True Wealth with Joel Baker

Cost segregation can turn a $25,000 yearly deduction into a $300,000 deduction in year one.In this episode of True Wealth with Joel Baker, Joel discusses cost segregation with Erik Oliver of Maven Cost Segregation. Erik explains how an engineering study splits a building into short-life assets that can be written off faster. Paired with bonus depreciation, a $25,000 yearly deduction can become $300,000 in year one. Erik also covers depreciation recapture, claiming missed deductions on older properties, and why land value matters.Key Takeaways:→ Cost segregation is accelerated depreciation that front-loads deductions instead of spreading them over 27.5 or 39 years.→ A typical study moves about 30% of a property's value into short-life assets eligible for bonus depreciation.→ Bonus depreciation applies to existing buildings because the assets are "new to you, the taxpayer."→ Depreciation recapture is taxed at a lower rate than the deduction saves, creating a rate arbitrage.→ Buildings owned for years can still get a study, with missed deductions claimed on the current return using Form 3115.Erik Oliver, Director of Client Services at Maven Cost Segregation, explains how cost segregation helps real estate investors and business owners speed up depreciation and lower their taxes. He shares who it works best for, how the process works, and why what you keep matters as much as what you earn.Connect With Erik Oliver:WebsiteLinkedIn

Old estate documents can quietly put your family's wealth at risk.In this episode of True Wealth with Joel Baker, Joel discusses estate planning with California attorney Chris Botti. They explain why a living trust beats a will and how it avoids costly probate. Chris shares why every plan needs a review at least every five years and how the new $15 million exemption changes old documents. He also warns against naming co-trustees without talking to your family first.Key Takeaways:→ Review your estate plan at least every five years.→ A properly funded living trust keeps your estate out of probate court.→ Probate on a $1 million California estate can cost roughly $46,000 in fees.→ The estate tax exemption is now $15 million per person, so older documents may be outdated.→ Talk with your family before naming trustees, especially co-trustees.Christopher E. Botti, co-founder of Botti Law Group, Ltd. (formerly Botti & Morison Estate Planning Attorneys, Ltd.), which specializes in all aspects of estate planning. He combines creativity and practical wisdom to solve problems and help clients achieve their objectives cost-effectively.Mr. Botti advises clients on all aspects of estate, gift, and generation-skipping tax planning, including the creation of revocable trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, charitable remainder trusts, private annuities, private foundations, grantor retained annuity trusts, family limited partnerships, and dynasty trusts. He also assists clients in the funding of revocable trusts and the preparation of estate and gift tax returns, all forms of trust and probate administration, including the purchase and sale of significant trust assets, the combination and termination of trusts, the appointment of successor trustees, and petitions for declaratory judgment.As a State Bar of California Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law – this puts him in an elite group of attorneys in which only approximately three percent (3%) of practicing attorneys in California can call themselves a “Certified Specialist.” Mr. Botti is also a well-regarded public speaker and has created several thousand customized estate plans throughout his thirty-plus-year career.Mr. Botti received his B.S. in Business Economics from the State University of New York, College at Oneonta in 1987. He obtained his J.D. from Whittier College School of Law in 1990 and served as an editor for the Whittier Law Review. He is an outdoor enthusiast and competitive cyclist. He also enjoys skiing, wakeboarding, hiking, and gardening with his wife, Nicole, and their two daughters, Sophia and Julia.Connect With Chris Botti:Website: https://www.bottilaw.com/our-firm/christopher-botti/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bottilawgroup/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bottilawgroup/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bottilawgroup/

