Protect Your Nest

About Protect Your Nest

Attorney Brandon J. Lawrence has practiced for over 20 years in Louisville, Kentucky. This podcast helps to make sense of estate planning, probate and all the important decisions that come with them. Episodes will feature guests who bring insight, experience and practical advice for protecting what matters most - your family, your legacy and your peace of mind. Are you ready? Let's talk in over.

Publisher

Brandon J. Lawrence

Category

education · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Oct 2025

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Oct 2026

   What Is a Special Needs Trust?

   Episode 12:  In this episode of Protect Your Nest, Attorney Brandon Lawrence explains how a Special Needs Trust allows disabled individuals to receive inheritances, gifts, or lawsuit settlements without forfeiting critical government benefits like Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, and Section 8 housing.  He outlines the differences between a first party and third party special needs trust. The first party special needs trust, which is funded with the beneficiary's own assets and requires Medicaid payback upon death.  A third party special needs trust, which can be funded by family members and others, has no Medicaid reimbursement requirement, and remains private without court filing in Kentucky.  Brandon also introduces pooled trusts for multiple individuals.  He stresses the importance of selecting a trustworthy trustee, funding the trust properly, and writing a Letter of Intent to outline personalized medical, dietary, and recreational preferences.  Finally, Brandon advises against several specific, but very important issues when setting up a special needs trust. Until next time, I'm estate planning attorney Brandon Lawrence. This has been the Protect Your Nest podcast. Feel free to call me and get in contact with me, always. Let's talk it over. Have More Questions or Want to Set an Appointment with Brandon? Website:  www.LawyerForTheCity.org (http://www.LawyerForTheCity.org) Phone: (502) 996-7735 Email:  help@LawyerForTheCity.org This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice.  Brandon's principal office is located at 101 N. 7th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.

2. 

   5 Oct 2026

   What Is a Power of Attorney?

   Episode 11:  In this episode of the Protect Your Nest podcast, Louisville estate planning attorney Brandon Lawrence discusses Power of Attorney documents.  He outlines the key differences between general, limited, durable and springing POAs.  A Power of Attorney authorizes your designated agent to make transactions on your behalf.  These could be financial, involve healthcare decisions, or other types of actions.  In Kentucky, a POA is only valid while you (the principal) are alive.  It automatically terminates upon death.  Ideally, your Will and/or trust will take control.  Brandon also discusses what happens if your agent becomes incapacitated or dies, before you.  There are steps you can take to ensure your intentions are able to be carried out. Until next time, I'm Louisville estate planning attorney Brandon Lawrence. This has been Protect Your Nest. Let's talk it over. Have More Questions or Want to Set an Appointment with Brandon? Website:  www.LawyerForTheCity.org Phone:  (502) 996-7735 Email: Help@LawyerForTheCity.org This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice.  Brandon's principal office is located at 101 N. 7th Street, Louisville, KY 40202.

3. 

   31 Aug 2026

   Does Your Estate Plan Account for Dementia and Alzheimer's?

   Episode 10: In this episode of Protect Your Nest, Attorney Brandon Lawrence discusses the rising need for memory care facilities to assist aging individuals suffering from dementia, severe memory loss, and Alzheimer's. He details the physical and financial requirements to qualify for Kentucky Medicaid, while noting that a non-applicant spouse is allowed an asset limit of $162,660. Lawrence explains that while a home and a car are excluded from these initial limits, strategic planning with irrevocable trusts is crucial to prevent the state from recovering care costs from the home after the owner passes away. To emphasize the importance of regular estate plan reviews, he highlights high-profile legal battles, including a family trust dispute involving actor Malcolm-Jamar Warner and the intestate estate of Chadwick Boseman. Finally, he explains that under Kentucky law, individuals cannot legally disinherit a spouse without a prenuptial agreement, and failing to plan simply defaults to state intestate laws that split the estate between the surviving spouse and parents. Conclusion So it was good talking to you again as usual and I look forward to the next episodes and go back and look at other episodes on my website, YouTube. I hope you found this information helpful. You can find more of these estate planning episodes, of course, on my website, lawyerforthecity.org, YouTube, Spotify, other podcast platforms. This has been attorney Brandon Lawrence, the Lawyer for the City, and this has been Protect Your Nest Podcast. Until next time, let's talk it over. Have More Questions or Want to Set an Appointment with Brandon? Website:  www.LawyerForTheCity.org (http://www.LawyerForTheCity.org) Phone: (502) 996-7735 Email:  help@LawyerForTheCity.org This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice.  Brandon's principal office is located at 101 N. 7th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.

