Not Your Average Death Blog
How to Talk to Your Parents About Getting Help at Home
If you’ve ever tried to talk to your parents about getting help at home, or moving out of their home, you already know that it’s not an easy conversation. They might tell you they’re “fine.” They might insist they don’t need help. They might even accuse you of trying to take away their independence. Meanwhile, you’re lying awake at night, wondering if they’re safe, if the stove is still on, or if that “little fall” was actually a big warning sign.
These challenges and anxieties are exactly why I wanted to bring Laura Lynn Morrissey, founder of Silver Savvy, onto The Death Readiness Podcast today. She helps families navigate aging and care decisions with less conflict and more problem-solving. We talked about how to start these conversations with your parents early, how to identify the “influencer” in your family, and how to make decisions that protect your parents’ dignity and your peace of mind.
Here are the biggest takeaways.
Why Losing Your Original Will Could Cost Your Family Everything
You’d think “filing” your Will would be simple. But as one listener, Jazmine from New Jersey, found out the hard way, it’s not that simple. She thought she had “filed” her Will with her attorney. When her house was burglarized and her important papers were stolen, she wasn’t worried about her Will. She assumed her attorney still had the original. Except, he didn’t. He’d been disbarred and his law firm no longer existed. And her original Will was gone. So, what does it even mean to “file” a Will? And what happens if yours goes missing?
It Takes a Village
Everyone’s heard the saying, “It takes a village.” And that’s true when it comes to preparing for the practical, emotional, and legal realities of life and loss.
At Death Readiness, we talk a lot about legacy, agency, and love, values and ideals built in community, in the small moments of care and connection that sustain us every day.
Lately, this community has taken on a visible form: fabulous women out in the world rocking their Death Readiness tote bags. You’ll spot them at grocery stores, networking events, school pick-up lines, and courtrooms.
Can You Leave Money to Your Dog?
Your dog might run your home, your heart, and your schedule, but legally, he’s still property.
You can’t leave money to your dog, because under the law, your dog is considered property. And property can’t inherit property.
But you can make sure your pet is cared for if you’re not around to do it. That’s where pet trusts come in.
Why Jane Goodall’s Lessons Matter More Than Ever
A few weeks ago, my husband asked if I wanted to go on a date night to see Jane Goodall speak at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit. I told him I wanted to go, but not as a date night. I wanted it to be a family night.
My daughter, April, is 14. Jane Goodall was 91. I wanted April to experience Jane’s magic.
Jane was humble and fierce all at once. That night, I walked out of the theater reminded that action, no matter how small, changes the world in ripples.
We Don’t Plan Because We’re Old. We Plan Because We Care.
Every week on The Death Readiness Podcast, I hear from listeners who are deep in the trenches, raising kids, helping parents, juggling jobs, and trying to hold all the loose threads of family life together.
Sometimes, they write in with questions for #TuesdayTriage episodes, such as:
“How do I start talking to my parents about their Will?”
“What happens if I’m named as executor and don’t want the job?”
“How can I protect my kids if something happens to me?”
And sometimes, their messages are more personal.
Do You Really Need a Will? Here’s How to Tell.
Most people assume a Will is the first step in estate planning.
But a Will doesn’t control everything you own; and in some cases, you might decide you don’t even need one.
When I practiced as an estate attorney, one of the questions I got more than any other was,
“Do I need a Will?”
And my answer was always the same:
“I don’t know — not yet.”
Because before you can decide whether you need a Will, you have to understand what a Will actually does.
Why You Don’t Have to Take the Executor Job
When people find out they’ve been named Executor in a family member’s Will, the reaction is almost always the same: panic.
Not because they don’t care, but because they know the person who chose them never really got their affairs in order. The paperwork’s scattered, the passwords are missing, the beneficiary designations are outdated, and there’s no clear roadmap for what comes next.
But here’s the truth: you don’t have to take the job.
Death Readiness Is a Family Affair
I talk about death and estate planning a lot. It’s part of my work, my mission, and my daily conversations.
But nothing brings it home quite like seeing my daughter, April, wearing our latest Death Readiness merch. This is why I do what I do.
When Transfer-on-Death Deeds Promise to Avoid Probate but Create Chaos
We love shortcuts. Grocery store self-checkout. The “express” car wash. Even skipping steps in estate planning, like using a Ladybird deed (also called a transfer-on-death deed) to keep your house out of probate.
On the surface, a Ladybird deed looks amazing. Sign a deed, name who gets the house, and no court gets involved. Cheap, simple, done. Except, like most things in estate planning, what sounds easy can turn into a mess for the people you leave behind.
