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561. Planning for Peace: How Tara Baker Makes Estate Planning Family-Friendly · Daily Influence

• 0:10
  [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the daily influence where our mission is to deliver a daily dose of positive influence that can uplift you personally or be shared within your sphere of influence.
• 0:20
  [SPEAKER_00]: While not every episode may directly apply to your unique circumstances, we strive to provide insights and inspiration relevant to most people's daily, weekly, and monthly lives.
• 0:30
  [SPEAKER_00]: Whether you are tuning in during the morning, noon or night, the daily influence is here for you.
• 0:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: Listen, share, and embrace the power of influence in your life.
• 0:41
  [SPEAKER_01]: Welcome to Daily Influence.
• 0:42
  [SPEAKER_01]: I'm Greg Collino.
• 0:44
  [SPEAKER_01]: Today's guest is someone who brings compassion, clarity, and confidence to one of the most important conversations a family can have, planning for the future.
• 0:54
  [SPEAKER_01]: Tara Baker is a dedicated attorney and mom of four who leads law firm focused on a state planning for families with minor children.
• 1:04
  [SPEAKER_01]: Her mission is to remove fear and overwhelm from the process and create a family-friendly experience.
• 1:10
  [SPEAKER_01]: Children are welcome at her meetings.
• 1:13
  [SPEAKER_01]: Tara has helped countless families find peace of mind in the face of life's uncertainties, showing how responsible influence can shape a family's legacy.
• 1:23
  [SPEAKER_01]: Tara, welcome to Daily Influence.
• 1:26
  [SPEAKER_01]: Thank you so much for having me.
• 1:27
  [SPEAKER_01]: I'm really excited to be here.
• 1:29
  [SPEAKER_01]: I'm excited to have you.
• 1:30
  [SPEAKER_01]: Let's start with your story.
• 1:31
  [SPEAKER_01]: Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to where you are today, helping families through stay planning?
• 1:37
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, absolutely.
• 1:38
  [SPEAKER_02]: So out of law school, I started working for a large law firm, doing planning for high net worth individuals and doing a lot of what I like to call, like fancy trusts, stuff that most of us don't really need.
• 1:53
  [SPEAKER_02]: And then when my family, when I started my family, my daughter was born, and I was meeting a lot of people who similarly were sort of like, huh, I have a kid.
• 2:04
  [SPEAKER_02]: I should probably have a will, but really just didn't know where to start.
• 2:08
  [SPEAKER_02]: And definitely didn't feel comfortable in sort of the big law firm setting.
• 2:13
  [SPEAKER_02]: This was very pre-COVID, right?
• 2:15
  [SPEAKER_02]: Before there was a lot of remote work, but even then trying to get to your attorney's office with a six month old is a challenge.
• 2:22
  [SPEAKER_02]: So I started my firm trust to state planning for new families, which focuses on making things easy and making this process easy for families.
• 2:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: parents have a never ending to do list and this my firm is just designed to help them take a state planning off the to do list because between jobs and kids and just life in general this always falls to the bottom but it's really important so my goal is to just make it easy and make parents feel good about the decisions they're making.
• 2:57
  [SPEAKER_01]: And that is so true, it often does fall to the bottom.
• 3:00
  [SPEAKER_01]: So you bring a very human approach to the illegal process.
• 3:05
  [SPEAKER_01]: What inspired you to create such a family-friendly environment in your firm and how is being a mom of four shape the way you show up for your clients?
• 3:14
  [SPEAKER_02]: Well, honestly, I am my client, I have four kids and my schedule has everything in it from traveling sports, you know, all four of my kids do club, whatever.
• 3:28
  [SPEAKER_02]: I, you know, drive a big suburban, so everybody can fit.
• 3:33
  [SPEAKER_02]: And I have a color-coded calendar that sometimes works and sometimes things get forgotten in there.
• 3:39
  [SPEAKER_02]: And my husband has a full-time job as well.
• 3:43
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we know what it's like just to try to survive day-to-day but then also knowing that this is so important and it has to get done.
• 3:55
  [SPEAKER_02]: So there's just the piece of trying to make it
• 3:58
  [SPEAKER_02]: Logistically possible for parents to get this done, but then also there's the emotional side of it.
• 4:03
  [SPEAKER_02]: I've had to make these decisions too.
• 4:05
  [SPEAKER_02]: I've had to sit down with my husband and say, who would take our kids if something were to happen to us?
