Who’s in Charge When You Can’t Be - with de Groots Wills & Estates Lawyers, Senior Associate Julia Tutt 

We often think about planning for what happens after we die — making a Will, choosing an executor and deciding who should receive our assets.

But what if you’re still alive and you’re no longer able to make decisions for yourself?

That’s where powers of attorney and guardianship come in.

In this episode of Rest Easy Knowing, Fiona talks with Julia Tutt, Senior Associate at de Groots Wills and Estate Lawyers, about the documents that can determine who manages your financial affairs, makes decisions about your health and wellbeing, and steps in when you can no longer make those decisions yourself.

And there’s a serious warning: giving someone power over your finances is a significant decision. The conversation explores the risks of financial elder abuse, why choosing the right person matters, and the checks and balances you can consider putting in place.

In this episode

We talk about:

• The difference between a Will and a power of attorney
• What a power of attorney allows someone to do while you are alive
• What happens to a power of attorney when you die
• The difference between financial decision-making and decisions about health, medical treatment and where you live
• The distinction between a general power of attorney and an enduring power of attorney
• Why choosing an attorney requires careful thought and absolute trust
• How financial elder abuse can occur through powers of attorney
• Why keeping proper accounts and records matters
• How relationships and financial circumstances can change over time
• What happens if an attorney is suspected of misusing someone’s money
• What “loss of capacity” actually means — and why it isn't as straightforward as a diagnosis such as dementia
• The relationship between guardianship and advance healthcare planning
• Whether an independent professional can be appointed instead of a family member
• What to think about before seeing a lawyer to put your estate and incapacity planning in place

The practical takeaway

Julia's advice is simple: think carefully about who you appoint.

Before meeting with a lawyer, consider who you would trust to represent you if you lost capacity, whether that person should also be your executor after your death, and what arrangements might provide appropriate checks and balances.

It is also worth getting your affairs organised: make a summary of your bank accounts, property, lawyers, accountants and other advisers, keep that information somewhere safe, and make sure the people who may need it know where to find it.

Most importantly, don't assume that putting these documents in place once means you can forget about them. Your relationships, finances and circumstances can change significantly over the years.

Meet Julia Tutt

Julia Tutt is a Senior Associate at de Groots Wills and Estate Lawyers, a specialist firm focusing on Wills and Estate Planning, Estate Administration and Estate Litigation.

de Groots has offices in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and specialises exclusively in Wills and Estate law. 

Visit de Groots Wills and Estate Lawyers: degroots.com.au

A note about legal advice

This episode is intended to provide general information and is not a substitute for legal advice. Powers of attorney, guardianship, advance healthcare planning and estate planning arrangements differ between Australian states and territories.

If you are considering putting these documents in place, changing them, or are concerned about someone acting under a power of attorney, speak with a suitably qualified lawyer about your individual circumstances.

Rest Easy Knowing

Rest Easy Knowing is about making conversations around death, dying and end-of-life planning a little less daunting — and helping you understand the practical things that can make a difficult time easier for you and the people you love.

Recorded at Emerald Hill Heritage Centre on the traditional lands of the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. Fiona pays respects to Elders past and present and to all First Nations people listening.

Music by Sapiros.

We discuss clinical care with CEO of Palliative Care Victoria, Violet Platt 

Many Australians associate palliative care with the final days of life—but that's one of the biggest myths surrounding end-of-life care.

In the first episode of Rest Easy Knowing, Fiona Healy sits down with Violet Platt, CEO of Palliative Care Victoria, to explore what palliative care really is, when it should begin, and why understanding it can transform the experience of living with a life-limiting illness.

Violet dispels common misconceptions, explains how palliative care focuses on quality of life rather than giving up hope, and offers practical insights into what families can expect as someone approaches the end of life. Together, they discuss the natural dying process, why advance planning matters, and how honest conversations can help people make informed decisions about the care they want.

Whether you're supporting a loved one, planning for the future, or simply curious about one of life's universal experiences, this episode provides reassurance, practical advice and a compassionate introduction to palliative care.

In this episode:

• What palliative care is—and what it isn't
• Why palliative care isn't just for people with cancer or the final days of life
• The biggest myths surrounding palliative care
• How palliative care improves quality of life
• Signs that someone may be approaching the end of life
• What families can expect during the natural dying process
• How pain, agitation and other symptoms can be managed
• Supporting family members through difficult decisions
• Why planning ahead creates more choice, comfort and peace of mind
• Why, as Violet says, "dying is natural... it isn't something to fear, but it is something to plan for."

