Thoughtful Planning

Laughter has been a common way for people to cope and deal with difficult and intense situations in their lives. Humor helps us not take ourselves too seriously in the middle of a serious situation.

So in this episode, our essential question asks, “Is humor a way to help you cope with the planning process?”

Joining us today to answer this question is Robin Phoenix Johnson, retired Lieutenant Colonel. She served in the U.S. Army for over twenty years before transitioning into the entertainment industry as a comedian. As she pursued her passion, she recognized the lack of community for military-affiliated comedians, so she founded the Best Medicine Brigade. After two decades of hearing about how difficult military life and war is, she knew that people needed to hear the funny stories of the military. Then she realized that comedy can be a therapy to heal the mind, so she started HEAL*ARIOUS, a therapeutic humor program as a proactive approach to using humor as a cognitive behavioral theory tool for reframing negative thought patterns. 

As someone who has faced death and came out stronger and with more appreciation for life, she knows how precious life is, and how important humor is to helping us live the best life. 

How does humor in the face of death change the way we live our lives?

Humor makes us so much more optimistic about the outcomes of our situations. After all, it is difficult to stay depressed if you’re laughing. That’s why it’s so important to be able to reframe your thoughts and find something else to focus on. And sometimes, laughing is the only way to do this.

How do near-death experiences change your perception of life?

An encounter with death allows you to realize how much you haven’t done, how much you want to say, and what else you need to do. It is a second chance in life. It makes you pursue the things you want to, and live the life you want, without concern for what others might say.

How do you balance humor and sensitivity when discussing end-of-life issues?

Robin’s answer to this question? “I don’t.” She recognizes that there is a part in all of us that enjoys the dark humor, the jokes that almost cross a line. And when you’ve come so close to death, you get to make the jokes and develop the humor that no one can say anything about. You realize how much people appreciate honesty, and how much they want to be treated as just another person, especially if they’re in a difficult situation or going through something tough.

So in any particularly difficult or painful situation, look for what is weird, hard, scary, or stupid. There’s a joke to be said there.

Additional Resources: 

Best Medicine Brigade

HEAL*ARIOUS

Connect with Robin:

Instagram

TIkTok

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In this episode, the essential question is, “What is elder law and why do I need to know about it?”

To guide us through this big topic, we have invited Stacey Edwards, Esq. from Edwards Estate & Elder Law in New Jersey. With over 2 decades of legal experience, she dabbled in various specializations of law, but Estates and Trusts is where she decided to stay. She finds purpose in helping other people, and in this specialization, she gets to help her clients by compassionately navigating crises and creating plans to provide them with peace of mind that if and when a health crisis or death happens, their dignity, wishes and assets will be preserved. 

What is Elder Law?

Elder Law is not one book of law, it’s a big complex area of multiple laws that affect adults who are aging. It involves 12 areas of law that apply to the elderly, people anywhere 50 and up and really just means adult. It includes guardianship or conservatorship, a multitude of federal taxes, state taxes, marital laws, Medicare, Medicaid, social security, contracts, consumer fraud, disability and other public benefits, veteran’s benefits, ERISA, and more. It helps individuals prepare for unexpected circumstances and all the legalities surrounding them, like medical conditions or emergencies, estate management, wills, trusts and many more. Everyone needs it as a form of crisis management and future planning, ideally as soon as they turn 18. For the layperson, it means planning for what happens to your assets when you die and what happens to you if you don’t die, but under medical care.

Why is Elder Law important?

Elder law is a preparation for emergencies and tragedies. It is for the peace of mind of the individual and their loved ones. It makes sure that all involved parties will know what to do and can rest assured that everything is taken care of, and they can focus on the situation at hand without any preventable stress. In too many situations, people have been caught unaware and left clueless about what to do. Even worse, they lost time and money on legal work during an already stressful situation.

How can Elder Law help with Medicare / Medicaid?