• 4:11
  [SPEAKER_02]: And, you know, what does our estate plan look like?
• 4:14
  [SPEAKER_02]: So I've had to do this myself, and I think,
• 4:17
  [SPEAKER_02]: My hope is that it's greatly appreciated with all my clients that I'm like them.
• 4:22
  [SPEAKER_02]: And I'm not, you know, I say this with affection, a gray hair, you know, man sitting behind a mahogany desk in some office building someplace that I'm relatable and that I've been there before.
• 4:35
  [SPEAKER_02]: I know what it feels like to have those conversations.
• 4:39
  [SPEAKER_01]: We often talk about influences of ripple effect.
• 4:41
  [SPEAKER_01]: Can you tell us about a moment or experience where you felt you made a real positive impact on someone's life through your work?
• 4:48
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, so there's actually one particular moment and what's sort of remarkable about it, I'd say, is how unremarkable it was.
• 4:57
  [SPEAKER_02]: I had a client recently who actually lost a spouse and although that is not an uncommon event in the estate planning world overall, when you mostly work with young families and particularly young parents, that is, really, it's not often that, you know,
• 5:15
  [SPEAKER_02]: client and 30 years or so loses a spouse.
• 5:18
  [SPEAKER_02]: But when that happens, really nothing happened.
• 5:22
  [SPEAKER_02]: Everything transitions smoothly.
• 5:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: Everything was easy.
• 5:25
  [SPEAKER_02]: And I think that's the ultimate goal is that there are no bumps when you cross that scary what if.
• 5:33
  [SPEAKER_02]: So that's kind of just one particular moment.
• 5:35
  [SPEAKER_02]: But I'd also say that I have a positive influence every time clients come into my office and we sign and finalize their documents.
• 5:42
  [SPEAKER_02]: And I like to joke that there is, after we finish signing and notarizing and witnessing and all that, that there's like a collective sigh of relief around the table.
• 5:52
  [SPEAKER_02]: Because everyone's like, OK.
• 5:54
  [SPEAKER_02]: We have this done, we have a plan in place, I can sleep a little better tonight, and it's finally off of my to-do list.
• 6:01
  [SPEAKER_02]: And I think that just makes a positive impact on everything.
• 6:05
  [SPEAKER_01]: Our book series emphasizes responsible influence and being intentional with how we affect others, how do you practice responsible influence with your clients, especially when guiding them through such emotional and personal decisions?
• 6:18
  [SPEAKER_02]: Um, I think that, you know, probably the most important thing is when I meet with a client, I don't come to the process with, I have an idea of what I would like them to do, but ultimately without judgment, that they should feel free to let me know what they feel like they want.
• 6:38
  [SPEAKER_02]: What is important to them?
• 6:39
  [SPEAKER_02]: Um, what are the values that they want to express?
• 6:45
  [SPEAKER_02]: in their estate plan and so to really pay attention to that and realize that you know I may have an agenda as far as I want what I want the overall plan to look like but ultimately it has to come from them.
• 6:59
  [SPEAKER_02]: But along with that, part of my job is, you know, when they come to me and say, well, I want this in my estate plan, part of what I have to say is, you know, that sounds good in your head, but that won't actually work in real life.
• 7:10
  [SPEAKER_02]: And here's why.
• 7:11
  [SPEAKER_02]: And so really just that balance of, yes, let's put in there what's important to you, but also understand the limits.
• 7:21
  [SPEAKER_02]: of what you're thinking will actually work in practice, and especially in today's world of like there's so many, you know, do it yourself, options out there for whales and truss, you probably see ads from all over the place.
• 7:36
  [SPEAKER_02]: the counsel that you get working with someone to actually say, that's not a good idea.
• 7:43
  [SPEAKER_02]: I think it's really, really valuable and we're the value really comes in with working with somebody like me instead of just pulling something up online.
• 7:52
  [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, that makes sense.
• 7:55
  [SPEAKER_01]: Leadership shows up in many forms.
• 7:57
  [SPEAKER_01]: In what ways do you see your work as leadership, not just legally, but emotionally and in your community?
• 8:02
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, I mean, I think probably,
• 8:06
  [SPEAKER_02]: The easiest way to express it is that I show up to people and say, hey, this is hard, but you're going to work with me, and we're going to get it done together.
• 8:15
  [SPEAKER_02]: But more than that, like I speak at school events, I've hosted events in person with other female entrepreneurs, and their businesses and supporting one another.
