Getting Your Affairs in Order

Hosts Pam Dunwald and Linda Kritikos launch into the main themes of Season 2 with this episode, exploring getting your affairs in order by diving into estate planning, powers of attorney, wills, trusts, probate, and protecting family assets. Joined by attorneys Stephen Howitz and Pedro Hernandez of Zimmer and Rens LLC, the discussion focuses on why planning ahead matters for aging adults, caregivers, and adult children. Trying to navigate difficult healthcare and financial decisions is a complex process. Together, they explain how legal planning can reduce stress and protect loved ones, avoiding unnecessary court involvement and helping families feel more prepared during health crises or end-of-life transitions.Pam, Linda, Stephen, and Pedro break down complicated legal topics into practical, easy-to-understand guidance for families caring for aging parents. They explain the differences between wills and trusts, why powers of attorney are critical, how probate works, and what can happen when no legal planning is in place. They explore blended family concerns, protecting a parent’s home, Medicaid considerations, guardianship, and the emotional realities caregivers face when trying to help loved ones stay independent while preparing for the future. This episode offers compassionate, practical advice to help families start important conversations before a crisis happens.Key Moments:00:00 — Why Estate Planning Matters for Aging Adults Pam and Linda introduce the importance of legal planning, estate organization, and protecting aging adults and caregivers from unnecessary stress.02:02 — Meet Attorneys Stephen Howitz and Pedro Hernandez Stephen and Pedro share their backgrounds in estate planning, probate, real estate law, and helping families prepare for aging and end-of-life transitions.04:12 — Why Estate Planning Should Start Before a Crisis The guests explain why powers of attorney and advance planning are essential before medical emergencies happen.07:35 — What Happens During Guardianship A clear explanation of guardianship, court involvement, medical incapacity, and how families can lose decision-making control without proper documents.11:36 — What Estate Planning Actually Includes The discussion covers wills, trusts, healthcare directives, financial planning, property, retirement accounts, and protecting assets.14:26 — Understanding Wills, Trusts, and DNRs Stephen explains the differences between wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, and do-not-resuscitate orders.19:05 — What Happens to Powers of Attorney After Death The guests explain executors, probate, successor trustees, and how legal authority changes after someone passes away.23:29 — When Families Should Start Estate Planning Conversations Why waiting too long creates more legal and emotional challenges for caregivers and adult children.27:52 — What Happens Without Estate Planning Documents The attorneys explain probate delays, frozen bank accounts, funeral costs, and family complications when no planning exists.32:34 — Protecting Assets in Blended Families Important estate planning considerations for blended families, inheritance concerns, and reducing family conflict.39:48 — What to Bring to an Estate Planning Appointment Helpful guidance on gathering financial information, identifying goals, and organizing important documents.44:12 — Common Problems With a Parent’s Home After Death Mortgage issues, vacant homes, insurance concerns, and why real estate titles matter in probate and estate planning.52:10 — Medicaid, Long-Term Care, and Keeping the Family Home The conversation explores Medicaid implications, care planning, and decisions around selling or keeping a parent’s home.58:05 — How Adult Children Can Start Difficult Conversations Practical advice for caregivers trying to encourage aging parents to prepare legal and financial documents.01:04:25 — Final Advice for Families Preparing for the Future Stephen and Pedro share their biggest estate planning lessons and encourage families to start planning sooner rather than later.About Stephen Howitz: Stephen graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, before studying law, with an emphasis on probate and family law at Marquette University in Wisconsin. After graduating from law school, Stephen dove into the world of law, working both in law firms and as a solo practitioner, where he gained experience in a wide range of legal areas. Over time, he developed a special passion and expertise in probate, trusts, estate planning and family law, helping clients navigate these deeply personal matters with care and clarity.When not practicing law, Stephen enjoys spending time with his two daughters, watching football and baseball, collecting records, and listening to music.About Pedro Hernandez:Pedro is a mindful real estate and litigation attorney who specializes in complex civil litigation and appellate cases, producing successful outcomes for clients by using his experience and legal knowledge to achieve those results. Pedro uses a balanced approach of legal knowledge and practical wisdom to ensure that his clients get the results needed to achieve success.He has years of experience in a wide range of legal matters and specializes in real estate and property disputes. From working as a law clerk under two different Milwaukee County judges to winning an appellate court decision in a landlord/tenant dispute, Pedro has honed his skills to meet any situation a client faces throughout the litigation process.Moreover, Pedro’s ability to connect and provide personalized support is an asset for clients who feel stressed by the litigation process.He understands that litigation is not the first resort for many people in trying to resolve disagreements, but is not afraid to fight for his client’s success. This ability was honed after working many years with Milwaukee County’s indigent community on complex cases.His desire to help clients has also prompted him to develop a practice in estate planning, including wills and powers of attorney, for both English and Spanish-speaking clients that can help preserve intergenerational wealth here in the United States and abroad.__Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Zimmer and Rens LLCEstate Planning InformationFor this episode of Healthcare Redefined, as we kick off Getting Your Affairs in Order, we have a free guide ( more like a workbook) to assist you in taking action on many of the topics you will hear about this season. It’s called "Getting Your Affairs in Order: A Peace of Mind Planner".  As always, for more support, join us for our weekly free newsletter "Senior Saturday."  Your weekly dose of tips, strategies, support, and ed...