Podcast

Hosted by Christopher E. Botti, Esq., a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law, Plan on It is a new podcast series dedicated to making estate planning understandable, approachable, and truly actionable.

Each 20-minute episode focuses on one key topic. From living trusts and beneficiary mistakes to incapacity planning, tax considerations, long-term care strategies, and more. Chris brings decades of expertise and a passion for educating families, offering clear explanations, real-world examples, and insights you won’t find in typical legal content.

Whether you’re starting your estate plan, updating existing documents, or simply want to make informed decisions for your loved ones, Plan on It gives you the knowledge and confidence to move forward.

New episodes are released regularly. Listen, learn, and—most importantly—plan on it.

In this episode of Plan on it, host Sean O’Connor and Attorney Christopher E. Botti delve into the intricacies of Medi-Cal Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs). With over 30 years of experience in estate planning, Chris explains how these irrevocable trusts can safeguard assets like homes and savings from being counted towards Medi-Cal eligibility. He highlights the critical differences between MAPTs and revocable living trusts, emphasizing the importance of appointing a “friendly trustee” to manage assets. Chris also discusses common misconceptions about these trusts, the importance of early planning, and how to avoid costly mistakes. Listeners will gain valuable insights into protecting their assets and ensuring long-term care needs are met without unnecessary financial burdens.

Attorney Christopher E. Botti hosted a live Q&A on August 26, 2026 addressing common estate planning questions. The discussion covered important topics such as wills and trusts, probate avoidance, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, incapacity planning, beneficiary designations, updating an estate plan, and common planning mistakes. The conversation provided practical information to help individuals and families better understand their options and make informed decisions about protecting their assets and preparing for the future.

In this episode of Plan on it, attorney Christopher E. Botti, a board-Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, joins host Sean O’Connor to answer listener questions about estate planning. Christopher discusses the necessity of trusts, particularly in California, to avoid probate, and when a basic estate plan might suffice. He explains the interplay between trusts and beneficiary designations on accounts like life insurance and retirement plans, emphasizing the importance of aligning asset titling with estate plans to prevent probate and disputes. Christopher also touches on asset protection, the validity of handwritten wills, and resolving family disagreements over estate intentions. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of estate planning fundamentals and the importance of proactive planning to ensure peace of mind.

In this episode of Plan On It, attorney Christopher E. Botti and guest Chris Michail join host Sean O’Connor to explore the intricacies of Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs). With over 30 years of experience, Chris Botti delves into the mechanics of GRATs, explaining their role in advanced estate planning for high-net-worth families. Chris Michail adds depth to the discussion by highlighting how GRATs can be used to transfer wealth without incurring estate or gift taxes, especially when dealing with highly appreciable assets like pre-IPO stocks or concentrated stock holdings. The episode provides listeners with a clear understanding of when and why to consider a GRAT, the potential tax benefits, and the strategic role it plays in a comprehensive estate plan. This episode is essential for anyone looking to protect and efficiently transfer their wealth to future generations.

In this episode of Plan On It, host Sean O’Connor is joined by attorney Christopher E. Botti and guest Chris Michail to kick off a new advanced planning series. With over 30 years of experience, Chris Botti, a board-certified specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law, teams up with Chris Michail, who focuses on advanced estate planning strategies for high net worth families. They delve into the distinctions between regular and advanced estate planning, emphasizing the importance of minimizing tax liabilities and ensuring wealth transfer to future generations. The discussion highlights the significance of estate and gift taxes, especially for estates exceeding $15 million for individuals and $30 million for couples. This episode provides valuable insights into the complexities of advanced estate planning and sets the stage for future episodes that will explore specific strategies in greater detail. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how to protect their assets and plan effectively for the future.

In this episode of Plan on It, host Sean O’Connor sits down with Attorney Christopher Botti, a board-Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, to unravel the complexities of the Medi-Cal look back rule. Christopher, with over 30 years of experience, explains the intricacies of California’s unique 30-month look back period, distinguishing it from the five-year period common in other states. They discuss the importance of understanding exempt versus non-exempt assets and how improper asset transfers can lead to penalties. Christopher shares insights on how to navigate these rules effectively, emphasizing the role of timing and proper planning in avoiding costly mistakes. The episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to protect their assets while planning for long-term care, offering valuable strategies to ensure compliance with Medi-Cal regulations.

In this episode of Plan On It, Estate Planning Attorney Chris Botti and co-host Sean O’Connor delve into listener-submitted questions about estate planning. They clarify the roles of trustees and executors, explore the costs associated with trust administration, and discuss the importance of transparency and communication with beneficiaries. Chris explains the steps a trustee should take when a trustor passes away and the legal implications of divorce on existing trusts. The episode also covers the necessity of updating trusts in light of new laws and how to handle situations when a trustee is unreachable. This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone involved in estate planning, ensuring listeners are well-equipped to manage their responsibilities and protect their assets.