Today, I sit down with Minnesota probate attorney Jen Gumbel to dig into the good, the bad, and the ugly of transfer-on-death deeds. She’s seen firsthand how they play out in real life, and the results aren’t always pretty.
What Seventh-Grade Frogs Taught Me About Entrepreneurship
Turns out, entrepreneurship isn’t always about a big, flashy idea. Sometimes it starts with a pile of fabric scraps and a hunch that you can make something useful (and maybe even lovable). Sometimes it grows into a podcast, a community, and a mission that feels like the work you were always meant to do.
Do You Need to Update Your Will When You Have More Kids?
Leslie signed her Will five years ago when she had one child. Then she had twins. Now she’s got three kids, and she’s wondering: does her Will still work, or does she need to change it?
It’s a question I get all the time. And the answer is… it depends.
Good estate planning attorneys use solid forms that account for future kids. For example, my own Will doesn’t just name my children; it includes any child “born or adopted after the date of this Will.” That way, if my family grows, the Will automatically grows with it.
Everyone Belongs
There’s no shortage of confusing and harmful narratives about disability in the world. Too often, families are left to sort through myths and misinformation on their own. That’s why it matters so much to keep centering truth, dignity, and respect.
Last week, I had the joy of babysitting my sweet niece while her mom (my sister-in-law) visited her son’s kindergarten class to read a story and lead an art activity about inclusion. Watching her show up for those kids reminded me that legacy takes many forms. Sometimes it looks like policy change, sometimes like advocacy, and sometimes like reading aloud in a circle of five-year-olds.
The Death Readiness Podcast Hits the Charts!
The Death Readiness Podcast is now the top recommended podcast for “estate planning for women” on Apple Podcasts!
This milestone isn’t just a win for me. It’s a signal that more women are seeking clarity, confidence, and conversations around legacy, caregiving, and financial empowerment. The fact that these topics are rising to the top means the taboo is starting to break.
Ceremony Matters: A Listener’s Story of Saying Goodbye
Every so often, I hear from listeners who remind me exactly why I do this work. Last month, one person reached out with a story that is both heartbreaking and beautiful, an example of how knowledge, community, and conversation can transform the way we navigate loss.
At its core, this story isn’t just about a beloved pet. It’s about the power of ritual. When we create ceremony, whether formal or improvised, we give ourselves and those around us space to grieve, to remember, and to celebrate meaningfully.
Without ceremony, loss can feel flat, unfinished, or even silenced. But with it, grief is allowed to breathe. Even something as simple as painting rocks, tossing flowers, or telling stories becomes a way of saying: this life mattered, this love mattered.
How Small Gaps in Your Will Become Big Problems
Twelve years after my mom died, her jewelry still lives in my dad’s house. My sister and I each picked out the pieces we wanted, and I even used one of her rings as my engagement ring.
The rest was tucked away in her dresser drawer until my daughter, April, started exploring them this summer. April never met my mom, but when she wore her grandmother’s earrings to homecoming last weekend, it was like she’d found a way to connect with her.
Jewelry can be a bridge between generations. But in estate planning, it can also be the opposite: the spark that lights a family feud.
6 Steps to Finding the Right Estate Planning Attorney for Your Situation
Finding the right estate planning attorney can feel overwhelming and choosing the wrong one can cost you time, money, and peace of mind. In today’s Tuesday Triage, Jill walks you through six practical steps to help you identify the right fit for your needs, avoid common pitfalls, and trust your instincts throughout the process. Whether your estate is simple or more complex, these tips will give you clarity and confidence in choosing the attorney who can best serve you and your family. Here’s a summary of the tips Jill offered on today’s podcast.
From Problem-Aware to Solution-Aware: Why Families Get Stuck in Estate Planning
Most of us know we should have an estate plan.
But knowing there’s a problem doesn’t always mean knowing how to solve it.
That difference is the gap between being problem-aware and solution-aware, and it explains so much about why families put off planning, even when the need is obvious.
When Grief Meets Bureaucracy: Why Families Need Advocates During Estate Administration
Losing a loved one is difficult enough, but trying to navigate the complex maze of bureaucracy involved in managing and administering an estate, while deep in grief, can make things so much harder.
Why Medical Aid in Dying and Assisted Suicide Are Not the Same Thing
Today, Jill unpacks what medical aid in dying really means, how it differs from assisted suicide, and what the law says for families navigating these difficult conversations. With legal insights and examples from California’s End of Life Option Act, this Tuesday Triage episode shines a light on a topic often tucked away in silence.