4. 

   29 Jun 2026

   Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets: What Every Kentucky Family Should Know

   In this episode of the Protect Your Nest podcast, estate planning attorney Brandon Lawrence explains the differences between probate assets and non-probate assets.  He also explains what dying intestate means and how Kentucky law distributes assets when no estate plan exists. Brandon comments on how trusts, beneficiary designations, jointly owned property, and payable-on-death accounts can help families avoid probate while preserving privacy and reducing delays. An effective estate planning preserves wealth, reduces conflict, and ensures assets reach the intended beneficiaries. Are you ready to protect your nest? Have More Questions or Want to Set an Appointment with Brandon? Website:  www.LawyerForTheCity.org (http://www.LawyerForTheCity.org) Phone: (502) 996-7735 Email:  help@LawyerForTheCity.org This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice.  Brandon's principal office is located at 101 N. 7th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.

5. 

   17 Jun 2026

   What Not To Put In Your Will

   Episode 9:  In this episode, Louisville estate planning attorney Brandon Lawrence explains how to make a Will simple and effective by identifying specific items that should never be included in the document. Then he transitions to what not to put in your Will.  He explains that beneficiary designations for retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and trusts take legal precedence over a Will. Brandon discusses why time-sensitive instructions, such as funeral arrangements, organ donation, and life support wishes, should be managed through separate documents or a Living Will to ensure they are acted upon before a Last Will and Testament is even read. Key Themes: 01:16   What Is a Holographic Will? 04:15   Retirement Account Beneficiary Designations 05:26   Why Funeral Arrangement Shouldn't Go in Your Will 07:13   Don't Include Organ Donation Instructions in Your Will 08:41   Use a Living Will to Explain Your Life Support Wishes 10:18   Avoid Using a Will to Designate Beneficiaries of a Trust 11:51   How to Handle Your LLC after Your Death 13:32   Don't Use Your Will to Designate Beneficiaries of Your Life Insurance 14:51   Keep Your Last Will and Testament Brief Have More Questions or Want to Set an Appointment with Brandon? Website:  www.LawyerForTheCity.org (http://www.LawyerForTheCity.org) Phone: (502) 996-7735 Email:  help@LawyerForTheCity.org This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice.  Brandon's principal office is located at 101 N. 7th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.

6. 

   30 Apr 2026

   Expectations When Creating an Estate Plan

   Episode 7:  Attorney Brandon Lawrence opens this episode of Protect Your Nest by outlining what clients can expect during an estate planning consultation, regardless of whether their estate is worth $200,000 or $2 million. He explains that the process begins with an intake form to identify goals before moving to a detailed meeting or Zoom call. Brandon emphasizes that every family situation is unique, requiring customized plans rather than "cookie-cutter" solutions to protect spouses and children. He discusses sensitive scenarios, such as remarriage, and how trusts can ensure a person's assets go to their children rather than a spouse's future partner. The episode highlights the necessity of planning for incapacity through medical directives and powers of attorney to maintain quality of life during a long-term illness. Brandon also touches on the importance of Medicaid planning, as a way to qualify for assistance with long-term care while preserving an inheritance for heirs. For those with children, he suggests using trusts to set distribution timelines or boundaries and recommends flexible boundaries. He stresses that no amount of money is too small to protect, as modern housing and retirement assets accumulate quickly. Finally, Brandon invites listeners to reach out via his website, LawyerForTheCity.org (https://www.lawyerforthecity.org), to begin securing their family's legacy. Key Topics: The First Step Family First Planning Planning for the Living Smart Distributions Tax and Legal Update Conclusion We've talked about a whole lot of things on previous episodes. You can check those out on my website, LawyerForTheCity.org. You can check them out on YouTube as well. And you can call me my number, (502) 996-7735. And you can contact me directly at Help@LawyerForTheCity.org. That's my email address or just direct message me on the website through other social media outlets. Of course, I'm the Lawyer for the City, Brandon Lawrence. And this has been another episode of Protect Your Nest. Like I said, you can look back on other episodes and see about the things that we talked about because a lot of these things I've gone in a little bit more in depth. I tried to give you a little bit of overview today. But as usual, protect your nest. Let's talk it over. This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice.  Brandon's principal office is located at 101 N. 7th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.