Medicare and Medicaid are incredibly complicated, with each their qualifications, applications, and regulations. It’s often too much for one individual to understand. Elder Law can help by looking at your situation, making you understand what applies to you, and presenting you with all the related possibilities and options.

What makes Elder Law unique?

Elder Law is catered towards the goal of each individual. If they want to focus on legacy and make sure that their children and heirs are taken care of, or preserve assets for their spouse in medical emergencies, then Elder Law can make sure that the correct documents are in order, proper records are filed, and all involved individuals are made aware.

Remember, a good plan is the key to peace of mind. It is better to plan and prepare now when you can make good and informed decisions, than in times of crises when the stakes and emotions are high. So take a look at Elder Law, try to learn what your state laws are, and do what you can to prepare for the future, today.

Additional Resources: 

Disclaimer: This podcast does not offer legal advice. Estate planning and elder law are national topics, each state has its own laws and regulations. Consult with qualified lawyers to discuss your specific circumstances and needs.

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This week’s essential question is: Where are you on your journey?  

Santiago and Honey are doing an update episode, filling you in on things they’ve learned, and what they’ve been working on in their journey. 

Financial Management and Taxation Santiago shares experiences with business taxes, tracking recurring expenses, and subscription management through Rocket Money. They discuss the challenges and benefits of using financial management tools.

Future Goals They outline their goals for the next quarter, including setting up a family password manager, alternating bill payments, decluttering, and updating their legacy ledger.

Where are you on your journey? Remember, this isn’t something you have to do all at once. Use the Legacy Ledger to get started.

Remember that every chapter you write today shapes your legacy tomorrow.

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Today’s essential question: Do you have a solid understanding of your assets?

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook the importance of organizing our financial assets. However, Santiago and Honey are on a mission to change that narrative with their innovative tool, the Legacy Ledger.

The Legacy Ledger is more than just a spreadsheet; it's a

comprehensive system designed to help individuals and families organize their

assets effectively. Whether it's bank accounts, life insurance policies, or

home assets, the Ledger provides a structured approach to asset management.

With features like dropdown menus and formulas, users can easily input their

information and track their assets with precision.

Link to the Legacy Ledger introductory offer, expires on April 5, 2024

Link to the Legacy Ledger after April 5, 2024 

Join the Facebook Group for More Info

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The episode of Thoughtful Planning features a conversation about organ donation, focusing on the impact it has on recipients and their families. Honey and Santiago welcomed Kim Perkins, a pancreas transplant recipient, to share her personal journey.

Today’s essential question: how do you think organ donation affects recipients and their families?

Kim shared her experience of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in her 20s and struggling with managing the disease for years. She eventually explored the possibility of a pancreas transplant and underwent a successful transplant surgery, which has allowed her to live insulin-free for over 10 years.

Throughout the conversation, Kim debunks myths about organ donation, emphasizing the importance of registering as a donor and discussing the misconceptions surrounding medical professionals' motivations regarding organ procurement.

She highlights the ripple effect of organ donation,  and how it not only saves lives but also provides hope and healing to donor families. Kim encourages listeners to consider becoming organ donors, emphasizing the wide-ranging positive impact it can have on numerous lives.

Important data: According to the Health Resource and Service Administration, on average, there's 103,327 people waiting for a transplant. 17 people on the list die each day in the US. That's over 6,200 folks who die annually waiting for a transplant.

If you donate, you can potentially save eight lives by donating your heart, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, and intestines. You can also impact up to 75 others by giving your corneas, eyes, skin, bones, heart valves, veins, and tendons. 

If you're inspired to learn more or are considering becoming an organ donor, we encourage you to investigate the resources available in your state. 

As always, this is for information purposes only. If you have medical or legal questions, please contact your doctor or lawyer for specific information about your situation.

Resources: 

Organ Donation Info 

Sign Up to Donate 

Connect with Kim 

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Santiago and Honey are back, and they’re talking about organ donation. Specifically, is being an organ donor right for me or you? 

