The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate planning podcast

Jill Mastroianni - Estate Planning & Probate Attorney/Lawyer for Women
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You’re the one prepping for your child’s IEP meeting while trying to talk your aging dad out of getting a puppy. You’re booking medical appointments, managing the money, juggling work emails during school pickup and still expected to keep the fridge stocked and know who has practice, rehearsal, or a field trip tomorrow. Your parents are struggling, but they still insist they’re fine. You see the mobility issues, the memory slips, the unopened mail, but every offer to help feels like an argument. You’re scared to push. You’re scared to wait. And there’s no clear roadmap for how to do any of this without losing your mind or your family. Hosted by Jill Mastroianni, an estate planning and probate attorney and trusted guide for women holding it all together, this podcast is your space to untangle the mess. With more than a decade of legal experience, Jill brings clarity to the hardest conversations most families avoid until it’s too late. Each episode offers honest stories, practical tools, and bite-sized steps you can actually take, even if you’re overwhelmed, even if you’re grieving, even if you’re still waiting for your mom to give you the password to the computer. You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a place to start. Death readiness isn’t about control. It’s about love and the courage to face what’s next with open eyes and a steady hand.

  1. 1d ago

    Why Your Power of Attorney Can't Do Everything

    When someone you love names you as agent under a power of attorney, it can feel like you'll be able to step in and handle whatever needs to be done. But what happens when the law says otherwise? In this episode, I share the story of a Tennessee woman who discovered that even a broad financial power of attorney has limits. Through a real-life example involving a conservatorship, a probate estate, and a Florida real estate sale, we'll explore what powers of attorney can do, what they can't do, and how thoughtful estate planning can help ensure the right people have the right authority when it's needed most. Along the way, you'll learn why caring deeply about someone doesn't automatically give you the legal ability to act on their behalf, and how one woman's careful estate planning may continue helping others long after she's gone.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why a financial power of attorney gives authority over your affairs, but not necessarily over every role you hold.  The difference between acting for yourself and serving in a fiduciary role for someone else.  Why an agent under a power of attorney cannot automatically step in as an executor, conservator, trustee, board member, or other fiduciary.  How courts determine who serves as a successor executor or conservator when the original person can no longer serve.  What a fiduciary is and why fiduciary responsibilities are more common than many people realize.  How revocable trusts can help avoid probate delays, especially when you own real estate in multiple states.  Why funding your trust is just as important as creating it.  The importance of confirming that a named successor trustee is actually willing and able to serve.  How thoughtful estate planning can remove obstacles for loved ones and even help people you've never met.  Resources & Links Related Episodes Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZAUuZrrsot8 Episode 17: How Powers of Attorney Work, When to Use Them, and When It's Too Late to Get One: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/episode-17-how-powers-of-attorney-work-when-to-use-them-and-when-its-too-late-to-get-one Episodes Featuring Kristen Lewis Episode 8: A Parents’ Guide to Special Needs Estate Planning: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/a-parents-guide-to-special-needs-estate-planning Episode 9: How to Choose the Right Special Needs Estate Planning Team: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/how-to-choose-the-right-special-needs-estate-planning-team Tennessee Estate Planning Services: https://www.deathreadiness.com/estate-planning-solution Connect with Jill: Website: DeathReadiness.com Email: jill@deathreadiness.com Learn more about Jill’s solutions Subscribe to the Death Readiness Dispatch! Ask a question for Tuesday Triage Did you enjoy this episode? Share it with someone you care about. This podcast provides estate planning guidance for women and discusses real, practical issues, from caregiving, pre-planning a funeral, how to avoid probate using beneficiary designations, planning for individuals with special needs (and special needs trusts), whether you need a professional fiduciary (trustee or executor), how the estate tax works and how to preserve your legacy.   Tuesday Triage episodes answer questions from listeners like you, from powers of attorney, healthcare advance directives (and whether they work when you’re pregnant), what a Last Will and Testament really is, whether you need a trust, how Medicaid works and how to have senior and elder care conversations and how to care for aging parents.   Disclaimer: This podcast and all related content are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established here. Use of this information without careful analysis and review by your attorney, CPA, and/or financial advisor may cause serious adverse consequences. For legal guidance tailored to your unique situation, consult with a licensed attorney in your state.

