Losing a loved one is heartbreaking. But how can you cope when you’re also the one left to handle everything they left behind?

At 21, Justin Weidenfeld’s world turned upside down when his father died suddenly from a heart attack. Overnight, he went from college student to personal representative of his father’s estate without a roadmap, without a will, and without time to grieve before stepping into the chaos of legal and financial logistics. In this episode, Justin sits down with his close friend Jeff Romer to unpack what that experience taught him about loss, responsibility, and the unexpected burden of navigating money and legacy in the wake of grief.

What do you do when accounts are frozen, medical insurance vanishes, and no one has the answers? How do you balance overwhelming emotions with the urgent need to take action? Justin shares the painful realities he faced, the support that got him through, and the lessons he wishes every family would talk about before it’s too late.

This conversation is raw, real, and deeply important. Whether you’ve experienced loss or want to prepare for the inevitable, Justin’s story will leave you thinking differently about what it means to plan for the future, and why those tough conversations matter more than we realize.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

08:10 Justin’s Childhood and Family Background

10:01 Support System in Sports

13:21 Relationship with Parents

15:06 Generosity and Community

17:31 High School and Parental Divorce

22:22 College Life and Achievements

26:09 Receiving the News of Dad’s Passing

29:26 Immediate Aftermath and Emotions

32:56 Support and Advice from Others

34:57 Funeral and Eulogy

39:13 Realization of New Normal

43:11 Role of Personal Representative

48:23 Financial and Legal Challenges

51:05 Navigating Health Insurance

53:41 Mindset Shift: Why is This Happening for Me?

Links

https://e.givesmart.com/s/:sNmMHNeJJS4/e/DxD/

https://experiencecamps.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAiaC-BhBEEiwAjY99qA91moAqmiDxo9-i-ZYWqpy_QIKUwnS19GhhglDRdnlc8LBb3V8TnxoCHScQAvD_BwE

Connect with Justin Weidenfeld:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-weidenfeld/

Website: https://www.ironbridgewc.com/team/justin-weidenfeld

Instagram: @thecurrencyofgrief_podcast

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm