Hi Jan,
For many, Thanksgiving week is a time to gather with family, share traditions, and reflect on what matters most. It is also a natural moment to think about how we care for each other, both now and in the future. This week’s featured article looks closely at what actually happens after someone passes and how thoughtful estate planning can ease the burden on those left behind.
Whether you are the one doing the planning or the person who may one day step in to help settle someone else’s affairs, this article offers a practical look at the hidden work of estate administration and how preparation can protect the people you love.
We are also including a supporting piece on cognitive decline that explores how to protect your plan and decision-making power as you age. Together, these resources offer a reminder that estate planning is not just about finances. It is about relationships, family, and care.
| | | | The Hidden Work of Settling an Estate and How Preparation Helps When someone dies, families expect to feel grief. What they rarely expect is the number of decisions, forms, accounts, and urgent conversations with banks and institutions that suddenly land in their laps. Even in the most organized families, the period after a death can feel like a maze. When the person who has passed left little or no guidance, that maze becomes even harder to navigate.
By Retirement Researcher | | | | What If I Start to Forget? Future-Proofing Your Retirement Plan It’s not exactly cocktail party conversation, but somewhere between talking about travel plans and the grandkids, most retirees eventually start to wonder: What happens if my memory starts to slip?
It’s a tough thought, and for many, it’s easier to ignore. But planning for cognitive decline isn’t about being pessimistic. It’s about protecting your future, your family, and the life you’ve worked so hard to build. And it’s something you can prepare for long before you ever need to lean on those plans.
By McLean Asset Management
| | | | Wills, Trusts and The Caregiving Journey
In the second part of their conversation with Beth Pinsker, author of My Mother’s Money, Wade and Alex explore what happens when someone becomes an executor or administrator of an estate. They talk about the confusion and emotional weight of managing accounts, assets, and probate courts—especially when families are left with little guidance. From the legal differences between wills and trusts to the family dynamics that often complicate inheritances, this episode offers practical insights and clear takeaways for anyone planning ahead or stepping into this role themselves.
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