    20 min

  2. Jun 16

    What You Need to Know About Corporate Trustees

    Michael thought he had done everything right. He created a revocable trust, avoided probate, and named a neutral third party to serve as trustee after his death. But when the corporate trustee declined to serve, his family spent fourteen years trying to untangle the consequences. In this episode, Jill explains what corporate trustees do, why they sometimes say no, and how to make sure your estate plan works not just on paper, but in real life. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why avoiding probate shouldn't be the only goal of estate planning What a corporate trustee is and how it differs from an individual trustee Reasons a corporate trustee might decline to serve Why trust companies have minimum asset requirements and internal policies How certain assets, like closely held business interests and mineral rights, can complicate trust administration What silent trusts are and why some corporate trustees are hesitant to administer them Why some institutions decline to serve as trustee of an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) How involving a corporate trustee during the planning process can help identify potential problems before they affect your family What happens when no trustee is available to serve after your death How state trust laws addresses vacancies in trusteeship The importance of naming backup trustees and creating contingency plans Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8yPS4NeTQng  Episode 19: Why You Need or Don’t Need a Trust: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/episode-19-how-to-know-if-you-need-a-trust Tennessee Estate Planning Solution: https://www.deathreadiness.com/estate-planning-solution Connect with Jill: Website: DeathReadiness.com Email: jill@deathreadiness.com Learn more about Jill’s solutions Subscribe to the Death Readiness Dispatch! Ask a question for Tuesday Triage Did you enjoy this episode? Share it with someone you care about. This podcast provides estate planning guidance for women and discusses real, practical issues, from caregiving, pre-planning a funeral, how to avoid probate using beneficiary designations, planning for individuals with special needs (and special needs trusts), whether you need a professional fiduciary (trustee or executor), how the estate tax works and how to preserve your legacy.   Tuesday Triage episodes answer questions from listeners like you, from powers of attorney, healthcare advance directives (and whether they work when you’re pregnant), what a Last Will and Testament really is, whether you need a trust, how Medicaid works and how to have senior and elder care conversations and how to care for aging parents.   Disclaimer: This podcast and all related content are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established here. Use of this information without careful analysis and review by your attorney, CPA, and/or financial advisor may cause serious adverse consequences. For legal guidance tailored to your unique situation, consult with a licensed attorney in your state.

    20 min
  3. How Creditors Can Delay a Probate Estate

    Jun 9

    How Creditors Can Delay a Probate Estate

    Can you open a probate estate, distribute the assets, close the file, and move on without worrying about creditors? Not quite. In this episode of The Death Readiness Podcast, Jill answers a listener's question about why probate sometimes feels painfully slow. Using Tennessee law as an example, she explains how the creditor claims process works, why executors can't simply skip legal formalities, and what can happen if beneficiaries receive their inheritances before all of the creditor deadlines have expired.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why probate courts don't allow executors to rush through estate administration What it actually means to "open" a probate estate Why probate courts publish Notices to Creditors What "reasonably ascertainable" creditors are and why they matter How creditor notice deadlines work Why certified mail can play an important role in probate administration What happens if beneficiaries receive distributions before all creditor deadlines expire Why beneficiaries may be required to return inherited funds to satisfy valid creditor claims What it means for a creditor to formally "file a claim" against an estate Why a creditor can't simply call the executor and ask to be paid What documentation creditors must provide when filing a claim Why filing a claim doesn't automatically mean the creditor gets paid How executors decide whether to accept or object to a creditor's claim Why sometimes it makes financial sense to pay a small disputed claim rather than litigate it The importance of following legal formalities, even when they seem inefficient or unnecessary Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CikfGGHRNmQ Ask a question for Tuesday Triage: https://www.deathreadiness.com/tuesdaytriage Connect with Jill: Website: DeathReadiness.com Email: jill@deathreadiness.com Learn more about Jill’s solutions Subscribe to the Death Readiness Dispatch! Ask a question for Tuesday Triage Did you enjoy this episode? Share it with someone you care about.     This podcast provides estate planning guidance for women and discusses real, practical issues, from caregiving, pre-planning a funeral, how to avoid probate using beneficiary designations, planning for individuals with special needs (and special needs trusts), whether you need a professional fiduciary (trustee or executor), how the estate tax works and how to preserve your legacy.   Tuesday Triage episodes answer questions from listeners like you, from powers of attorney, healthcare advance directives (and whether they work when you’re pregnant), what a Last Will and Testament really is, whether you need a trust, how Medicaid works and how to have senior and elder care conversations and how to care for aging parents.   Disclaimer: This podcast and all related content are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established here. Use of this information without careful analysis and review by your attorney, CPA, and/or financial advisor may cause serious adverse consequences. For legal guidance tailored to your unique situation, consult with a licensed attorney in your state.

