Death Readiness Dispatch
June 27, 2025

 
 

 
Hi First name / there,
 
My dad walked through the front door holding a thick envelope and looking confused. “I think someone sent me a lawsuit,” he said. 
 
It wasn’t a lawsuit. It was a court order concerning a man he knew who was incapacitated, whose kids were battling for control. A private family fight had spilled out into the public record and landed in my dad’s mailbox. 
 
Because my dad led a small organization the man belonged to, the court directed him to send all future correspondence to a court-appointed representative.
 
Without a plan for incapacity, the court steps in, privacy disappears, legal fees mount, and relationships splinter.

When Love Turns into a Lawsuit

Not every family fight starts with greed. Sometimes it starts with love, the kind of love that fractures under the weight of medical decisions, financial pressure, or a parent’s sudden decline.
 
My podcast guest this week is Sarah Ecklein, a professional fiduciary who’s called in when relationships collapse. 
 
Listen to learn:
  • What a professional fiduciary actually does, and when your family might need one
  • How neutral third parties can prevent legal battles and protect relationships
  • Why naming the “responsible sibling” as trustee isn’t always the kindest choice

Is Your Family Headed for Conflict? 
This Quiz Might Change Your Plan.

You don’t have to be rich for things to go sideways. You need nothing more than unclear roles, unspoken resentment, or an overwhelmed sibling trying to do too much alone.
 
Wondering if your family might benefit from having an independent person in the mix? There’s a quiz for that - ten quick multiple-choice questions
  • Find out if your family dynamics could benefit from a neutral third party
  • Uncover blind spots before conflict erupts
  • Obtain next-step recommendations tailored to your score
Because protecting your people might mean not choosing them.

 
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Thanks for being here.
Jill
 

 
Starting Tuesday, July 8th, I’m launching a new series of short, bite-sized episodes called Tuesday Triage—real answers to real questions
If there’s something you’d like me to cover, hit reply and ask away. 
Your question might be featured in an upcoming episode!
 
 

 
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