In this episode of Plan On It, Estate Planning Attorney Chris Botti delves into the intricacies of Medi-Cal rules for married couples. With over 30 years of experience in estate planning, Chris explains the importance of understanding spousal impoverishment rules, which are designed to protect families from financial ruin when one spouse requires long-term care. They discuss the community spousal resource allowance and how it helps preserve assets, as well as the common misconceptions about asset limits and eligibility. Chris emphasizes the importance of having a Medi-Cal compliant estate plan to avoid costly mistakes and ensure financial security. Listeners will gain valuable insights into protecting their assets and planning effectively for potential long-term care needs.

In this episode of Plan On It, Chris Botti dives into critical estate planning questions submitted by listeners. They explore why estate planning is crucial at any age, especially when children are involved, and the common pitfall of procrastination. Chris explains the importance of properly funding a trust and selecting the right trustee, offering insights into potential pitfalls like co-trustee disagreements. The discussion also covers the risks of naming beneficiaries directly on accounts versus using a trust, and the complications of conservatorship if one becomes incapacitated without a plan. Listeners gain valuable knowledge on maintaining and updating estate plans, even when moving across state lines, ensuring peace of mind and protection for their assets and loved ones.

In this episode of Plan On It, Attorney Christopher Botti, a board-certified specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law, joins host Sean O’Connor to discuss the intricacies of estate planning costs. Chris breaks down the components of a comprehensive estate plan, explaining how careful planning can prevent larger expenses in the future. He emphasizes the value of hiring a specialized attorney over using online templates, highlighting the importance of personalized advice and life experience in crafting effective plans.

In this inaugural episode of the “Ask Chris Anything” Chris Botti tackles common questions about estate planning and living trusts. Chris, a board-certified specialist with over 30 years of experience, clarifies the differences between a will and a living trust, emphasizing the importance of avoiding probate in California. He discusses the appropriate age to create a trust, the process of updating it, and the timeline for establishing one. Chris also explains the significance of transferring assets like real estate into a trust and the role of a power of attorney. This episode provides listeners with practical insights into managing their estate effectively, ensuring their assets are protected and efficiently transferred to heirs.

In this episode, Attorney Christopher Botti discusses the importance of a comprehensive estate plan for California families. He emphasizes the synergy of key documents like living trusts, powers of attorney, and the impact of procrastination on estate planning. The conversation delves into simplifying the process for clients and focusing on critical components to ensure a smooth estate planning journey.

In this episode of Plan On It, Attorney Christopher Botti delves into the crucial topic of incapacity planning in estate law. He explains the significance of powers of attorney and advanced directives in ensuring families can manage affairs when a loved one is unable to do so. From defining incapacity in the estate planning context to detailing the legal authority behind power of attorney and advanced healthcare directives, Chris sheds light on the essential components of a comprehensive estate plan.

In this episode of Plan on It Chris Botti explains the concept of a revocable living trust, emphasizing its flexibility and control while alive. He clarifies the key differences between a trust and a will, highlighting the significant advantage of avoiding probate through proper estate planning. Chris also discusses the importance of funding the trust correctly to ensure its effectiveness in asset distribution.

In this episode, Chris Botti discusses the recent changes in the Medi-Cal rules and their impact on long-term care planning. He explains the return of asset limits and the reintroduction of look back rules, emphasizing the need for careful planning and self-assessment to maintain eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits.

Chris Botti discusses the intricacies of joint tenancy in California, highlighting its benefits, pitfalls, and potential complications for families. He explains how joint tenancy functions, its tax and estate planning implications, and the importance of proper planning to avoid probate and protect assets.

In this episode, attorney Chris Botti discusses the critical reasons Californians opt to create trusts to sidestep the costly, time-consuming, and public nature of probate proceedings. He delves into the intricacies of probate, its detrimental aspects, misconceptions around wills, and the advantages of establishing a revocable living trust to avoid probate while ensuring family control and privacy.

In this episode, attorney Chris Botti delves into the crucial aspects of long-term care estate planning, emphasizing its significance for California families. He highlights the integration of long-term care provisions into traditional estate plans and the importance of planning for incapacity alongside end-of-life arrangements.

In this episode, Chris Botti discusses the significant Medi-Cal changes set to take effect in 2026 and their impact on California families planning for long-term care. He delves into the asset assessment, asset test, look back period, and how these changes will affect eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits.