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. 2h ago

    Why Turning 18 Changes Everything in a Medical Crisis

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode What really changes when your child turns 18. Being Mom or Dad no longer necessarily means you’re entitled to healthcare information or automatically have authority to make medical decisions.  Why a HIPAA authorization matters. Once your child is an adult, their medical information belongs to them, even if they’re still on your health insurance and you’re paying the bills. A HIPAA authorization lets them decide who can receive that information.  What a healthcare power of attorney actually does. Access to information and authority to make decisions are two different things. A healthcare POA lets your adult child choose who can make healthcare decisions if they’re unable to make those decisions themselves.  Why naming an agent isn’t enough. Your child can give you authority to make a decision but would you know what they wanted you to decide?  How a healthcare advance directive helps. An advance directive allows your child to document wishes involving serious illness and end-of-life care, including preferences about quality of life and treatments such as CPR, life support, and tube feeding.  The conversation to have with your 18-year-old. Instead of saying, “Sign these so I can still help you,” start with whom they trust. And consider going first by sharing the decisions you’ve made in your own healthcare documents.  What to consider when your child goes to college out of state. State laws vary, so consider whether completing forms for the state where your child attends school could make things easier for healthcare providers in an emergency.  What happens if there’s no healthcare power of attorney. Some states have backup rules. In Tennessee, for example, a healthcare provider may have to identify a surrogate—and potentially sort through competing family relationships and opinions in the process.  Why this is really about autonomy, not parental control. Turning 18 gives your child an opportunity to decide who receives their healthcare information, who speaks for them, and what that person should know about their wishes.  Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YEW3jlgLoW0 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 Tennessee advance directive: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/hfc/documents/Advance_Directive_for_Health_Care.pdf State-specific healthcare forms: https://www.caringinfo.org/planning/advance-directives/by-state/ 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.

  2. Aug 11

    Why Reading the Will Looks Nothing Like in the Movies

    You’ve seen the scene in movies: the family gathers in a lawyer’s office, the Will is dramatically read aloud, and everyone discovers who inherited what. Real life looks very different. In this episode, Jill Mastroianni explains what actually happens to a Will after someone dies, who receives a copy, why being an heir-at-law isn’t the same as being a beneficiary, and what it really means when a Will becomes “public record.” She also explains why reading someone’s Will may give you only part of the story of what happens to their assets after death. What You’ll Learn in this Episode Why there isn’t a formal “reading of the Will.” In real life, the Will is typically filed with the probate court and copies are mailed to beneficiaries and heirs-at-law. Why your Will doesn’t control everything you own. A Will controls probate assets, but assets with beneficiary designations or certain forms of ownership pass outside of the Will entirely. Why inheriting “everything” under a Will might not mean much. If most of someone’s assets pass through beneficiary, payable-on-death or transfer-on-death designations, very little may actually pass under the Will. What a probate asset is. Generally, a probate asset is an asset that does not automatically pass to someone else at death because of the way it is titled or because of a beneficiary designation. Why the original Will matters. In Tennessee, a missing original Will can create significant problems, including a presumption that the person destroyed the Will intending to revoke it. The difference between a beneficiary and an heir-at-law. A beneficiary inherits because the Will says they inherit. An heir-at-law is someone who would inherit under state law if there were no valid Will. What happens when probate begins. The attorney gathers information, prepares a petition, submits the Will to the probate court and asks the court to officially appoint the Executor. What Letters Testamentary actually do. Being named Executor in a Will does not automatically give someone authority to administer an estate. The court must appoint the Executor, who then receives documentation establishing that authority. How you might actually find out what a Will says. Instead of gathering in a lawyer’s conference room, you may simply receive an envelope containing a probate petition and a copy of the Will. What it means when a Will becomes public record. “Public” doesn’t mean the Will is broadcast to the world. It means someone may be able to obtain a copy from the probate court. Why Wills can be difficult to understand. Wills often contain precise legal language and standardized “boilerplate” provisions designed to address circumstances that may arise after death. Whether the estate’s assets become part of the public record. An inventory of probate assets may become part of the public court record if one is required and filed, but the requirement to file an inventory can sometimes be waived. Why communication matters while you’re alive. A Will is a legal document designed to accomplish legal objectives. It may not be the best place to explain your decisions, communicate your reasoning or leave one final message for the people you love. Resources and Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OM5nvNSixqQ How Assets Pass at Death Infographic Download the infographic referenced in this episode for a visual explanation of which assets are controlled by your Will and which pass outside of probate. https://www.deathreadiness.com/probate-infographic Episode 89: Why Your Original Will Matters More Than You Think Learn what can happen when your family can find a copy of your Will after your death but no one can locate the original. https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/89 Tennessee Estate Planning with Jill Mastroianni A Will is only one part of an estate plan. Jill works with Tennessee clients to consider how their Wills, beneficiary designations, asset ownership and other estate planning documents work together. https://www.deathreadiness.com/solutions 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.

