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The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate planning podcast

The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate planning podcast

Auteur(s): Jill Mastroianni - Estate Planning & Probate Consultant 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, a former estate planning attorney turned 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.2025 The Death Readiness Podcast Gestion et leadership Économie
Épisodes
  • Why Your Aging Parents Aren’t Planning and How to Change It

    Why Your Aging Parents Aren’t Planning and How to Change It
    Sep 19 2025
    So many of us in the sandwich generation can see our parents’ challenges—mobility issues, memory lapses, financial disorganization—yet struggle to help our parents move beyond the problem to actually finding a solution. In this episode, I share my guest appearance on The Legacy of Love Podcast with Sara Ecklein, where we explore how to guide aging parents through estate and life planning in ways that are compassionate, collaborative, and empowering.Key Insights You’ll LearnProblem-aware vs. solution-aware: Parents may know they’re struggling (with mobility, memory, or paperwork), but that doesn’t mean they know what to do next. The key is moving the conversation toward solutions without judgment.Collaboration works better than control: Instead of showing up like a project manager with a to-do list, try approaching parents with shared planning tools, like filling out medical information sheets together, to model what good planning looks like.Professionals can help: Sometimes parents resist advice from their children but accept it from a professional. An outsider can validate concerns, ask new questions, and take pressure off the family dynamic.Capacity is a spectrum: Even with diminished capacity, parents may still be able to do an estate plan if they understand what they own and who they want to leave it to. If capacity is gone, assets pass by intestate succession (state law), and guardianship may be required.The parent is the client, not the adult child: Even when kids initiate the process, confidentiality belongs to the parent as the client. Professionals must set and keep these boundaries.Self-compassion matters: Being “problem aware” without solutions isn’t necessarily denial; it’s part of being scared and overwhelmed. Just as parents need help moving toward solutions, so do their adult children.Resources and LinksParent Prep Plan: Learn how Jill guides parents step-by-step through the planning process so you don’t have to carry the burden alone: Parent Prep Plan — Death ReadinessRelated podcast episodes:Episode 17: How Powers of Attorney Work, When to Use Them, and When It’s Too Late to Get OneEpisode 28: How to Protect Your Aging Parents and Avoid Probate CourtLearn more about Sara Ecklein:Sara’s podcast: The Legacy of LoveCompany:Trust and HonorEmail: info@trustandhonor.coAddress: 1484 Pollard Road / Suite 124 Los Gatos, CA 95032Phone: 669-280-0110Connect with Jill:Website: DeathReadiness.comEmail: jill@deathreadiness.comLearn more about Jill’s servicesSubscribe to the Death Readiness Dispatch!Submit a question for Tuesday Triage 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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    35 min
  • 6 Steps to Finding the Right Estate Planning Attorney for Your Situation

    6 Steps to Finding the Right Estate Planning Attorney for Your Situation
    Sep 16 2025

    Finding the right estate planning attorney can feel overwhelming and choosing the wrong one can cost you time, money, and peace of mind. In this Tuesday Triage episode, I walk 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.

    What Jill discussed

    ·Why referrals are a great starting point but not the finish line. Referrals from trusted friends, advisors, or professionals can point you in the right direction, but they shouldn’t be the only factor in your decision. You still need to do your own due diligence and trust your gut.

    ·How to match the attorney’s experience to your unique needs. Many people think their estate is “simple,” but often it’s more complex than it appears. Jill breaks down what circumstances generally qualify as a “simple estate,” what makes an estate more complicated (tax planning, business ownership, beneficiaries with special needs, blended families, family vacation properties), and why the distinction matters when choosing an attorney.

    ·The role of clear communication. Estate planning comes with lots of legal jargon. A good attorney explains things in plain language, helps you understand how legal changes impact your plan, and leaves you feeling more confident, not more confused. Jill share tips on how to test this before you hire someone.