    19 min
  4. What You Need to Know About Estate Planning at 30

    Jun 2

    What You Need to Know About Estate Planning at 30

    What estate planning documents does a healthy 30-year-old actually need? In this episode of The Death Readiness Podcast, Jill answers a question from a young listener who wondered what someone her age should be doing about estate planning. Using stories from her own life, including the loss of several young friends, Jill explains why estate planning isn't just for retirees. You'll learn why powers of attorney and healthcare advance directives may be more important than a Will when you're young, how the famous Nancy Cruzan case changed the conversation around end-of-life decision-making, and what a recent Michigan court decision means for pregnant individuals and advance directives. Most importantly, you'll learn why estate planning doesn't have to be perfect; it just has to start. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why Young Adults Often Avoid Estate Planning Most people in their twenties and thirties aren't ignoring estate planning because they're irresponsible. They're avoiding it because no one has ever explained it to them. Estate planning feels expensive, complicated, and irrelevant—until life proves otherwise.  The Four Core Estate Planning Documents Jill explains the four foundational documents that make up a basic estate plan: Last Will and Testament  Financial Power of Attorney  Healthcare Power of Attorney  Healthcare Advance Directive (Living Will)  She also shares which of these documents she actually had when she was thirty years old.  Why Powers of Attorney Matter More Than You Think A financial power of attorney allows someone you trust to manage financial matters if you're unable to do so yourself. Jill explains the difference between immediate and springing powers of attorney and why she chose to put one in place long before she thought she would ever need it.  Bad Things Happen to Young People Too Estate planning isn't just about death. Jill reflects on the loss of former teammates, friends, and family members whose lives changed unexpectedly due to illness, accidents, and catastrophic medical events. Those experiences taught her an important lesson: A tragedy may be unlikely, but it's never impossible.  What Nancy Cruzan Can Teach Us Nancy Cruzan was only 25 years old when a car accident left her in a persistent vegetative state. Because she hadn't left clear instructions about her wishes, her family spent years in court, including a case before the United States Supreme Court, trying to answer one heartbreaking question: What would Nancy have wanted?  Michigan's New Advance Directive Ruling A recent Michigan court decision struck down a state law that prevented patient advocates from carrying out certain end-of-life decisions for pregnant patients. Jill explains: What the law previously said  Why it was challenged  How the ruling affects Michigan residents  Why pregnancy-related restrictions on advance directives still exist in many states  This discussion also connects to the story of Adriana Smith, the Georgia nurse whose case sparked a national conversation about pregnancy and end-of-life decision-making.  Do You Need a Will at 30? Jill shares her own situation as a 30-year-old attorney: Single   No children  Two retirement accounts  A checking account  A house  She explains why she didn't have a Will at that stage of life and why beneficiary designations and account titling can sometimes accomplish much of what young adults need.  Estate Planning Isn't a Pass-Fail Test One of the biggest mistakes people make is believing they need to do everything perfectly. Instead, Jill encourages listeners to think of estate planning as a series of small steps: Sign a healthcare power of attorney  Complete an advance directive  Create a financial power of attorney  Add beneficiaries to accounts  Organize key information for loved ones  Every step makes life easier for the people who may one day need to help you. Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Nde4fFp5Hmk The Death Readiness Playbook: https://www.deathreadiness.com/playbook Important Information Sheets: https://www.deathreadiness.com/resources/important-information-sheets Michigan statutory financial power of attorney form: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2025/08/06/fillable-power-of-attorney-forms-now-available-on-department-of-attorney-general-website Access state-specific Healthcare Power of Attorney forms: https://www.caringinfo.org/planning/advance-directives/by-state/ Episode 17: How Powers of Attorney Work, When to Use Them, and When It’s Too Late to Get One: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/episode-17-how-powers-of-attorney-work-when-to-use-them-and-when-its-too-late-to-get-one Episode 22: What Every Parent Needs to Know When Their Child Turns 18: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/episode-22-what-every-parent-needs-to-know-when-their-child-turns-18 Episode 23: What Happens When a Pregnant Woman Is Declared Brain Dead?:  https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/episode-23-what-happens-when-a-pregnant-woman-is-declared-brain-dead Episode 68: Why Good Powers of Attorney Still Fail: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/68 Connect with Jill: Website: DeathReadiness.com Email: jill@deathreadiness.com Learn more about Jill’s solutions Subscribe to the Death Readiness Dispatch! Ask a question for Tuesday Triage This podcast provides estate planning guidance for women and discusses real, practical issues, from caregiving, pre-planning a funeral, how to avoid probate using beneficiary designations, planning for individuals with special needs (and special needs trusts), whether you need a professional fiduciary (trustee or executor), how the estate tax works and how to preserve your legacy.   Tuesday Triage episodes answer questions from listeners like you, from powers of attorney, healthcare advance directives (and whether they work when you’re pregnant), what a Last Will and Testament really is, whether you need a trust, how Medicaid works and how to have senior and elder care conversations and how to care for aging parents.   Disclaimer: This podcast and all related content are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established here. Use of this information without careful analysis and review by your attorney, CPA, and/or financial advisor may cause serious adverse consequences. For legal guidance tailored to your unique situation, consult with a licensed attorney in your state.

