For those who replied via Facebook, email, text, or a telephone call.

For upcoming events, click here.

Rough Transcript

Hello, this is Paul Truesdell. It’s Monday, November 4, 2024. I’ll be really blunt: I’m not particularly skilled with Facebook, and neither is anyone else here at our firm. However, we did post an announcement there about our casual breakfast conversations, and it seems you responded, either with a like or a comment indicating interest in attending.

So, here are a few quick notes. If you’d like to attend, please complete the reservation form linked here, so we have your contact information. A lovely team member, Carol Benninger, will reach out to confirm. Since seating is limited due to space constraints, we cap attendance around 20 to 25 people to keep the atmosphere casual and conversational.

On November 14, we’ll be discussing "No-Commission Real Estate." Yes, it's possible—we've developed a no-commission, fixed-cost model through Truesdell Consulting, similar to what we did with our law firm and investment advisory services. Now, we’re applying this model to real estate. I guarantee it will make sense, and it’s something you don’t want to miss.

The following day, on November 15, we’ll cover "True Estate Documents." This event will also take place at the Stone Creek Grill. Stone Creek is a fantastic 55+ retirement community, and while gated, this event is open to the public. Simply turn left before the guard gate into the golf course area, and you’ll find the location easily.

Over my career, I’ve spoken in front of around 65,000 people on estate planning, asset protection, wealth transfer, and investment. Many of those sessions were part of what we used to call the Living Trust Reality Workshop, which I’ve now retired. Our new focus is on True Estate Documents.

Now, you might be wondering how I can cover all this in 20 or 30 minutes. Here’s how: arrive around 9:45 AM, grab a bite from the buffet, sit back, and relax. I’ll keep my remarks to about 25-30 minutes, focusing on the key points, because I want to leave plenty of time for your questions. When you leave, you’ll have access to our online “Learning Hive,” a library of audio and video resources.

For example, on the estate documents alone, we have around 36 audio segments that delve into specific details. These cover topics like the differences between a standard power of attorney and a durable power of attorney, what a springing power is, the distinctions between a living will, a health care power of attorney, and a DNR, and how each applies in various scenarios. This way, if you later have questions, you can revisit the material and stay informed, which also makes future appointments more efficient and productive for everyone.

I take a "ONE School" approach, blending "Old School" with "NEw school." It’s a traditional yet innovative way of doing things, and this approach allows prospective clients to get to know me and decide if they want to work with me. This first meeting is an audition of sorts—an opportunity for you to see if we’re a good fit.

I believe relationships are key, and working with someone you like and trust is essential. Our motto is simple: we’re traditional, transparent, and trustworthy. If that resonates with you, we’d love to work together. Regardless, you’ll leave with valuable information.

Thank you for your interest. To reserve your spot, please complete the form or call us directly at 352-612-1000. That’s our local number, which connects to the Truesdell Professional Building—our office located in the Ocala International Commerce Park, near the Ocala International Airport and the World Equestrian Center. We’ve been here for over 32 years and have served thousands of clients in our nearly 40-year history.

We’d be honored to meet you. As I always say in closing, “Tippecanoe and Tyler too.” I’m out of here - later! Bye.

Sample True Estate Documents

Bite Size Bite Audios - Click on MORE INFO for the summary and transcript.

Transcript for Audio 36

Well, if you've listened to these audios, there's a high probability that you've met me at some point—perhaps in a casual conversation, at breakfast, or over lunch. We don’t do dinners. You may have met me in some other setting where I gave you access to these, and this is how I conduct my business. My business is based on a philosophy of CAMELOT: common sense, advice, management, education, and encouragement with logic, organization, and technology.

For me, taking the time to create an audio series like this reduces the time and effort I need to spend when talking to people, allowing us to have a rational conversation. It's not about getting lost in complex connections—like saying the knee bone is connected to the head bone, which is connected to the thigh, and then you have the phalanges. No, the fingers are still connected to the hand, the knee is still connected to the leg, and the skull remains the skull—no other bones are attached to it. I know that sounds silly and perhaps a bit odd, but you need to know the terminology to have a rational, mature conversation that makes sense.

The same principle applies to the world of investing. Many people have a little knowledge, and they become dangerous. It’s the same with insurance, taxes, accounting, and the field of law. Yes, it can be complicated. Here’s the thing—I can sit down, read a book, and pass almost any test blindfolded. I’m pretty good at that stuff, but don't ever ask me to handle electrical work. I understand plumbing, but I wouldn’t want to do it. I can't stand it. I know carpentry, and I could oversee the building of another office, but I won't do the work myself. The point is, just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

One of my concerns when I share these audio series is that someone might think, “Oh, I can do this all myself.” Don’t do that. If you want to pursue this seriously, then join our profession. But don't try to go it alone. There's an issue where people often fail to distinguish between majors and minors. Some people major in the minors and minor in the majors. Others major in the majors and minor in the minors. Then there are those who focus on what they excel at—things that are good, profitable, and within their control—and delegate the minor things with proper oversight.

I have a philosophy, represented by the acronym TEAM: Time, Effort, Aggravation, and Money. You always want to minimize and maximize these factors. I’m sharing this because I want you to understand how passionate I am about working with nice people who appreciate what we do and refer others to us. That’s a big deal to me. We have clients who are mostly transactional; I understand that. We have clients whose finances and wealth we manage, and it's a professional relationship, but they never refer anyone to us. Then there are clients who become true partners—friends, even. We never cross the line because of the saying, "You don’t do business with friends," but we maintain a true, fair, fiduciary-based relationship. And fairness goes both ways. There's no such thing as a free lunch. People who don’t want to pay for your time and service aren’t the right fit, and that’s where a good balance is crucial.

Let me be clear—those who refer us business, we take care of them. We truly do. This audio series on estate documents is, I think, pretty darn good. You can listen back and forth and pick up on different things. Sure, maybe I made a mistake or two, bumped the microphone, or said something a little odd, but it all comes from a massive amount of experience and genuine sincerity. I genuinely enjoy what I do. I’m good at it, it’s profitable, and I’m in control of it.

People often ask, "Paul, when are you going to retire?" Well, to be blunt, I retired on October 1, 1986. I was financially independent then, and ever since, I’ve been doing what I like, what I’m good at, what’s profitable, and what I can control. I like working with nice people. So, if you’re a nice person, I’d love the opportunity to meet with you one-on-one—whether through the law firm or any of the other Truesdell Companies. We’d appreciate your business, especially if you’re a good person. If not, there are plenty of others out there who can use your money, but not us.