62: Estate Planning: Don’t Leave a Mess!

Join Aileen Miziolek as she sits down with Sandy Pollack, author of Don’t Leave a Mess and expert in values-based legacy planning, and Annie Stoneburgh, Death Doula and geriatric care specialist, to discuss the intersection of estate planning, family business transitions and end-of-life care. Discover how open, meaningful conversations can help families navigate these sensitive topics and create a lasting legacy.

 

Welcome to Let’s Talk Family Enterprise, a podcast that explores the ideas, concepts, and models that best serve Family Enterprise Advisors in supporting their clients.

 

All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Family Enterprise Canada.

 

Guest bio

Sandy Pollack, CFP, CLU, TEP, FEA, MFA-P founded Trimaran Advisory Group, a firm that goes beyond traditional business and estate planning. She has built an advisory firm based on the understanding that each family business has its own unique set of values and issues. Serving as Principal and Lead Financial Advisor, Sandy advocates for values-based legacy planning — believing that building wealth, and managing wealth are not the same thing.

 

You can learn more about Sandy Pollack on her LinkedIn and the Trimaran Advisory Group website.

 

Annie Stoneburgh is the founder of the 2 Steps Ahead consultancy and a professor at George Brown College. She leverages her expertise and passion to raise awareness and educate others on the psychosocial aspects of caring for older adults. Her 30-year career has spanned the entire continuum of geriatric care including Independent Community-based Living, Retirement, and Long-Term Care to Palliative Care.

 

You can learn more about Annie Stoneburgh on her LinkedIn.

 

Key Takeaways

[:26] Aileen Miziolek welcomes Sandy Pollack, financial and family business transition advisor, and Annie Stoneburgh, Professor at Gorge Brown College and Death Doula to discuss a delicate subject.

 

[1:47] Sandy explains what drove her to write her book Don’t Leave a Mess.

 

[3:31] Annie shares how her path led her to study end-of-life care and how she became a Death Doula.

 

[7:41] The archeology analogy Sandy uses to explain how she approaches and structures estate planning discussions with families.

 

[11:21] Meeting a family for the first time implies one difficult request from Annie and how hope changes as conversations progress.

 

[17:06] The advisor’s mindset and their tendency to “silo” can impact end-of-life conversations. Sandy offers ways of digging into deeper conversations.

 

[20:18] Aileen shares a personal story about navigating the end of her husband’s life and working with a Death Doula.

 

[23:34] What being the “what if” means for Annie and why leaving your career at the door when it comes to caregiving in end-of-life is critical.

 

[29:17] Communication (times 3), expectations, and agreement are the key aspects of having a smooth-running family system, especially in the context of a family business transition.

 

[32:52] The important role facilitators play in processing change.

 

[34:18] Annie and Sandy share their advice for advisors as well as some reading recommendations.

 

[38:36] Aileen Miziolek thanks Sandy Pollack and Annie Stoneburgh for sharing so much of their expertise and closes this episode by reminding listeners to rate and subscribe.

 

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Mentioned in this episode

Don’t Leave a Mess!: How to Disaster-Proof Your Family Legacy, by Sandy Pollack

Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest: 7 Keys for Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis, by Samantha Winemaker and Dr. Hsien Seow

 

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