7. 

   16 Feb 2026

   What Is an Irrevocable Trust?

   Episode 6:  In this episode of Protect Your Nest, Attorney Brandon Lawrence provides an in-depth guide on the legal vehicles necessary for Medicaid nursing home preparation. He explains that in Kentucky, individuals must meet strict financial criteria, including a monthly income limit and a total asset limit. Beyond finances, applicants must be at least 65 years old or have a medical professional certify their need for 24-hour skilled nursing care. Brandon explains the challenge of the five-year look-back period, where Medicaid reviews all financial transactions prior to the application date to identify any attachable assets. To navigate this, he recommends using irrevocable trusts, which effectively remove assets from a person's "countable" resources by transferring ownership to the trust. Brandon also explains how your situation might call for a Medicaid asset protection trust, an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) and explains how a Miller Trust (or Qualified Income Trust) can hold surplus funds to maintain eligibility. He also warns that without these vehicles, nursing homes can liquidate a family home through probate after a resident passes away to recoup costs. It's important to starting this planning as early as possible. Ultimately, Brandon's goal is to help clients use these tools to preserve their income and pass their legacy to the next generation. Chapters: 00:40    Welcome and Introduction 04:32    The Medicaid Spend Down 05:49    Irrevocable Trust:  Shifting Ownership to Protect Assets 09:21    Other Types of Trust 17:33    Legacy Preservation and Avoiding Estate Recovery 18:58    Conclusion These are some short, simple ways, and also if you want to get some more in-depth conversation about these or go into more details, specifics on how to utilize these tools and some more tools, you can always contact me at LawyerForTheCity.org. You can email me, call me, and then we can set up an appointment and go in depth and look at what type of vehicle will be best for you. Would it be a revocable trust? Would it be an irrevocable trust? Will it be a Will? What are your plans? What are your goals for protecting your money for qualifying for Medicaid if you need to get into a nursing home? Because also in addition with the nursing homes, they only have a certain amount of Medicaid beds.  All the beds are not allocated for Medicaid. You have a certain amount of Medicaid beds, and this is with memory care, with nursing homes and other type of senior facilities that serve the aging population. The best thing that you can do is try to prepare early, as early as you can and to put yourself in the most advantageous position because obviously it's extremely important. And hopefully we're all going to age into a ripe old age, and some of us are going to need more assistance than others. And we don't really know what situation we're going to be in, if we'll have our spouse, if we won't, if we'll have our family around, if we won't. So we want to take the most precautions and make the best plan that's going to be most beneficial to us. And that's what we all strive to do. There are tools out there to help you to do that, and you want to take advantage of them and go to a professional that can help you out and assist you with making the best plan most suitable for you. And I thank you for listening. Look forward to coming back and give you some more information on another episode of Protect Your Nest. And in the meantime, it's getting warm out there. The snow is melting, but still watch your step and take care of yourself. Until next time, this is Brandon Lawrence, the Lawyer for the City. For More Information: Website:           www.LawyerForTheCity.org (http://www.LawyerForTheCity.org) Phone:             (502) 996-7735 This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice.  Brandon's principal office is located at 101 N. 7th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.

8. 