    ·Why experience makes a difference. Beyond knowing the law, seasoned attorneys have seen how family dynamics and real-life complications play out. That experience allows them to anticipate problems, avoid mistakes, and guide you through both the expected and the unexpected.

    ·Looking for a clear process and transparent pricing. A solid estate planning attorney doesn’t just draft documents — they help make sure your plan actually works by funding trusts and aligning beneficiary designations. Jill talks about flat fees vs. hourly billing, what you should expect in a quote, and how to make sure there are no surprises.

    ·Why comfort and trust are non-negotiable. You’ll be sharing some of your most personal details with your attorney. You need someone you feel heard and respected by, and someone who moves at a pace that feels right for you. Credentials matter, but so do instincts, and ignoring them can be costly.

    Resources and Links

    • Estate Planning Support Services – Learn how I can help you get organized, vet attorneys, prepare for meetings, and make sure your plan is clear and ready to implement.
    • Podcast episode referenced: Why You Shouldn’t Worry About the Estate Tax
    • Podcast episode referenced: Why You Need (or Don’t Need) a Trust
    • Video referenced: Do You Need a Will?

    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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    14 min
  • Why Medical Aid in Dying and Assisted Suicide are not the same thing

    Why Medical Aid in Dying and Assisted Suicide are not the same thing
    Sep 9 2025
    Charles just turned 90, and he’s asking a question many of us wonder about but rarely say out loud: “What are my options if I want to die with dignity?”In this Tuesday Triage, 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 episode shines a light on a topic often tucked away in silence.What We DiscussedA personal connection: Jill shares her mom’s story of living with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare degenerative brain disorder. She recalls the moments of fear and uncertainty, the independence her mom held onto, and why conversations about dying with dignity are deeply personal for her.Charles’ question: At 90 years old, Charles asked his daughter, and through her, Jill, what options exist for someone who wants to die with dignity. His willingness to ask reflects the questions many people carry silently, often Googling late at night but rarely discussing openly.Defining medical aid in dying: Jill explains that medical aid in dying is a regulated medical practice that allows a mentally competent adult with a terminal diagnosis of six months or less to request a prescription to peacefully end their life. She emphasizes that it is not the same as assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing.Where it’s legal and what’s pending: Eleven states and Washington, D.C. currently permit medical aid in dying, while 18 others have pending or recently introduced legislation. Jill highlights the significance of these legal shifts for families who may face these decisions in the future.California’s End of Life Option Act: Jill uses California as a case study to explain how the process works in practice. Key points include:Eligibility: Adults 18+, California residents, with terminal illnesses expected to result in death within six months.Requests: Two oral requests at least 48 hours apart, plus a written request signed in the presence of two witnesses.Safeguards: Physicians must confirm the patient’s capacity and voluntariness, and participation by doctors is voluntary.Self-administration: Only the patient can administer the medication; family or physicians may help prepare it but cannot administer it.Residency proof: California requirements include a state ID, voter registration, property ownership, or tax returns.Protections for families and insurance: The law makes clear that using medical aid in dying does not affect life insurance, health insurance, or annuities. Death through medical aid in dying is legally recognized as a natural result of the underlying disease, not suicide. Family and friends cannot be held civilly or criminally liable for being present, as long as the patient self-administers the medication.The importance of terminology: Jill explains why she avoids terms like “assisted suicide” or “euthanasia” and highlights Section 443.18 of the California law, which explicitly rejects those labels. This distinction matters, because medical aid in dying is not about choosing whether to die, but about how to face a death that is already imminent.The bigger picture: Beyond the legal details, Jill explores what these laws mean for agency, dignity, and conversations about the end of life.Resources and LinksDeath Readiness Services – Learn how Jill helps families prepare and stay organizedText of California’s End of Life Option ActConnect with Jill:Website: DeathReadiness.comEmail: jill@deathreadiness.comLearn more about Jill’s servicesSubscribe to the Death Readiness Dispatch!Submit a question for Tuesday TriageDid 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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    14 min
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