    18 min
  5. How to Prepare for Retirement Without Panic

    May 26

    How to Prepare for Retirement Without Panic

    Jill Mastroianni is joined by her close friend and financial advisor, Blair Coffman Martin, to discuss how to approach retirement planning, long-term care, and helping adult children without feeling overwhelmed. Blair emphasizes that financial planning isn’t about having all the answers upfront; it’s about starting with what you know, organizing your spending, and creating a flexible plan for the future. They also cover required minimum distributions (RMDs), consolidating accounts, and strategies to involve adult children responsibly in financial decisions. Key Takeaways Retirement readiness is a spectrum, not a single “finish line.” Start by understanding your current spending habits rather than just your savings.  Track spending effectively: Financial advisors can help do the heavy lifting: They can consolidate statements, analyze tax returns, and build an initial plan collaboratively.  Plan for “tent pole” expenses: Big, irregular expenses (roof repairs, new cars, house renovations) should be accounted for in long-term financial planning.  Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): Consolidating accounts simplifies management: Having accounts spread across multiple institutions adds complexity and risk; consolidation helps both clients and advisors.  Including adult children in the conversation: Long-term care planning: Incorporate potential future healthcare needs into financial plans early, even for those not yet in retirement, to reduce uncertainty later.  Financial planning is dynamic: Plans should evolve over time to accommodate changing priorities, unexpected events, or new goals.  It’s okay to feel unprepared: No one is expected to know all the answers before meeting with a financial advisor. Initial conversations often help clarify next steps and provide peace of mind. Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JsqlbeG8SCk Learn more about Blair Coffman Martin and the team at Robert W. Baird and Co. Incorporated: https://lexingtondt.bairdwealth.com/team/blair-c-martin Blair's email: bcmartin@rwbaird.com Blair's phone number: 859-514-0183  Connect with Jill: Website: DeathReadiness.com Email: jill@deathreadiness.com Learn more about Jill’s solutions Subscribe to the Death Readiness Dispatch! Ask a question for Tuesday Triage Did you enjoy this episode? Share it with someone you care about. This podcast provides estate planning guidance for women and discusses real, practical issues, from caregiving, pre-planning a funeral, how to avoid probate using beneficiary designations, planning for individuals with special needs (and special needs trusts), whether you need a professional fiduciary (trustee or executor), how the estate tax works and how to preserve your legacy.   Tuesday Triage episodes answer questions from listeners like you, from powers of attorney, healthcare advance directives (and whether they work when you’re pregnant), what a Last Will and Testament really is, whether you need a trust, how Medicaid works and how to have senior and elder care conversations and how to care for aging parents.   Disclaimer: This podcast and all related content are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established here. Use of this information without careful analysis and review by your attorney, CPA, and/or financial advisor may cause serious adverse consequences. For legal guidance tailored to your unique situation, consult with a licensed attorney in your state.