The words in your contract matter more than your intentions.In this episode of True Wealth with Joel Baker, Joel discusses real estate with attorney and broker Jerry Larkowski. Jerry explains why precise contract language can make or break a deal. He shares pricing strategies for sellers and what investors should know about Arkansas. They also talk about staying active and never retiring.Key Takeaways:→ What you put in writing controls the outcome if a deal ends up in court.→ "Shall" is declaratory while "will" is only predictive, so choose your verbs carefully.→ Pricing a hot listing slightly under value can spark competing offers.→ Raising the price and offering seller concessions helps buyers cover closing costs at the same net.→ Arkansas offers lower prices and landlord-friendly laws for long-term investors.A native of Chicago, Jerry has resided continuously in Central Arkansas for 50 years, He has a bachelors in history and a law degree and is admitted to the bar in both Arkansas and Illinois. In 2019, just for fun, he obtained his real estate license. It came in handy a year later when COVID hit, and he lost his two primary sources of income. He built a real estate practice, moved the Little Rock office into a storefront in 2025, still practices law, owns and runs an Airbnb, and remodels and re-constructs dilapidated houses waiting to be demolished with his wife of 14 years.Connect With Jerry Larkowski:Website: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-larkowski-35324960

The most important estate planning document is not a will or a trust.In this episode of True Wealth with Joel Baker, Joel discusses estate planning with Florida attorney Andrew Rosenberg. Andy explains why a durable power of attorney matters more than a will or a trust. He shares wild client stories that show the price of waiting. You will learn why everyone, even a new 18-year-old adult, needs a plan.Key Takeaways:→ A durable power of attorney is the most important document in your estate plan.→ The four essentials are a durable power of attorney, healthcare surrogate, living will and HIPAA document.→ Planning is not just about death, it also protects you if you become disabled or incapacitated.→ You do not need millions of dollars to need an estate plan.→ Procrastinating can leave your family stuck in probate, and 18-year-olds need basic documents too.For over 30 years, Andrew "Andy" Rosenberg has practiced law with a deeply personal purpose. Growing up in the Midwest, Andy watched his younger sister battle a brain tumor for ten years—an experience that opened his eyes to the failures of the medical and legal systems and inspired him to help families navigate life’s hardest moments with compassion and clarity.Specializing in elder law and estate planning, Andy provides peace of mind to clients facing uncertainty. Whether it’s a client thanking him from her hospital bed for putting her affairs in order or a family relieved to have a clear plan, Andy’s work is defined by real, human impact.His approach is grounded in the following values: respect, empathy, and integrity. Following the golden rule, he treats every client like family. Unlike larger firms, Andy personally handles every case, offering direct communication, attentive service, and straightforward guidance. His dedication has earned his firm over 600 5-star reviews on Google and a reputation for excellence.Guided by the philosophy, “It Is What It Is,” Andy focuses on what can be controlled and moves forward with purpose. If you’re looking for an experienced attorney who combines decades of knowledge with a caring, personal touch, Andy is here to help!Connect With Andrew Rosenberg:Website: www.rosenberglawfirm.netX: https://x.com/rlawfirm1LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-rosenberg-florida/

Billionaires pay taxes, but they refuse to overpay them.In this episode of True Wealth with Joel Baker, Joel discusses tax strategy and wealth protection with CFA and CPA Douglas Carpenter. Doug explains why most high net worth families leave real money on the table. He reveals where business problems hide and why every owner needs an exit strategy. You will also learn the simple monthly habit that keeps you in control of your assets.Key Takeaways:→ Billionaires pay taxes, but they refuse to overpay them.→ Small missed tax strategies can add up to around $50,000 in savings every year.→ Hidden business problems live on the balance sheet, not the P&L.→ Every owner needs an exit strategy planned in advance, or the family pays more tax than it should.→ A disciplined monthly review of every account keeps you in control of your wealth.Douglas Carpenter is President of Comprehensive Hospitality Solutions (CHS), an accounting firm in Melville, NY built specifically for hotels, restaurants, and hospitality businesses. A CFA and CPA and Hofstra University alum, Doug takes accounting beyond compliance — helping clients plan for growth, uncover hidden capital, and even recruit, using tools like Toast, Xtra Chef, and Plate IQ.The results speak for themselves: one client grew from 3 to 13 locations in two years; another cleared $58K in back taxes through smart tax-credit use; a third uncovered $2MM in uncashed checks and has since doubled to 15 locations. And through the pandemic, all ~160 of CHS's client locations stayed in business.Doug's specialties include hotel and restaurant bookkeeping, tax preparation, payroll support, COVID-era relief credits, and growth strategy.Connect With Douglas Carpenter:Website: https://www.books4hospitality.com/

