights how early and honest communication about finances and legacy planning can be a sign of trust and commitment, not conflict.
Yau discusses:
How to bring up a prenup in a way that builds trust instead of breaking it
What changes when couples bring unequal assets, children, or prior marriages into the equation
Why each partner needs their own legal counsel and what mistakes to avoid
How estate planning and divorce protection differ (and why both matter)
What a successful, respectful prenup process actually looks like from first conversation to signed agreement
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 it 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 crafts 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 is also an endurance athlete, having participated in more than 10 marathons and six half Ironman distance triathlons. Training for and racing these events has given her the fortitude to remain calm in stressful situations, think on her feet, make predictions, trust the process, and plan for success. Swimming in the open ocean with 14-foot swells or gunning down a hill on your bike at more than 40 miles per hour will give you nerves of steel.