    38 min

  6. May 19

    How Do You Know If Mom Can Still Sign

    What happens when someone with memory changes needs to sign a will, trust, or power of attorney? Who actually decides whether they’re “competent” enough to sign, and what happens if people disagree? In this episode, Jill Mastroianni share personal stories involving her own mom, a deathbed signing that never happened, and what the law actually says about mental capacity and estate planning. We talk about why competency is not an all-or-nothing question, who acts as the initial gatekeepers during a signing, and why families often begin asking “Can Mom still sign?” when they’re already standing in the middle of a crisis. Most importantly, we talk about why estate planning works best when decisions are made from a place of choice, not urgency. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why “competent” is not a simple yes-or-no determination  The difference between testamentary capacity and contractual capacity  Why someone may be able to sign a will but not a power of attorney  The four things a person generally needs to understand to sign a will  Why dementia does not automatically mean someone lacks legal capacity  Why attorneys sometimes refuse to let a client sign documents  The risks and concerns that can arise when adult children request standalone powers of attorney  The role of notaries and witnesses as gatekeepers, but not final decision-makers  What courts look at when capacity is challenged after a signing  Why moments of lucidity matter in capacity determinations  Why families often wait too long before starting important conversations  The hidden systems we all carry in our heads—passwords, finances, routines, healthcare information, and family details  Why timing matters more than most families realize Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/coX3guCoFMI The Death Readiness Playbook: https://www.deathreadiness.com/playbook Connect with Jill: Website: DeathReadiness.com Email: jill@deathreadiness.com Learn more about Jill’s solutions Subscribe to the Death Readiness Dispatch! Ask a question for Tuesday Triage Did you enjoy this episode? Share it with someone you care about. This podcast provides estate planning guidance for women and discusses real, practical issues, from caregiving, pre-planning a funeral, how to avoid probate using beneficiary designations, planning for individuals with special needs (and special needs trusts), whether you need a professional fiduciary (trustee or executor), how the estate tax works and how to preserve your legacy.   Tuesday Triage episodes answer questions from listeners like you, from powers of attorney, healthcare advance directives (and whether they work when you’re pregnant), what a Last Will and Testament really is, whether you need a trust, how Medicaid works and how to have senior and elder care conversations and how to care for aging parents.   Disclaimer: This podcast and all related content are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established here. Use of this information without careful analysis and review by your attorney, CPA, and/or financial advisor may cause serious adverse consequences. For legal guidance tailored to your unique situation, consult with a licensed attorney in your state.

    14 min
  7. How to Update Estate Planning After a Dementia Diagnosis

    May 12

    How to Update Estate Planning After a Dementia Diagnosis

    What happens when a parent develops dementia and an attorney tells your family it’s “too late” to update estate planning? In this week’s Tuesday Triage episode, Jill walks through a real-life scenario involving outdated trusts, powers of attorney, probate versus non-probate property, and the estate planning opportunities that may still exist even after incapacity enters the picture. This episode explores how understanding asset titling, existing estate planning documents, and revocable trusts can help families creatively adapt an older estate plan to current realities. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Estate planning is not always “all or nothing.” Even if someone can no longer sign new estate planning documents, meaningful planning opportunities may still exist.  Revocable trusts only control assets that are actually transferred into the trust. If the revocable trust was never funded, families may have more flexibility than they realize.  A pour-over will acts as a safety net by directing probate assets into the revocable trust after death.  Understanding how assets are titled is critical when incapacity becomes part of the estate planning picture. Joint ownership, beneficiary designations, and payable-on-death designations can dramatically affect what estate planning options remain available.  Existing durable financial powers of attorney may allow a spouse or agent to continue planning on behalf of an incapacitated individual.  Probate property and non-probate property work differently. Probate property requires court involvement after death. Non-probate property transfers automatically by operation of law, contract, beneficiary designation or trust agreement.  Families should periodically revisit older estate plans. Estate plans that made sense 20 years ago may no longer fit current finances, health concerns, or family dynamics.  Updating powers of attorney for a healthy spouse after the other spouse develops dementia can help make sure both spouses are protected in an emergency.  Estate organization matters. Gathering account information, contacts, passwords, beneficiary designations, and legal documents before a crisis can significantly reduce stress for adult children and caregivers.  Sometimes good estate planning is less about perfection and more about creatively adapting the tools already in place to the realities of life today.  Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6i-C-_q6Mqc Estate Plan Audit: https://www.deathreadiness.com/audit Mollie Lacher and Sunny Care Services: https://sunnycareservices.com/about-us/ Episode 17: How Powers of Attorney Work, When to Use Them, and When It’s Too Late to Get One: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/episode-17-how-powers-of-attorney-work-when-to-use-them-and-when-its-too-late-to-get-one Episode 19: Why You Need (or Don’t Need) a Trust: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/episode-19-how-to-know-if-you-need-a-trust Episode 68: Why Good Powers of Attorney Still Fail: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/68 Probate v. Non-Probate Asset Infographic: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/67427098ef10a8326b64eba9/t/694b2f436198f33cd2adcf08/1766534979768/Probate+and+Non-Probate+Assets+educational+representation.png Connect with Jill: Website: DeathReadiness.com Email: jill@deathreadiness.com Learn more about Jill’s solutions Subscribe to the Death Readiness Dispatch! Ask a question for Tuesday Triage Did you enjoy this episode? Share it with someone you care about. This podcast provides estate planning guidance for women and discusses real, practical issues, from caregiving, pre-planning a funeral, how to avoid probate using beneficiary designations, planning for individuals with special needs (and special needs trusts), whether you need a professional fiduciary (trustee or executor), how the estate tax works and how to preserve your legacy.   Tuesday Triage episodes answer questions from listeners like you, from powers of attorney, healthcare advance directives (and whether they work when you’re pregnant), what a Last Will and Testament really is, whether you need a trust, how Medicaid works and how to have senior and elder care conversations and how to care for aging parents.   Disclaimer: This podcast and all related content are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established here. Use of this information without careful analysis and review by your attorney, CPA, and/or financial advisor may cause serious adverse consequences. For legal guidance tailored to your unique situation, consult with a licensed attorney in your state.