  3. Aug 4

    Why You Shouldn't Add Your Child to Your Deed or Bank Account

    Should you add your child to your deed or bank account? It sounds like a simple way to avoid probate or make things easier if you need help later in life. But that estate planning shortcut can create risks you never intended, from exposing your home to your child's creditors to accidentally changing how your estate is distributed. In this episode, estate planning attorney Jill Mastroianni explains why the first question should never be, "What's the solution?" Instead, it should be, "What problem are you actually trying to solve?" Once you know the problem, you can choose the right estate planning tool. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why adding your child to your deed or bank account can create unintended legal and financial risks  The one question you should ask before making any estate planning decision  When avoiding probate actually makes sense, and when it doesn't  How revocable trusts help avoid probate while also planning for incapacity  The advantages and limitations of ladybird or transfer-on-death (TOD) deeds in estate planning  Why naming multiple TOD beneficiaries can produce surprising results  How payable-on-death (POD) and transfer-on-death (TOD) bank account designations work  Why your estate may still need liquid assets even if you've mostly avoided probate  How financial powers of attorney differ from joint ownership in estate planning Why healthcare powers of attorney and advance directives are essential parts of a complete estate plan Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3tlGkQk1Sac 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 36: When Transfer-on-Death Deeds Promise to Avoid Probate but Create Chaos: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/when-transferondeath-deeds-promise-to-avoid-probate-but-create-chaos Episode 68: Why Good Powers of Attorney Still Fail: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/68 State-specific healthcare powers of attorney: https://www.caringinfo.org/planning/advance-directives/by-state/ Tennessee estate planning: 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.

  4. Jul 28

    Why Your Original Will Matters More Than You Think

    Have you ever wondered whether a photocopy of your Will is enough? In this episode of The Death Readiness Podcast, estate planning attorney Jill Mastroianni explains why the answer is often no. You'll learn what happens when an original Will can't be found, why courts may presume it was intentionally destroyed, and how that one missing document can completely change who inherits an estate. Along the way, Jill shares two real court cases, including a Tennessee probate dispute that became a true crime story, and explains the practical steps you can take to protect your own estate plan. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why an original signed Will matters more than a photocopy or PDF. The legal presumption that can arise when an original Will is missing. What it means to die intestate and how state law determines who inherits. The difference between probate and non-probate assets. Why simply signing your Will isn't enough—you also need to make sure someone knows where the original is. A Tennessee probate case involving a missing Will, murder allegations, and the state's slayer statute. Why probate litigation often begins with one powerful emotion: the belief that something wasn't fair. A real client story demonstrating how honoring a loved one's wishes sometimes means receiving less, not more. Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RIdWNpQemLQ Free Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets Infographic Download the infographic referenced in this episode to understand which assets pass under your Will and which transfer automatically outside of probate. https://www.deathreadiness.com/probate-infographic Need help with your Tennessee probate or estate plan? Visit https://www.deathreadiness.com/solutions 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.

  5. Jul 21

    How to Overcome Estate Planning Jargon and Overwhelm

    The biggest obstacle to estate planning isn't procrastination. It's confusion and overwhelm. In this episode, Jill shares why she changed the way she practices law, the surprising lesson a surgeon taught her about communication, and why helping clients understand their estate plan is just as important as drafting excellent legal documents. Through stories about a graphic designer, AI, a 90-year-old client, and even her own financial planner, Jill explores how great professionals not only know their subject, they know how to explain it.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why confusion and overwhelm, not procrastination, keep many people from completing their estate plan.  How Jill's approach to estate planning has evolved over the past 12 years.  The importance of translating estate planning legal jargon into everyday language.  Why AI is a valuable tool, but a poor substitute for professional judgment.  How Jill uses AI in her own estate planning practice and podcast without letting it replace experience or critical thinking.  The unexpected communication lesson Jill learned after thyroid cancer surgery.  Why excellent estate planning documents aren't enough if clients don't understand what they're signing.  Why Jill charges flat fees for estate planning and encourages clients to ask questions without watching the clock.  The reminder that we're all experts at something and beginners at something else. Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1Ivqf4_izD4 Jill’s Estate Plan Audit: https://www.deathreadiness.com/audit Jill’s 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.