About our guest

Violet Platt is the Chief Executive Officer of Palliative Care Victoria, the peak body representing palliative care services across Victoria. With decades of clinical and leadership experience, Violet is a passionate advocate for improving access to quality palliative care and helping Australians better understand what compassionate end-of-life care looks like.

Resources

Palliative Care Victoria
https://www.pallcarevic.asn.au

Advance Care Planning Australia
https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au

Palliative Care Australia
https://palliativecare.org.au

About Rest Easy Knowing

Rest Easy Knowing is a podcast helping Australians better understand death, dying and grief through conversations with recognised leaders in palliative care, grief, law, funeral care and advance care planning.

Hosted by Fiona Healy, each episode asks the questions many Australians don't know to ask—until they're faced with one of life's most challenging moments.

If you found this episode valuable, please follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with your family and friends. Together, we can help normalise conversations about death and empower more Australians to make informed end-of-life decisions.

Understanding Loss, Love and Life that Continues with Grief Australia CEO Christopher Hall

Grief is something every one of us will experience, yet many of us feel completely unprepared when it arrives.

In this episode of Rest Easy Knowing, Fiona speaks with Christopher Hall, Chief Executive Officer of Grief Australia, psychologist and one of Australia's leading voices in grief and bereavement education.

Christopher has spent almost three decades helping Australians better understand grief. Together, they explore why grief is so misunderstood, why there is no universal roadmap through loss, and how simply being present can be far more meaningful than finding the perfect words.

This is a thoughtful conversation about grief, love, memory and the ways we continue our relationship with someone after they die.

In this episode

• Why our society still struggles to talk openly about grief.
• Why fear of saying the wrong thing often leads people to withdraw instead of reaching out.
• What genuinely helps someone who is grieving — and why listening matters more than fixing.
• Why saying "I don't know what to say" can sometimes be more compassionate than offering clichés.
• The truth about the so-called five stages of grief and why they were never designed as a model for bereavement.
• Why grief is deeply individual and can involve thoughts, identity, physical experiences and emotions — not just sadness.
• How grief can resurface years later through anniversaries, places, smells and everyday experiences.
• Why grief doesn't end a relationship; instead, our relationship with the person who died changes over time.
• Whether grief can lead to growth, wisdom and changes in how we see the world.
• How rituals, letters and imagined conversations can help when someone never had the opportunity to say goodbye.
• The differences between grief and depression, and how they can sometimes coexist.
• When it may be helpful to seek additional grief support.
• Supporting children through bereavement with honesty, age-appropriate language and informed choice.
• Why euphemisms such as "they slipped away" or "they're in a better place" can unintentionally close down meaningful conversations.
• Talking honestly and respectfully about deaths by suicide.
• Supporting colleagues, friends and family members from different cultural backgrounds, including understanding the importance of curiosity rather than assumption.
• What happens when someone contacts Grief Australia for bereavement support.

A conversation about grief, not getting over it

One of the most powerful ideas Christopher shares is that grief is not about saying goodbye and letting go. 

While death ends a life, it does not necessarily end our relationship with the person who died. We continue to carry them through memories, conversations in our minds, family traditions and the legacy they leave behind.

For many people, grief is not something to complete. It is something we gradually learn to live alongside.

The practical takeaway

If someone you care about is grieving:

• Turn up.
• Listen more than you speak.
• Don't worry about finding perfect words.
• Acknowledge that you may not know what to say.
• Share memories of the person who died if appropriate.
• Remember that grief often continues long after the funeral.
• Check in again weeks, months and years later.

And if you're grieving yourself, Christopher reminds us that there is no correct timeline, no universal sequence of emotions and no single way that grief should look.

Your experience is your own.

About Christopher Hall

Christopher Hall is the Chief Executive Officer of Grief Australia, a psychologist specialising in grief and bereavement, and a leading educator in the field of grief literacy.

Across his career he has trained thousands of health professionals, contributed to grief research and education, and continues to advocate for a more compassionate and grief-literate Australian community.

About Grief Australia

Grief Australia provides education, resources, counselling and bereavement support to help individuals, families, communities and organisations better understand and respond to grief.

For information, resources and support, visit: Grief Australia https://www.grief.org.au/

Please note

This episode discusses death, bereavement, suicide and grief. Please listen with care if these topics are particularly sensitive for you.

The conversation provides general information and education about grief and bereavement. It is not intended as a substitute for individual psychological or medical advice.

If you would like to learn more about grief support and available resources, visit Grief Australia. 

Rest Easy Knowing

Rest Easy Knowing is a podcast about death, dying and the practical conversations that help us live, and prepare for end-of-life. 

Recorded at the Emerald Hill Heritage Centre on the traditional lands of the Boonwurrung People of the Kulin Nation. Fiona pays respect to Elders past and present and to any First Nations people listening.

Music by Sapiros.

Discussing Wills with de Groots Wills and Estate Lawyers, Julia Tutt Senior Associate. 

What happens to everything you own when you die? And who makes sure your wishes are actually carried out?

Most of us know we should have a will. But how many of us really understand what a will does — and what it doesn’t do?

In this episode of Rest Easy Knowing, Fiona talks to Julia Tutt, Senior Associate at de Groots Wills and Estate Lawyers, about the practical realities of making a will and planning for what happens after we die.

Julia explains why a will is so important, what you need to think about before making one, why some of the things you assume you own may not actually form part of your estate, and the mistakes that can cause problems for your loved ones later.

And there are some surprises along the way — including the fact that your superannuation, family trust assets and even your beloved pets aren't necessarily treated in the way you might expect.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why having a will matters — and how doing the paperwork now can reduce the administrative burden on your family later.
• What actually forms part of your estate, including property, bank accounts, shares and personal possessions.
• What doesn't necessarily form part of your estate, including superannuation and assets held in a family trust.
• Why DIY and online wills can create problems if they aren't properly prepared, signed and witnessed.
• What happens if you die without a will and how intestacy rules determine who may inherit.
• Choosing an executor — why the person you choose needs to be organised, capable and willing to take on the responsibility.
• Specific gifts versus the residue of your estate, and why leaving particular assets to particular people can sometimes have unintended consequences.
• What happens if a beneficiary dies before you — and why your will needs to account for this possibility.
• Digital assets and cryptocurrency, and why your executor needs to know they exist and how to access the relevant information.
• When you should review your will, including after major changes in your family, relationships or financial circumstances.
• Testamentary trusts and when they may be worth considering.
• Leaving a gift to charity and why it's important to identify the intended organisation and purpose clearly.
• Where your original will should be kept and why safe custody matters.
• The importance of talking to your family about where important documents and financial information can be found.

The practical takeaway

Julia's advice is straightforward: see a lawyer.

Before your appointment, think about:

• Who is in your life and who depends on you.
• Who you want to benefit from your estate.
• Who you would trust to act as your executor.
• What you own and how those assets are actually owned.
• Your debts and financial commitments.
• Your superannuation.
• Any family trusts or business interests.
• Digital assets or cryptocurrency.
• What should happen if one of your intended beneficiaries dies before you.

And once you've made your will, don't simply put it in a drawer and forget about it. Review it when your circumstances change and, as Julia suggests, generally consider reviewing it every three to five years.

A conversation worth having

Death can be an uncomfortable subject, but Julia makes an important point: talking about your will doesn't have to be grim.

For adult children, simply knowing that a parent has made a will and knowing where important information can be found can provide considerable peace of mind.

You don't necessarily need to know the details of someone's finances. But knowing where to look can make a difficult time considerably easier.

Meet Julia Tutt

Julia Tutt is a Senior Associate at de Groots Wills and Estate Lawyers. She holds Bachelor of Laws and Arts degrees from the University of New England and was admitted as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2016. She completed a Master of Applied Law, majoring in Wills and Estates, in 2022.

de Groots is a specialist Wills and Estate law firm with offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Find out more about de Groots Wills and Estate Planning:
de Groots Wills and Estate Planning

Please note... This episode provides general information only and is not legal advice. Wills, estates, trusts, superannuation and succession law can be complex,and the law differs between Australian states and territories.

If you are making or updating your will, seek advice about your own circumstances from a qualified legal professional.

Rest Easy Knowing is a podcast about death, dying and the things we can do now to make the end of life easier for ourselves and the people we love.

Because death is inevitable. Being unprepared doesn't have to be.

Recorded at the Emerald Hill Heritage Centre on the traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. Fiona pays respects to Elders past and present and to any First Nations people listening.

Music by Sapiros.

Supporting Families Through Dying, Death and Grief with Death Doula, Candace Ohanessian 

What does a death doula actually do - and could having one transform the experience of dying for both the person at the end of life and those who love them?

In this episode of Rest Easy Knowing, Fiona speaks with Melbourne-based end-of-life doula, funeral celebrant and registered funeral provider Candace Ohanessian about the practical, emotional and spiritual support a death doula provides before, during and after death.

Candace explains how planning ahead can reduce stress for families, why Advance Care Directives are so important, and how a death doula complements, not replaces, the work of palliative care.