• 8:26
  [SPEAKER_02]: And I think that's really important in the community.
• 8:29
  [SPEAKER_02]: But one of the things I love so much about the estate planning space is that it is a place
• 8:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: you know, particularly as a mom, as a female, as, you know, an attorney that we can show up with like strength, like, and softness.
• 8:41
  [SPEAKER_02]: And it's a place where there's, I'd say, you know, it intersects financial issues and emotional issues.
• 8:48
  [SPEAKER_02]: And a lot of times women for whatever reasons are sort of excluded from that financial conversation or these kind of conversations.
• 8:57
  [SPEAKER_02]: And I feel like a state
• 9:03
  [SPEAKER_02]: I'm just playing everything right from most of us.
• 9:06
  [SPEAKER_02]: We plan that, you know, after school schedules and the carpool and the family gatherings, I really like to see spearheading in a state plan as just an extension of that.
• 9:20
  [SPEAKER_02]: And so I think I really create a space for, you know, women to be leaders in their homes as, you know, taking the lead on this really important plan.
• 9:28
  [SPEAKER_01]: Awesome that you do that for families or parents who feel intimidated by a state planning or who might be putting it off what message or words of encouragement would you like to share with them.
• 9:40
  [SPEAKER_02]: First that you're not alone, the majority of my calls with potential clients start with someone saying, this has been on my to-do list, since my oldest was born, and they're about to be 10.
• 9:52
  [SPEAKER_02]: So, whatever you're showing up to the party is great.
• 9:57
  [SPEAKER_02]: You're not alone, and that estate planning is a process but it can be easy and that
• 10:07
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's not about being perfect.
• 10:09
  [SPEAKER_02]: A lot of times people put this off because they think they don't have the perfect plan or the perfect guardian in mind.
• 10:16
  [SPEAKER_02]: Everything that we do is a second best plan.
• 10:19
  [SPEAKER_02]: Your first choice is for you and your spouse or whatever your family looks like to be raising your children forever.
• 10:26
  [SPEAKER_02]: Anything we put together is a second best choice.
• 10:30
  [SPEAKER_02]: And I think that takes some of the pressure off of what feels like a really wavy decision.
• 10:35
  [SPEAKER_02]: and then also just get started.
• 10:38
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's a lot easier than you think.
• 10:39
  [SPEAKER_02]: And once you get it done, you'll feel lighter, you're sleep better, and you'll feel like you're really doing that adulting thing.
• 10:47
  [SPEAKER_01]: That's great.
• 10:47
  [SPEAKER_01]: That's great advice Tara.
• 10:49
  [SPEAKER_01]: Thank you for using your expertise and your empathy to empower families during some of the most important moments in their life.
• 10:55
  [SPEAKER_01]: Your ability to bring peace of mind and practical solutions in such a compassionate way truly reflects the power responsible influence.
• 11:04
  [SPEAKER_01]: If our listeners want to get in touch with you, what is the best way to do so?
• 11:09
  [SPEAKER_02]: They can go to my website, which is the state planning for new families.com and reach out on the contact us.
• 11:16
  [SPEAKER_02]: They can also follow me on social media and Instagram and Facebook.
• 11:20
  [SPEAKER_01]: All right, we'll put all that information in this show notes.
• 11:23
  [SPEAKER_01]: Tara, thank you.
• 11:24
  [SPEAKER_01]: Thank you so much for having me.
• 11:25
  [SPEAKER_01]: This was really great.
• 11:26
  [SPEAKER_01]: For any listeners who had this task and they're to do this, I hope today's episode reminds you that you don't have to do it alone.
• 11:33
  [SPEAKER_01]: And there are professionals like Tara ready to make the process feel doable and even comforting.
• 11:39
  [SPEAKER_01]: If today's episode resonated with you, please share it with your family, friends, and co-workers.
• 11:45
  [SPEAKER_01]: and consider adding daily influence to your daily routine, whether it's during your commute, a walk, or a quiet moment.
• 11:52
  [SPEAKER_01]: It's your daily dose of positivity.
• 11:54
  [SPEAKER_01]: Remember the power to make a difference begins with you.
• 11:57
  [SPEAKER_01]: Your ideas, your choices, and your actions.
• 12:00
  [SPEAKER_01]: Until next time, keep having a positive, responsible influence.
• 12:04
  [SPEAKER_01]: Bye-bye.