Trusts vs Wills, Senior Living REITs, and a Physician Bonus Playbook

This week’s episode starts with a question from a couple who inherited complications after their parents passed with wills only. Now that their own estate is $5 million, they want to avoid the same outcome for their kids. Stephan explains when it makes sense to move from wills to a trust and the benefits of control, protection, and probate avoidance.

Next, we hear from an investor pitched on a private REIT in senior living communities. With aging demographics and rising demand, it looks like a strong trend—but Stephan walks through the due diligence needed around fees, liquidity, operator experience, and unrealistic assumptions.

Finally, we answer a question from a new attending physician with a $75,000 signing bonus, no debt, and retirement accounts already maxed out. Stephan covers the tax reality and shares how to prioritize liquidity, taxable investing, and long-term flexibility.

In our From the Field segment, we share a heads up that registration is officially open for the 2026 Scholar Personal Wealth Conference in Asheville. More details at scholarfinancialadvising.com/conference-2026/

Have a question for a future episode? Submit it at scholarfinancialadvising.com/podcast

The information provided in this podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice, the opinions. expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organizations. Investing in financial markets involves risk, including the potential loss of principle, past performance is not indicative of future results. Before making any investment decisions, you should consult with a qualified financial advisor, who can assess your individual financial situation, objectives and risk tolerance. Thanks for listening!