The conversation explores common misconceptions about dying, family dynamics at the bedside, caring for someone after death, and how small acts of preparation can make one of life's most difficult experiences less overwhelming.

Whether you're planning ahead, supporting someone who is seriously ill, or simply curious about what happens at the end of life, this episode offers compassionate, practical guidance to help you feel more prepared.

In this episode you'll learn:

•  What a death doula is and how they support families 
•  Why planning early creates a more peaceful end-of-life experience 
•  The important role of Advance Care Directives 
•  How death doulas work alongside palliative care teams 
•  Common signs that someone is approaching death 
•  Why people often stop eating and drinking near the end of life 
•  How to support children through the dying process 
•  Why family-led funerals are becoming more popular 
•  Practical ways families can care for a loved one's body after death 
•  How to navigate difficult family dynamics during end-of-life care 
•  Why talking openly about death can help us live more intentionally 

Memorable moments

•  Why Candace believes every family should have "a family doula" 
•  The touching story of Sauvignon Blanc becoming part of a family's final goodbye 
•  Why boredom, laughter and even black humour are completely normal at the bedside 
•  The importance of honouring what a dying person says they are experiencing 
•  Why the first step towards better end-of-life planning is simply starting the conversation 

Practical takeaway

Candace's advice is simple: Have one conversation about death this week.

It doesn't need to be formal. A conversation sparked by a movie, a news story or someone else's experience can be enough to begin understanding what matters most to the people you love.

Visit Candace's website 

Journease - Funeral Services & End-of-Life Planning Melbourne

Resources mentioned

•  Advance Care Directives 
•  Medical Treatment Decision Makers 
•  Palliative Care 
•  Family-led funerals 
•  Holistic End of Life & Death Care Australia (HELD) 
•  Preparing the Way (End-of-Life Doula training) 

We talk about what happens after someone dies with The Last Hurrah Funerals co-founder, Stass Jones. 

Who do you call? How quickly do decisions need to be made? Does the person always have to go straight to a funeral home? And how much choice do families really have?

In this episode of Rest Easy Knowing, Fiona Healy sits down with Stass Jones, co-founder of The Last Hurrah, to demystify the practical and emotional realities that follow a death. Drawing on her experience supporting hundreds of families, Stass explains what happens behind the scenes and challenges many of the long-held assumptions about funeral care.

Together they explore why families shouldn't feel rushed, how much involvement they can have in caring for someone after death, and why funerals are most meaningful when they honestly reflect the life of the person being remembered.

This is a practical, compassionate conversation that will leave you feeling better informed and more confident about navigating one of life's most difficult moments.

In this episode we discuss:

• The first practical steps after someone dies
• When the Coroner becomes involved
• Why families don't need to feel rushed
• How much involvement families can have in caring for someone after death
• Common myths about funeral care
• Personalising a funeral to reflect the person who has died
• Burial, cremation and emerging environmentally conscious choices
• Prepaid funerals and planning ahead
• The rights families have when making funeral arrangements
• Why honest conversations about death help us make more informed decisions

About our guest

Stass Jones is the co-founder of The Last Hurrah, an independent funeral service based in Melbourne that is reimagining funeral care with compassion, honesty and authenticity. With a background in psychology, youth work, disaster response and community support, Stass is passionate about helping families navigate death in ways that reflect their values rather than tradition for tradition's sake.

Key takeaways from this episode

•  Families have more choices than many people realise. 
•  You don't need to rush after someone dies—there is often time to sit with them and say goodbye. 
•  A funeral should reflect the person who died, not simply follow tradition. 
•  Funeral costs vary enormously, so asking for transparent pricing is important. 
•  You have the right to ask how your loved one will be cared for and to be involved if you wish. 
•  Families remain in control—the person in the funeral home's care is still your person.

Practical steps to consider

Death often leaves families making dozens of decisions under enormous emotional pressure. You can make that easier by doing one thing today:

•  Tell someone what kind of farewell you would want. 
•  Write down three things that matter most to you if you were to die unexpectedly. 
•  Ask your family whether they know your wishes. 
•  Research two or three funeral providers before you need one. 
•  Remember that you don't have to accept the first option you're offered - it's ok to ask questions and compare services.

Resources

The Last Hurrah https://www.thelasthurrah.com.au

Meet our host Fiona, and learn a little more about why this podcast has been created, and what it hopes to achieve. 

We need to get better at having conversations about end-of-life. 

Rest Easy Knowing speaks with subject matter experts about death, dying, and all manner of things end-of-life.