trusts are essential
Meghan McNulty- Attorney | Trusted Advisor | Fiduciary, shares advice on Estate Planning
“Revocable living trusts are essential for real estate owners in California.” - Meghan Mcnulty
Attorney | Trusted Advisor |Fiduciary
Meghan McNulty, a licensed California attorney specializing in estate planning, outlines a structured three-level approach to estate planning, with a strong emphasis on revocable living trusts as essential for real estate owners in California. This outlined three level approach was discussed on episode, “A Business Owner's Guide to Estate Planning | Why 67% of Americans are Making a Critical Mistake”
Only 24% of Americans have any estate plan, and just 13% include a trust, leaving the majority vulnerable to probate court delays, costs, and family disputes when owning property. Her advice is tailored to homeowners and investors, focusing on avoiding probate (which can take 1+ years and cost 4-7% of estate value) while addressing liability.
Level 1: Basic Documents (Foundation for All Real Estate Owners)
Components:
Will: Directs asset distribution post-death but does not avoid probate—it still requires court filing, even for real estate.
Healthcare Power of Attorney: Appoints decision-makers for medical choices if incapacitated.
Financial Power of Attorney: Allows asset management (e.g., paying property taxes or mortgages) if unable.
Relevance to Real Estate: Without these, courts decide guardians for minor children or asset handlers, potentially freezing property sales/rentals.
2. Level 2: Revocable Living Trust (Core for Homeowners)
What It Is: A trust where you (as grantor) transfer real estate title during life. You retain full control; upon death/incapacity, a successor trustee seamlessly manages/transfers assets without court.
Key Benefits for Real Estate:
Benefit Explanation CA-Specific Threshold Avoids Probate Bypasses an approximate 9-18 month court process; immediate transfer to beneficiaries.
Setup for Homeowners:
Young families buying a primary residence: Immediately fund the trust with the deed (e.g., via quitclaim).
Example: $1M home not in trust → probate; in trust → trustee sells/gifts instantly.
Limitations: No liability protection—like a "red wagon with no cover," creditors can access assets.
3. Level 3: Asset Protection (For Rental/Investment Properties)
Primary Tool: LLC Integration:
Primary Residence: Use revocable trust only (avoids probate; no rentals = low liability).
Rental Properties: Hold in LLC for liability shield (e.g., tenant slip-and-fall lawsuit limited to LLC assets, not personal home).
Then, nest LLC ownership inside revocable trust for probate avoidance + seamless succession.
Example: Rental portfolio → LLC holds deeds → Trust owns LLC membership → Beneficiaries inherit without court.
Key Advice from Meghan for Real Estate Owners
Start Now: Buy house/kids → Get Level 1-2 immediately
Update Regularly: New property/divorce → Refile deeds
Avoid DIY: LegalZoom covers basics but misses nuances (e.g., CA deed funding); use licensed attorney.
Business Owners: Align with operating agreements for seamless transfer.
Statistics Impact: 67% "critical mistake" = relying on will alone, per title (verified: 76% lack trusts).
Contact Meghan:
620 Newport Center Drive #1100
Newport Beach California 92660
How to make it to the mlb
Glasnow's pivot advice cuts through the myth of overnight success—MLB's brutal odds (0.5% from high school) demand flexibility. He warns against "inertia"
TYLER GLASNOW relies on “in-the-moment” intuition
While scouting reports inform his prep, Glasnow relies on in-the-moment intuition: "It's not even like a logic-based type of remembering... you just kind of feel it." He simplifies to his strengths (e.g., tunneling pitches effectively that day), avoids batters' hot zones. Tough foes like Juan Soto (high walk rate, disciplined) force adaptability, not rigid plans.
To the less-than-1% of high school players reaching MLB (and only 25% MLB players win a ring), Glasnow says: "If it's working, keep doing it... if it's not, figure out a way to make it work." Be open to change—tinker, embrace coaches' input without stubbornness—and find your edge. Although, he mentions to try new things that may be input from a coach but be open to move on if it doesn’t work. Glasnow, “Don’t be worried about hurting other people’s feelings but don’t be stubborn in your ways either. Find the formula.“
Glasnow's pivot advice cuts through the myth of overnight success—MLB's brutal odds (0.5% from high school) demand flexibility. He warns against "inertia": What crushed it in college flops in the pros, much like a startup tactic that scales poorly. For aspiring pros or career climbers, Glasnow's "be open to change" means seeking feedback loops—such as video your pitches, swing (or presentation) quarterly. His uniqueness? Lean into outliers, like his height-fueled release point that baffles hitters. In life, that's your "slider": A niche skill (Negotiation via storytelling?) that keeps you indispensable in our opinion. The Dodgers' repeat chase embodies this—adapt or get left in the minors.
These gems from Glasnow aren't just pitcher remarks—they're actionable wisdom for anyone grinding toward excellence.
retired CHIEF OF STATION at cia
Excel Under Pressure!
JIM HUGHES- “BUILD STRONG NETWORKS TO THRIVE.”