Your estate plan is not a one-time transaction, and treating it like one could cost your family everything you built.In this episode of True Wealth with Joel Baker, Joel discusses estate and business planning with Chris Papin, a CPA, attorney, and licensed insurance producer. Chris reveals why the biggest mistake families make is treating their estate plan as a one-time event. He explains how the right structures protect heirs from themselves and keep wealth from vanishing by the third generation. They also dig into the most overlooked decision in any large estate: choosing the right trustee.Key Takeaways:→ An estate plan is a living document that must be revisited as your life, assets, and family change.→ Improperly titled assets and outdated beneficiary designations can quietly undo even the best estate plan.→ Smart trust structures add discipline, accountability, and protection so heirs cannot squander what you built.→ Planning early for taxes on illiquid assets like farms and land can prevent a forced sale when the time comes.→ Your trustee acts as the CEO of your estate, so choosing family just to save on fees can be a costly mistake.Chris Papin is a dual-licensed CPA and attorney with over 20 years of experience guiding entrepreneurs and business owners through every stage of their journey. Licensed as a CPA and attorney, Chris brings a unique perspective that integrates financial strategy with legal expertise through his firms Papin CPA PLLC and Papin Law PLLC. Recently named to Forbes' "Best-in-State CPAs" list and recipient of Thomson Reuters' "Advisory Accelerator Award," Chris has dedicated his career to helping small businesses achieve what he calls "big firm impact" through strategic partnerships and efficient practices. As host of the BLABO (Behave Like A Business Owner) Podcast, Chris shares actionable insights on business growth, leadership, and sustainable success, drawing on his experience serving clients professionally and his unique background as a championship-level soccer coach. His coaching philosophy is simple. You build strong fundamentals and developing players for long-term success. This philosophy translates directly into his business advisory approach, where he helps entrepreneurs maximize their limited time while building values-driven, sustainable ventures. Chris is the author of "168 Hours: A Startup Business Guide That Respects Your Time." His book represents his commitment to helping business owners achieve their goals without sacrificing what matters most in their lives.Connect With Chris Papin:Website: Papincpa.com, Papinlaw.com, Papinspeaks.comInstagram: @PapinspeaksFacebook: Papin CPA, Papin LawLinkedIn: Chris PapinPodcast: BLABO Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

The tax you owe on your real estate sale could become the fuel for your next investment.In this episode of True Wealth with Joel Baker, Joel discusses the power of the 1031 exchange with Dave Foster, Qualified Intermediary and founder of The 1031 Investor. Dave explains how investors can sell and buy real estate throughout their lives without paying capital gains or depreciation recapture tax. He walks through the strict 45-day and 180-day deadlines, the rules for reinvesting, and why a QI must be in place before you close. The result is compounding wealth that can pass to your heirs completely tax-free.Key Takeaways:→ A 1031 exchange lets you defer capital gains and depreciation recapture tax every time you sell and reinvest in investment real estate.→ Start with your "why" before selling, whether it's trapped equity, a declining neighborhood, consolidation, or an aging property.→ You must have a Qualified Intermediary in place before closing, and you can never touch the sale proceeds.→ You have just 45 days to identify replacement property and 180 days to close, so planning ahead is the key to success.→ To defer all tax, buy at least as much as your net sale and reinvest all proceeds, because the IRS treats anything you take out as profit.Dave Foster is a Qualified Intermediary (QI) for 1031 exchanges and Founder of The 1031 Investor. As a multi-industry visionary, he has over 30 years of experience working in all phases of real estate investing and brings his clients a fresh perspective and clear vision for strategic development using tools in the tax code such as the 1031 exchange and the Sec 121 Primary residence exclusion. As an investor himself, he views each investment as a unique opportunity to maximize returns. A degreed accountant with a Master's in Management, Dave has also just released a best selling book, Lifetime Tax-Free Wealth: The Real Estate Investor's Guide to the 1031 Exchange.Connect With Dave Foster:Website: https://www.the1031investor.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/The1031Investor