    24 min
  8. How to Take Your Estate Plan Off Script

    May 5

    How to Take Your Estate Plan Off Script

    You can follow all the estate planning rules and still end up with the wrong plan. In this episode, Jill walks through a question from a young attorney who’s been handed traditional estate planning forms and is wondering whether they actually serve her clients. Jill break down how a standard trust structure can limit flexibility for families who don’t need estate tax planning, and how small adjustments can make a big difference. Estate planning isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about building something that works.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode What a traditional Family Trust / Marital Trust estate planning structure is and why it’s so commonly used Why many families today don’t need estate tax planning, even though their documents assume they do The tradeoff between tax planning and flexibility for a surviving spouse A simple rule: the more control you have over an asset, the more likely it is to be included in your taxable estate Why an estate plan can technically “work” and still miss your actual goals How directing assets to a Marital Trust can provide more flexibility in certain situations What a Disclaimer Trust is and how it can build in estate planning flexibility for future law changes Why estate planning should account for human behavior, not just legal theory The best estate plans are designed to adapt over time, not just work on day one Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ad7ZkN6sX6I Estate Plan Audit: https://www.deathreadiness.com/audit Episode 19: Why You Need (or Don’t Need) a Trust: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/episode-19-how-to-know-if-you-need-a-trust Episode 38: Why You Need (or Don’t Need) a Will: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/why-you-need-or-dont-need-a-will Connect with Jill: Website: DeathReadiness.com Email: jill@deathreadiness.com Learn more about Jill’s solutions Subscribe to the Death Readiness Dispatch! Ask a question for Tuesday Triage Did you enjoy this episode? Share it with someone you care about. This podcast provides estate planning guidance for women and discusses real, practical issues, from caregiving, pre-planning a funeral, how to avoid probate using beneficiary designations, planning for individuals with special needs (and special needs trusts), whether you need a professional fiduciary (trustee or executor), how the estate tax works and how to preserve your legacy.   Tuesday Triage episodes answer questions from listeners like you, from powers of attorney, healthcare advance directives (and whether they work when you’re pregnant), what a Last Will and Testament really is, whether you need a trust, how Medicaid works and how to have senior and elder care conversations and how to care for aging parents.   Disclaimer: This podcast and all related content are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established here. Use of this information without careful analysis and review by your attorney, CPA, and/or financial advisor may cause serious adverse consequences. For legal guidance tailored to your unique situation, consult with a licensed attorney in your state.

    18 min
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You’re the one prepping for your child’s IEP meeting while trying to talk your aging dad out of getting a puppy. You’re booking medical appointments, managing the money, juggling work emails during school pickup and still expected to keep the fridge stocked and know who has practice, rehearsal, or a field trip tomorrow. Your parents are struggling, but they still insist they’re fine. You see the mobility issues, the memory slips, the unopened mail, but every offer to help feels like an argument. You’re scared to push. You’re scared to wait. And there’s no clear roadmap for how to do any of this without losing your mind or your family. Hosted by Jill Mastroianni, an estate planning and probate attorney and trusted guide for women holding it all together, this podcast is your space to untangle the mess. With more than a decade of legal experience, Jill brings clarity to the hardest conversations most families avoid until it’s too late. Each episode offers honest stories, practical tools, and bite-sized steps you can actually take, even if you’re overwhelmed, even if you’re grieving, even if you’re still waiting for your mom to give you the password to the computer. You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a place to start. Death readiness isn’t about control. It’s about love and the courage to face what’s next with open eyes and a steady hand.

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