Did you know that eight people can be saved by a single donor and that a single person can give up to 72 different parts of your body? Find out what’s involved, and how it all works so you can decide if being an organ donor is right for you. 

Joining them is Rachel Quigley, the communications coordinator with Texas Organ Sharing Alliance in San Antonio. She explained that over 10,000 people in Texas and over 100,000 in the U.S. are waiting for a life-saving organ. Every state has a Donate Life branch, so you can check online for the one where you live. 

Rachel explains that as a Texas resident, if you pass away in another state, your family will have to explain your wishes since your donation status was registered in Texas. 

They also discuss: 

How does the actual donation process work? 

Rachel also outlines the matching process used to determine who will receive the organs. Recipient information is in the UNOS system, (United Network for Organ Sharing), and when a donor passes, their information is entered as well. From there the system will look for potential matches to determine who receives the organ. 

There’s after donation support for families so they can understand how their loved one’s donations impacted others. Some donor families and recipients choose to meet and honor the gift of life, but it’s something that both parties need to agree to. There’s no expectation or requirement of anyone if that’s not what they want to do. 

Some other amazing statistics: 

Is being an organ donor right for you? This episode will help you better understand the process and the steps you can take to make your wishes known. 

Resources: 

Texas Organ Sharing Alliance

Donate Life Texas

Connect with Santiago and Honey

Legacy Toolkit

Connect on Facebook

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Honey and Santiago are back with attorney Shawn McCammon discussing today’s essential question: do I need a power of attorney and or medical directives? 

We all hope we’ll never need someone else to make decisions for us. The best way to know that your wishes will be honored is to use the power of attorney and medical directive options available to spell out what should be done in case you aren’t able to communicate that to people managing your care. 

The discussion covers the purpose of these documents in managing affairs during periods of incapacity, making medical decisions, and specifying preferences for end-of-life care. Shawn explains the different types of options: 

The conversation addresses specific scenarios, such as dealing with financial vulnerability due to online relationships, DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) requests, and concerns about family members exhibiting memory issues. Shawn provides legal perspectives on intervening to protect assets and ensuring the well-being of family members facing health challenges.

He also explains that by setting things up now when you do not need them gives you the opportunity to also determine when they can go into effect. The example he shared is with the financial power of attorney. This can be set up, but not go into effect until your doctor indicates that you are incapacitated. 

Making these decisions now is the best way to ensure your wishes will be followed and it relieves the burden of your loved ones trying to decide on your behalf. 

The hosts inquire about encouraging a family member to seek medical evaluation when in denial about potential health issues. Shawn suggests involving a trusted third party or mediator, setting up basic planning like powers of attorney, and, if necessary, pursuing legal avenues like conservatorship.

The conversation concludes with Shawn offering advice to the audience, highlighting the importance of understanding that powers of attorney can be set up to be effective only during incapacity. He encourages having both financial and medical powers of attorney, considering geographic proximity when choosing agents, and planning for potential scenarios with medical directives or living wills.

Remember, while we're here to inform, this isn't personal legal advice. For specific guidance, consulting with professionals is always best.

Resources: 

Shawn McCammon

Santiago and Honey – Legacy Toolkit

Join the Facebook Group 

Episode about Wills

Episode about Trusts

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Honey and Santiago are talking with attorney and estate planning expert Shawn McCammon. Today’s essential question: How do I know if a trust is right for me and what type should I be considering? 

This is part two of their estate planning trilogy to explain things in terms that we can all understand. 

A living trust serves as a versatile tool, akin to a Swiss army knife, in estate planning. The primary benefit of a living trust is its role in avoiding probate, the default court process for handling estates. 

By placing assets in the trust, individuals can sidestep the probate court, ensuring a more private, streamlined, and cost-effective distribution of assets to heirs. Additionally, a living trust establishes a legal obligation for the trustee, such as a family member or trusted advisor, to manage and use the assets for the individual's care during any period of incapacity, offering protection.

Are all trusts the same? 

