In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, host Chris Everett sits down with Robert J. Mondo, an estate planning attorney who has spent more than two decades helping families protect what matters most — with clarity, intention, and zero legal jargon.

Bob brings a rare blend of deep tax expertise and an educator’s mindset, breaking down complex estate planning strategies into language everyday people can actually understand. From revocable trusts and special needs planning to asset protection and advanced tax-saving vehicles, this conversation goes far beyond documents and dives into why proper planning — and proper funding — makes all the difference.

You’ll hear why most estate plans fail, the dangers of outdated trusts, the critical role of trust funding, and why estate planning only works when attorneys and financial planners operate as a true team.

If you want to design a legacy that avoids confusion, unnecessary taxes, and missed opportunities, this episode is essential listening.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to Beyond the Numbers

00:27 – Meet your host, Chris Everett

00:35 – Introducing Robert J. Mondo

01:31 – Why Bob approaches law as an educator

02:43 – From tax attorney to estate planning specialist

03:56 – Helping clients truly understand their plans

05:11 – Why most estate plans fall short

06:16 – The danger of form-based and DIY trusts

07:17 – Core estate planning structures explained

08:19 – Why old trusts (pre-2012) can be problematic

09:12 – Reciprocal spousal trusts and hidden risks

10:29 – Step-up in basis explained simply

11:41 – Why simplicity often wins in estate planning

12:30 – Why trusts older than 2012 should be reviewed

13:16 – What a revocable trust actually does

14:20 – Probate avoidance and asset control

15:24 – Asset protection trusts and who really needs them

16:13 – Special needs planning mistakes to avoid

17:41 – Intentionally defective grantor trusts explained

18:56 – Removing assets from taxable estates

20:18 – How promissory notes preserve control

21:41 – When advanced trusts make sense

22:00 – Attorney + financial planner collaboration

23:14 – Retitling assets without triggering taxes

24:36 – Common planning breakdowns

25:21 – A real-world missed planning opportunity

26:46 – Fixing estate problems after death

27:58 – Why transparency matters in planning

28:22 – Current estate tax law considerations

29:34 – Succession planning for solo attorneys

31:04 – Trust funding as part of a fiduciary process

32:17 – Why documents alone aren’t enough

33:27 – Checklists, reminders & accountability

34:35 – The danger of last-minute planning

35:00 – Bob’s law school journey

36:18 – Why tax attorneys collaborate differently

37:39 – Creating proprietary estate planning categories

38:58 – Custom planning vs template documents

40:18 – Why other attorneys notice the difference

41:15 – What to look for in an estate planning attorney

42:09 – Avoiding generalists in complex planning

42:58 – How to research the right attorney

43:36 – How to contact Bob Mondo

45:43 – Building the right financial team

47:16 – Why financial planning comes first

48:18 – Final thoughts & closing

🎧 CALL TO ACTION

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