Planning for Single Retirees — Part 4: Long-Term Care, Incapacity, and Estate Planning

In this last episode of our Planning for Single Retirees series, we tackle the part of retirement planning that matters most when you don't have a built-in safety net: what happens if you can't manage life or money on your own. Today, John is joined by estate planning attorney Lisa Shoalmire to walk through the real-world planning issues facing "senior orphans," including how to set up financial and medical decision-makers, what to do if you don't have a trusted family member, and how bank agency accounts and professional care managers can step in when needed. They also cover how isolation increases the risk of scams and exploitation, why consolidating accounts and simplifying your finances matters more as you age, and the estate planning details single retirees should get right now—from probate choices to charitable bequests and protections against bad actors. If you're single, widowed, divorced, or simply planning without a spouse you can rely on, this episode is about protecting your independence, your dignity, and your plan—before a crisis forces decisions for you. Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.  📍Contact Devin's team at https://carrolladvisory.co/podcast1   📍Contact John's team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/  If you're thinking, "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast!" please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the "ratings and reviews" section, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. We add new content every week, and if you're not following, you'll likely miss out. Follow now!  Don't miss the Big Picture Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet. We've distilled the essential brackets, thresholds, and rules of retirement into an easy-to-digest, three-page summary. https://www.carrolladvisory.com/pl/2148282517  Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and click on the "Ask A Question" menu selection.