Video Course
Estate Planning, Simplified
Why Wills Still Go Through Probate
It isn't about having more money saved. It's about someone writing it down. Estate Planning, Simplified shows you what actually keeps a will out of probate, what each document does differently, and how to leave instructions instead of a guess - in plain English, before you spend a dollar or sit across from anyone.
Most people don't put off estate planning because they don't care. They put it off because finishing it means answering a question they've never had answered: will or trust, and does it actually matter?
So the question just sits there. Meanwhile the mortgage is handled, the retirement account is handled, there's even a rough idea of who gets what—but the plan itself stays a folder of ideas, not a set of documents.
In Estate Planning, Simplified, Tim shows you what actually keeps a will out of probate, what each document does differently, and how to leave instructions instead of a guess—all in plain language, without the intimidating legal jargon or four-figure attorney bills. The peace of mind of knowing it's handled is just a few short lessons away.
Enroll Today - $47,
One-Time Payment
Answering these same questions with an attorney by the hour often runs into four figures.
No subscriptions. No sales call. No obligation to hire a particular attorney or firm.
No sales call required to start. No obligation to use any particular attorney or firm. This is education, not a pitch.
In This Course
What You'll Learn
The real difference between a will and a revocable living trust, and how each one actually works
What a power of attorney does, and why waiting until you need one is already too late
What a healthcare directive decides, and who should be trusted to make that call
What probate can actually cost a family, and how a properly funded trust helps avoid it
How to leave one asset to multiple people without leaving a fight behind
Course Modules & Key Takeaways
Explore each module below and expand the items to reveal the key takeaways you will gain from this course.
Module 1: Estate Planning Basics
What an estate plan actually is — and why it's far more than just a will
Real stories of what goes wrong when families don't plan ahead
What the state decides for you if you do nothing, and why you probably won't like it
Module 2: The Documents That Make a Plan
The four core documents every adult needs, regardless of net worth
What each one actually does and when it kicks in
Advanced add-ons worth considering when your life or finances are more complex
Module 3: Understanding Trusts
Why a will alone often falls short — and how a trust fills the gaps
How trusts work: privacy, probate avoidance, and staying in control
The most common (and costly) mistake: the unfunded "empty" trust
Whether you actually need a trust, and which type fits your situation
Module 4: Estate Taxes Explained
How estate taxes really work, using current 2026 numbers
How to tell whether estate taxes even apply to you
State-level estate and inheritance taxes people routinely overlook
Strategies that can reduce — or eliminate — what your estate owes
Module 5: Healthcare & Your Estate Plan
Why healthcare decisions are a core part of estate planning
The key decisions to make before a crisis hits
The documents that put you, not a court, in charge of your care
Module 6: Making Your Wishes Official
How to communicate your wishes clearly to the people who matter
How to make sure those wishes are actually honored when it counts
Module 7: Planning for Special Needs
How to provide for a loved one with a disability without jeopardizing their benefits
The right planning tools for special-needs situations
The common mistakes that derail special-needs plans — and how to avoid them
Module 8: Planning for Your Situation
How your plan should shift whether you're single, married, divorced, or widowed
The specific blind spots that come with each life stage
How to keep your plan current as your circumstances change
Module 9: The Beneficiary Liquidity Plan
How to make sure your loved ones have cash when they need it most
Why liquidity is the piece most estate plans forget
Module 10: Next Steps
What a real plan costs and how to get started
The key takeaways to carry with you
Your clear next step from here
Bonus: Myths & Mistakes
The most common estate planning myths that lead people astray
The costly mistakes that derail even well-intentioned plans
How to sidestep both before they cost your family
Tim Kulhanek
CRPS™, Financial Advisor
"The biggest challenge families face isn't a lack of concern about estate planning — it's simply not knowing what they don't know."
Tim Kulhanek has spent over a decade helping families finish estate plans, not just start them. Throughout his career, he discovered that one of the biggest challenges families face isn't a lack of concern about estate planning - it's simply not knowing what they don't know. Too many people assume a simple will is enough, or believe they'll "get to it later," only to leave loved ones facing unnecessary stress, confusion, taxes, probate, or costly mistakes. That gap is what this course closes - turning complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand concepts so you can make informed decisions about protecting your family, preserving your assets, and creating a lasting legacy.
Tim is a Co-Founder of Stonebridge Wealth Systems and holds the Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS) designation, with Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses. He is also co-host of The Retirement Compass with Stonebridge radio show and television program.
Copyright © 2026 Stonebridge Wealth Systems. All Rights Reserved.
This material presented by Stonebridge Wealth Systems (“Stonebridge”) is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for personalized investment advice or as a recommendation or solicitation of any particular security, strategy, or investment product. Facts presented have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however Stonebridge cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, and certain information presented here may have been condensed or summarized from its original source. Consultations with CPA’s or Estate Planning Attorneys regarding taxes and issues relating to estates or beneficiaries are recommended. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Stonebridge does not provide legal or tax advice, and nothing contained in these materials should be taken as legal or tax advice.