   10 Feb 2026

   How to Shield Assets before a Nursing Home Stay

   Episode 5:  Estate planning attorney Brandon Lawrence discusses important considerations related to a nursing home stay.  You may be able to qualify for Medicaid benefits.  He'll explain how to shield assets before a nursing home stay, so you don't have to sell your home to qualify.  However, beware of the five-year look-back period. Chapters 00:35    Welcome 01:27    Medicaid Statistics and Nursing Home Demographics 05:26    Nursing Home Costs Breakdown 08:45    Planning and Qualification Requirements 12:50    Asset Protection and Quality of Life Goals 18:51    Five-Year Look-Back Period 19:51    Conclusion So, these are important things that you want to get ahead of. And a professional like myself can help you go in the right direction, save you some money, save you some heartache, and get you qualified for Medicaid, in order to stay in a proper facility with professional people that are going to give you the quality of care that you need and that your money is going to buy along with the assistance of the government. Because of course, you've worked your whole life and you deserve some dignity when you need a place to stay and someone to help you out when you need it. So hopefully, we'll get into some future ways to help you save and qualify and get prepared for the qualification of Medicaid, if in fact you have to go into a nursing home, and give you that information for preparation in the future. But until then, we wish you a great time. Stay warm and thank you for listening to the Protecting Nest Podcast with the lawyer for the city, Brandon Lawrence. Let's talk it over. For More Information: Website:           www.LawyerForTheCity.org (http://www.LawyerForTheCity.org) Phone:             (502) 996-7735 This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice.  Brandon's principal office is located at 101 N. 7th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.

9. 

   18 Dec 2025

   Life Insurance and Estate Planning with Denise Bentley

   Episode 4:  Estate planning attorney Brandon Lawrence sits down with insurance expert Denise Bentley to explore how life insurance integrates with comprehensive estate planning. They discuss different types of policies, common misconceptions, and why having proper coverage is essential for protecting your family's financial future when you're gone. Chapters 00:34    Welcome and Guest Introduction 02:29    Types of Life Insurance Policies 04:40    Affordability and Policy Selection 05:39    Term vs. Whole Life Insurance 12:10    Insurance Underwriting and Contestability 19:30    Reviewing and Updating Beneficiaries 23:23    Insurable Interest Requirements 27:55    Conclusion Brandon Lawrence: And that's why we want everybody out here listening to share this episode in particular because this is some great information that Ms. Bentley has provided to us, and it's something that everybody can use. It's going to be beneficial to a lot of people. And I think it's great that you should share this information and keep on. That's why you keep watching and watching for future episodes. Thank you, Ms. Bentley for coming out. Denise Bentley: Thank you for the invite. I didn't think I'd make it with this snowy day. I appreciate it, and I appreciate you doing this because people need to hear what you're saying and people need to get with you as an estate planner. And I'll say it again, whether it's me or another agent, sit down and have that conversation. And you made a good point. Bring your family to the table because often there's siblings that have different points of views or how they think things should go, but ultimately make sure that you have some type of safety net in the event of your transitioning. Brandon Lawrence: Well, most definitely. And thank you for coming, again.  This has been another episode of Protect Your Nest with me, attorney Brandon Lawrence, the Lawyer for the City. Until next time, let's talk it over. For More Information: Website:           www.LawyerForTheCity.org (http://www.LawyerForTheCity.org) Phone:             (502) 996-7735 This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice.  Brandon's principal office is located at 101 N. 7th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.  Jim Ray is a non-attorney spokesperson.

10. 

    8 Dec 2025

    Estate Planning Interview with Steve Murhpy

    Episode 3:  Attorney Brandon Lawrence opens the episode of Protect Your Nest by welcoming Steve Murphy, Vice President and General Manager of WLOU and WLLV Radio, to talk about estate planning. Brandon and Steve discuss how "estate planning" is often viewed as a scary or misunderstood term. People to mistakenly believe it's only for the wealthy. It's really a practical tool and a positive mindset used to protect assets, providing one's family the same quality of life after you are gone. They talk about when you should begin estate planning and important considerations. An effective estate plan is a lasting "gift that keeps on giving." Chapters 00:34    Welcome and Guest Introduction 02:40    Why Estate Planning Can Seem Intimidating 07:00    Is There a Maximum or Minimum Needed to Get Started? 09:26    What's the Best Age to Setup an Estate Plan? 12:51    Use a Trust to Protect Your Nest if You Go into a Nursing Home 17:20    An Estate Plan Depends on your Specific Needs 19:08    Should My Spouse and I Have a Separate Estate Plan? 20:35    Use an Estate Plan to Deal with Blended Families 23:42    Why Use Brandon Lawrence for Estate Planning Advice? 26:07    Conclusion For More Information: Website:           www.LawyerForTheCity.org (http://www.LawyerForTheCity.org) Phone:             (502) 996-7735 This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice.  Brandon's principal office is located at 101 N. 7th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.