Photo credit- C-SPAN
Jim recounts how a casual relationship with a foreign diplomat, built over years of small talk at international events, proved pivotal. He shares a moment when this diplomat provided a critical tip that thwarted a security threat, crediting the trust and rapport he had nurtured with his asset. Jim is now the President at Association of Former Intelligence Officers.
Watch the Full Episode & Subscribe- here. Be sure to ring the notification bell!
Drawing from his extensive experience, Jim imparts a wealth of wisdom that blends resilience, connection, ethics, growth, and well-being. His advice is a must-read for professionals and enthusiasts alike, providing actionable steps to navigate life’s challenges with confidence.
Photo from Bourne Ultimatum
Stay Adaptable to Change: Embrace new challenges, especially in unpredictable settings, as flexibility can turn obstacles into opportunities.
Build Strong Networks: Cultivate genuine relationships across diverse backgrounds, as these connections can provide critical support and unique insights.
Prioritize Integrity: Maintain honesty and ethical standards under pressure to build trust and ensure long-term success.
Embrace Continuous Learning: Commit to ongoing education and skill development to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving field.
Balance Work and Life: Manage personal well-being alongside professional demands to sustain a fulfilling and enduring career.
Jim Hughes elaborates extensively on the concept of "Build Strong Networks" in the podcast, drawing from his CIA experience to highlight its critical role in both personal and professional success. He explains that building a robust network isn’t just about collecting contacts but fostering genuine, trust-based relationships across diverse backgrounds—colleagues, local informants, diplomats, and even casual acquaintances from unrelated fields.
One detailed example he provides is how he cultivated a friendship with a foreign diplomat over years, starting with informal conversations at international conferences about shared interests like soccer and cuisine. This relationship, which he nurtured without an immediate agenda, paid off when the diplomat discreetly tipped him off about a planned security breach, enabling the CIA to act preemptively. Jim emphasizes that this success stemmed from consistent engagement and mutual respect, not transactional exchanges. He further notes that during a complex overseas assignment, his network of local contacts—built through community involvement and small acts of goodwill—provided insider knowledge that formal channels missed, showcasing how diverse connections can offer unique perspectives and resources.
For viewers, he advises investing time in understanding others’ cultures and needs, attending events outside one’s comfort zone, and following up regularly, framing networking as a long-term strategy that thrives on authenticity and reciprocity, especially in high-stakes environments like intelligence work.
"Stay Adaptable to Change" involves a mission during his early CIA career where he had to pivot quickly due to an unexpected political shift in a foreign country. He describes being part of a team tasked with gathering intelligence, only to find that a sudden coup altered the local government's structure overnight. Instead of sticking to the original plan, Jim and his team adapted by forging new contacts with emerging leaders, using local cultural insights to rebuild their approach. He explains how this flexibility not only saved the mission but also taught him the value of resilience in chaotic situations, making it clear to viewers that adaptability is crucial when faced with unforeseen challenges.
Part 2 coming soon about dating and choosing the right spouse.
glasnow’s resilience
Excel Under Pressure!
Tyler Glasnow- “trust the training.”
Photo credit- Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports photographer
Dodgers pitcher, Tyler Glasnow thrives under pressure, commanding the mound with a warrior’s mindset—laser-focused, tuning out distractions. On Full Count Podcast, Glasnow dropped wisdom that’s as clutch for baseball fans as it is for anyone chasing the top 1% in life or business.
Watch the Full Episode & Subscribe- here. Be sure to ring the notification bell!
Picture the Dodger Stadium, bases loaded, 3-2 count, 50,000+ fans screaming. Glasnow? Cool as ice. “Just take it one pitch at a time,” he says, and to focus on the training above all.
Infographic credit- Glasnow’s remarks on MLBN Radio re: his mindset when pitching.
At the start of his career, Glasnow would try to control his nervousness but he realized overtime that putting weight into that approach was not very useful. Feelings can become a distraction, so why even dwell on them. At the end of his games, he would reflect on the outcome and the stats where he realized that the feelings he had before or after the game really didn’t impact his performance. His advice:
“Trust your training and not feel your emotions so much. You just go: I practiced this all week. I do this, I do that. You almost try and remove yourself from that. Trust your training, and not- how do I feel inside.”
This must resonate with athletes and all those in a competitive environment. Overthinking can crush performance so a more stoic approach may be best.
Growing up in Santa Clarita, California, Glasnow and his dad would watch Clayton Kershaw play. Now teammates, Kershaw’s intensity fuels Glasnow even further:
“His intensity on start date, hasn’t fizzled out at all. I think him being there for 18 years and like just caring so much about winning as a team is super obvious and apparent to me.“
Kershaw announced his retirement this year so 2025 is his last season but he’s left long lasting impressions with his teammates and the fan base overall.
Recent News- Tyler Glasnow pitched on, October 4, 2025, in Game 1 of the NLDS, coming out of the bullpen to help the Los Angeles Dodgers secure a 5-3 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched several innings to protect the lead after the Dodgers took it, and was credited with a hold as a reliever.
More to come on the highlights with Tyler Glasnow- later this week with topics on: How to get to and Succeed in the Top 1% in Baseball. This can apply to high school players, college players, and MiLB players. Feel free to share this article with those that will benefit in going to the next level in their life or career.