  6. Jul 14

    How to Avoid Costly Mistakes After a Death

    Losing someone you love is hard enough. Figuring out what to do next can feel overwhelming. In this episode, estate planning attorney Jill Mastroianni sits down with estate administration expert Mollie Lacher to discuss the practical realities of settling someone's affairs after death. From securing a vacant home and locating hidden assets to navigating customer service, digital accounts, and the responsibilities of serving as executor during probate, this conversation offers practical guidance for anyone facing the loss of a loved one or preparing to ease the administrative burden for their own family. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why the first things you should do after a death probably aren't what you expect  How to secure a vacant home and avoid costly insurance mistakes  Why paying bills immediately isn't always the best first step  How to gather financial information before making important decisions  The “breadcrumb” clues that can help uncover forgotten assets  Why estate planning documents alone don't tell the whole story  How organized records can save your family countless hours of stress  Strategies for talking with banks, utilities, and customer service representatives  Why transferring utilities can become surprisingly complicated  How to protect a loved one's digital accounts and avoid accidentally locking yourself out  Steps to reduce the risk of identity theft after someone dies  What it really means to serve as an executor  Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AvkGEQNcMNY Learn more about Mollie Lacher and Sunny Care Services: https://sunnycareservices.com/ Mollie's course, What to Do After Losing a Loved One: https://sunnycareservices.thinkific.com/order?ct=e2fc8f07-c0fe-46b6-a9ee-5ad3b4302916 Set up your Google Inactive Account Manager: https://myaccount.google.com/inactive Add a Legacy Contact to your Apple Account: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102631 Add, change or remove your Legacy Contact on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help/1070665206293088?helpref=faq_content Listen to Jill's previous interview with Mollie Lacher, Episode 6: What to Know Before Choosing an Executor or Agreeing to Serve as One: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/what-to-know-before-choosing-an-executor-or-agreeing-to-serve-as-one 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.

    How to Avoid Costly Mistakes After a Death

  7. Jul 7

    Why I Won't Leave My Kids Cash

    If your children inherited a million dollars tomorrow, would you want them to receive a check—or a trusted guide? In this episode, Jill pulls back the curtain on her own family's estate plan and walks you through exactly what would happen if she and Jeremy died while their children were still young. Using their own Wills, life insurance beneficiary designations, and testamentary trusts as real-life examples, she translates complicated legal language into plain English so you can understand how trusts actually work—and why they aren't just for wealthy families. Along the way, Jill explains why she intentionally chose to leave her children's inheritance in trust, how trustees make financial decisions, and why thoughtful estate planning is really about giving your family guidance when you can no longer be there yourself. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why trusts aren't just for wealthy families. What your Will actually does if you have minor children. Why the person raising your children isn't always the best person to manage their inheritance. How life insurance beneficiary designations work alongside your estate plan. Why naming your estate as a contingent beneficiary can be intentional. What probate looks like when a life insurance policy is payable to your estate. The difference between specific gifts and your residuary estate. How testamentary trusts are created through a Will. What a trustee actually does. What “HEMS” (Health, Education, Maintenance and Support) means in a trust. Why “sole and absolute discretion” gives trustees flexibility rather than confusion. What a “disinterested trustee” is and why one may be the best person to make major financial decisions. How trusts can help pay for extraordinary opportunities like: buying a first home, starting a business, professional education, and wedding expenses Why trusts are designed to help beneficiaries enjoy their inheritance, not simply preserve it. Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AVXdVUB6_eg 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: https://www.deathreadiness.com/estate-planning-solution Tennessee Probate: https://www.deathreadiness.com/probate-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.

  8. Jun 30

    What You Need to Know Before Editing Your Will

    What happens if you simply cross out part of your Will, write “VOID” above it, and initial the change? The answer is more complicated, and riskier, than most people realize. In this episode, estate planning attorney Jill Mastroianni explains why making handwritten changes to your estate planning documents can create confusion, trigger litigation, and ultimately change how your assets are distributed. Through two real Tennessee court cases, you'll learn why “just one little edit” can have consequences that last for years and why creating a fresh document is always the better solution. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why handwritten edits to estate planning documents can create expensive legal disputes. The difference between modifying a healthcare advance directive and creating a new one. Why clean, updated estate planning documents are easier for your loved ones, and medical providers, to rely on. What happened in two Tennessee Court of Appeals cases involving handwritten changes to Wills. How revoking one provision of a Will can unintentionally change who inherits your property. What a residuary clause is and why it’s one of the most important provisions in a Will. Why assets may pass through intestate succession even if you have a Will. The risks of relying on DIY estate planning or making changes with a pen instead of updating your documents properly. Resources & Links Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DIie_NLlXto Free Healthcare Advance Directives: https://www.caringinfo.org/planning/advance-directives/by-state/ Related Podcast Episodes How to Write Your Own Will (and Why You Shouldn't): https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/50 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 Tennessee Cases Discussed In re Estate of Dye, 565 S.W.2d 219 In re Estate of Warren, 3 S.W.3d 493  Need to Update Your Tennessee Estate Plan? Learn more about Jill's flat-fee 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.

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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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