11. 

    18 Nov 2025

    Why Should You Have an Estate Plan?

    Episode 2:  In this episode, Louisville estate planning attorney Brandon Lawrence addresses the question, "Why should you have an estate plan?"  He'll highlight several key factors to be considered.  Brandon also emphasizes it can be a simple process when you work with an experienced attorney. Chapters 00:56    Keep the Court out of Your Business 02:06    Minimize or Avoid Unnecessary Delays 02:41    Make Sure Your Wishes Are Carried Out 05:31    Minimize Family Drama and Arguments 06:42    Plan for Tax Implications 08:31    Create a Financial Legacy 11:15    Summary 12:49    Conclusion And in the future, we're going to be getting more about, we're going to be getting more specific, having some guests, some experts come in and talk about these topics, to flesh them out, to break 'em down for you and show you why it is extremely beneficial for you to estate plan. It's not complicated. We'll break it down. It's easy to do. You sit down with the professional, somebody that you trust and get to know that's there to help you navigate and plan out a roadmap for your family's future and your legacy before you leave this earth. And to know that you've left something for them, for the benefit of them, and it makes you feel good before you pass away. So those are things that we're going to be talking about and we're going to make it fun and as exciting as possible. We're going to make it easy for you to do. And we're going to make you be able envision why you should do it and what you can do to accomplish these things. We appreciate you listening to this episode. We'll see you on the next one. Make sure you make it back and tell somebody else to bring somebody else next time with you when you're listening and watching. Thank you very much. This is Brandon Lawrence, the Lawyer For The City, and you've been listening to Protect Your Nest. For More Information: Website:           www.LawyerForTheCity.org (http://www.LawyerForTheCity.org) Phone:             (502) 996-7735 This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice.  Brandon's principal office is located at 101 N. 7th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.

12. 

    5 Nov 2025

    Meet Attorney Brandon J. Lawerence

    Episode 1:  Welcome to the debut of the Protect Your Nest Podcast, featuring Louisville attorney Brandon J. Lawrence! Brandon brings nearly 20 years of experience to his new platform.  He'll tackle the crucial, though often put-off, topics of estate planning, Wills, trusts, and probate. Brandon understands how important these issues are to people.  His goal is to educate and guide families, so their legacy lives on.  With the right plan, they can be assured their families will be secure after they are gone. Many people find planning complicated, but really, you just need a plan.  The earlier you start, the better the outcome. Life constantly changes due to things like new children or divorce.  The documents are fluid and the planning process is ongoing. Without proper documentation on paper, the court will step in and make important decisions for the family, which may not align with wishes you expressed verbally. Learning how to plan effectively is key to preserving property and wealth while minimizing taxes and keeping the courts out of your private affairs. For More Information: Website:           www.LawyerForTheCity.org (http://www.LawyerForTheCity.org) Phone:             (502) 996-7735 This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice.  Brandon's principal office is located at 101 N. 7th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.  Jim Ray is a non-attorney spokesperson.

13. 

    27 Oct 2025

    Brandon Lawrence Announces His New Podcast

    Get ready! The Protect Your Nest Podcast with me, attorney Brandon Lawrence, is launching November 5th! If you've ever wondered how to make smart decisions about Wills, trusts, healthcare directives, or probate — this is your go-to source. Each episode, my guest and I will break down the legal talk into real conversations that help you understand your options and protect your family. It's practical, relatable, and focused on giving you the confidence to plan ahead. Catch new episodes on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, LinkedIn, Facebook, or on my website, LawyerForTheCity.org (http://lawyerforthecity.org/). The Protect Your Nest Podcast — coming November 5th, wherever you listen. Plan smart. Protect your future…Let's talk it over.

14. 

    20 Oct 2025

    The Protect Your Next Podcast with Brandon Lawrence

    Louisville attorney Brandon Lawrence launches his new podcast, Protect Your Nest on 11/05/25.  Brandon will focus on topics related to estate planning, Wills, trusts, probate and related issues.  You'll be able to follow the podcast on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Facebook, LinkedIn and on Brandon's website:  www.LawyerForTheCity.org. Get ready for the Protect Your Nest Podcast.  As Brandon always says, "Let's Talk It Over."

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.