Most people walk into a lawyer’s office, pay a few thousand dollars for a will, and walk out thinking they’ve checked the “estate planning” box. They feel a sense of relief. But what they don’t realize is that they’ve actually just bought a ticket to the most expensive and time-consuming “ride” in the American legal system. Andrew Winnett has spent his career fighting against this kind of “status quo” advice. He saw his own mother get caught in the gears of a financial industry that prioritizes process over people. When we talk about being a “Retirement Renegade,” we aren’t just talking about picking better stocks. We’re talking about a total rebellion against a system that allows the state to put its hand in your pocket the moment you aren’t here to defend yourself.
The reality is that a will is a public invitation for the probate court to get involved. It is a document that, by definition, must be “proven” in a court of law. This means your family can’t just take your word for it. They have to hire a lawyer, file a petition, and wait for a judge to give them permission to handle your assets. At Retirement Renegade, we think that is an insult to a lifetime of hard work. We want to show you a smart way to avoid probate in estate planning that keeps the power where it belongs: with you and your heirs.
The Hidden “Death Taxes” Nobody Talks About
While the federal estate tax only hits the very wealthy, “probate taxes”—disguised as legal fees, filing fees, and executor commissions—hit everyone. In many states, these costs can easily swallow 5% to 8% of your total estate. If you’ve worked forty years to save a million dollars, you’re essentially handing $50,000 to $80,000 to the “system” for no reason other than you didn’t have a bypass plan. Andrew Winnett started this mission because he saw an advisor acting like a “chicken with his head cut off” during the 2008 crash. He realized then that most of the industry doesn’t have a plan for the “downside” of life.
They focus on the “possibilities” of growth because that’s how they justify their high fees. We focus on the “guarantees” of protection. Protecting your principal isn’t just about avoiding a market crash. It’s about avoiding the “legal crash” that happens in probate. We use a “Multi-Dimensional Approach” to look for these leaks. We want to make sure your kids don’t have to sell the family home just to pay the lawyers who are “helping” them settle the estate. It’s about being a “Protective Rebel” for your own family.
See also: Why Real-Time Crude Oil Analysis Is Becoming Critical for Refinery Performance
Why Time is Your Family’s Most Valuable Asset
When you lose a loved one, the world stops. But the bills don’t. Your spouse still needs to buy groceries, pay the property taxes, and keep the lights on. If your bank accounts are frozen because they’re waiting for a probate judge’s signature, your family is in a crisis. This is why we focus on “hybrid contractual products.” These tools are essentially a “private lane” for your money. They don’t wait for the court. They don’t check with a judge. They move from the institution to your beneficiary in a matter of days.
We call this a guaranteed legacy protection plan. It’s built on the idea that the “velocity of wealth” matters. You shouldn’t have to wait eighteen months to access the money your husband or wife intended for you. Andrew saw his mother forced back into a minimum wage job because the money wasn’t protected and it wasn’t accessible. He vowed that he would never let that happen to a client. We treat your retirement like a mission. It’s about making sure the “underdog” wins for once.
The “Relationship Sit-Down” Difference
We don’t do “cookie-cutter” financial plans because you don’t have a “cookie-cutter” life. We start with a “Relationship Sit-Down” where we actually listen. We want to know about your kids, your grandkids, and your fears. We use “movie sessions” and simple books to educate you, because an educated client is a protected client. We don’t use corporate fluff or words like “leverage” or “catalyst.” We talk like real people because we are real people. We offer a No Advisor Fee Guarantee because we believe our job is to protect your money, not to eat it.
Breaking Free from the AUM Model
The traditional financial world uses the “AUM” (Assets Under Management) model. They take a percentage of your total wealth every year, regardless of whether you’re making money or losing it. And because they get paid based on how much money is “under” their control, they have very little incentive to show you how to move that money out of the system and into a private contract for your heirs. They want the money to stay exactly where it is so they can keep charging the fee.
A true “Retirement Renegade” looks at that and says, “No thanks.” We believe your money should work for you, not your advisor. We look at over 75 different institutions and 1,200 products to find the ones that offer principal protection and probate bypass. We aren’t tied to any one company. Our only loyalty is to you and the “protective rebel” philosophy that Andrew Winnett built this brand on. We want you to retire with more than just your dignity; we want you to retire with a fortress around your assets.
The Looming Storm of the Future
We are living in uncertain times. Washington is always looking for ways to raise taxes, and Social Security is a constant question mark. Your estate plan needs to be “battle-tested.” It needs to be able to weather the “looming storm” of tax hikes and market volatility. If your plan relies on the “status quo,” you’re leaving yourself vulnerable. We help you look at the whole picture—Medicare, tax planning, and legacy protection.
It’s much easier to fix these problems now than it is for your family to fix them at a funeral home. Take the time to ask the hard questions. Does my plan avoid the courts? Is my principal guaranteed? Am I paying “silent” fees to an advisor who isn’t protecting me? If you don’t like the answers, it’s time to join the renegades. We believe in securing your family with Andrew Winnett’s strategy because it’s the same strategy we use for our own families.
Don’t let the state be the primary beneficiary of your life’s work. You saved it, you earned it, and you should be the one who decides exactly how—and how fast—it gets to the people you love.