Shawn distinguishes between two main types of trusts: revocable living trusts, which are flexible and can be amended over time, and irrevocable trusts, which are less flexible and may be set up for specific purposes like tax planning, charitable trust planning, or special needs trust planning. For most clients, a revocable living trust is the preferred choice.

Santiago and Honey share from their personal experience emphasizing the importance of simplicity and ease in estate planning. If something happens to your spouse, that is not the time you want to be answering legal questions or making big decisions. Doing it ahead of time makes things much easier on everyone. 

Shawn also addresses the funding aspect of trusts, highlighting the significance of ensuring that assets are properly transferred into the trust to avoid probate issues. This isn’t complicated as Santiago shared, in some cases it’s as simple as signing some new paperwork at your bank, but it’s a step that you don’t want to skip. 

The conversation shifts to considerations for small business owners in estate planning. Shawn advises involving the next generation in the business early on to increase the likelihood of a successful transition. He also recommends legal structures like LLCs or corporations to facilitate minority ownership for family members. 

They also discuss the role of Medicaid planning and trusts in managing assets, qualifying for Medicaid, and protecting assets from recovery. Elder law attorneys, specializing in Medicaid planning, are recommended for assistance in navigating the complex rules and tools involved. 

How much does it cost to create a trust? 

Prices will vary depending on the complexity of your estate. Shawn explains his approach which is to have a consultation to determine the scope and then he provides his clients a flat fee for the trust preparation and any assistance filing documents to fund the trust as well. Finding an attorney who specializes in trusts is more likely to handle the process this way instead of hourly billing. 

Trusts are not just for super wealthy people. It’s a way to plan ahead, protecting your assets, making sure you are cared for, and your heirs are not left with a complicated legal process. 

As always, this is not meant to be legal advice, but information to help you make personal decisions about the steps you want to take regarding your end of life planning. 

Interview with Shawn about wills. 

Shawn’s Website 

Have a question? Join the Facebook group and let us know!

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Today, our essential question is: what is a will and why do you need one? 

To answer all our questions about this, we’ve invited Shawn McCammon from McCammon Law located in Boerne, Texas. He has over 20 years of legal experience with a focus on wills, trusts and estate planning. 

Shawn is the expert from that insightful lunch and learn we referenced in episode one. When it comes to legal issues, there’s a lot to consider so this is part one of a three-part series with Shawn. 

This podcast episode dives into the importance of having a will and estate plan, with a focus on wills. Here are the key points:

What is a will?

Why do you need a will?

Common misconceptions about wills:

Tips for getting a will:

Additional resources:

Remember, this is not a substitute for professional legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney to discuss your specific circumstances and needs.

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Making decisions about end-of-life care can be difficult, but it's important to have these discussions with your family. Robyn Cogburn, a geriatric nurse practitioner, discusses the differences between hospice and palliative care, and how to know if hospice is right for you or your family.

Hospice vs. Palliative Care

Hospice and palliative care are both options for end-of-life care, but they differ in their focus and goals. Hospice is a more formal option that is focused on relieving pain and suffering caused by a specific diagnosis. Palliative care is a broader term that can be used for any type of care that focuses on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.

Deciding if Hospice is Right for You

The decision of whether or not to choose hospice is a personal one that should be made by the patient and their family. There is no right or wrong answer, and the best decision will vary depending on the individual's circumstances.

Discussion Questions

If you are considering hospice care, it is important to talk to your doctor and family members to discuss your options. Here are some questions to consider:

1) What are the pros and cons of hospice care?

2) What are the pros and cons of palliative care?

3) How can you know if hospice is right for you or your family?

It’s important to remember that everyone is experiencing trauma when a loved one is near the end of life. Family members and close friends can benefit from the care provided by hospice too. 

They can better manage their stress and anxiety when there is an understanding of what’s happening and the knowledge that their loved one has made the decision about what’s best for them. 

Additional Resources

If you are looking for more information about hospice or palliative care, there are many resources available online and in your community. Here are a few suggestions:

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