Margaret Gewirtzman opens up about what it was like to carry the weight of her father’s estate after his death, stepping into the role of executor with little preparation and even less support.

Joining Justin Weidenfeld in this episode, she describes how legal battles, family conflict, and unanswered questions turned what should have been a legacy into a burden that stretched across a decade of her life. At the same time, she was raising her own children and navigating her grief, which pushed her to find resilience she didn’t know she had. Her story raises questions that many of us avoid: How do we prepare our families for the realities of death and money? What happens when silence and denial leave the next generation to untangle the mess? And how can we shift the idea of legacy from simply passing down assets to creating real clarity and care for those left behind? Justin and Margaret’s conversation offers an invitation to think differently about planning, grief, and the impact we leave on those we love.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Confronting Death and Money

02:44 Probate Reality Check: A Cautionary Tale

06:49 Named Executor Without a Playbook

20:44 Isolation in Grief: Holding Space vs Orders

31:57 First 72 Hours After a Parent’s Death: What To Do

52:34 The Hidden Costs of Death and Why You Need a Lawyer

01:00:10 Planning for Legacy: Trusts, Life Insurance, and Protecting Your Kids

Connect with Justin Weidenfeld:

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn

Follow The Currency of Grief on LinkedIn

Follow The Currency of Grief on Instagram

Follow The Currency of Grief on TikTok

Subscribe to The Currency of Grief on YouTube

Website

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm