Episode 0017 - Why Every Adult Needs a Medical Power of Attorney & Advance Directive

Episode 0017 - Why Every Adult Needs a Medical Power of Attorney & Advance Directive

What would happen if you had a heart attack tomorrow and couldn't speak for yourself? Most people think death planning is only about what happens after they die. The truth is, many of the most important decisions happen while you're still alive—but unable to make them yourself. In this episode of The Flip Side of Death, Lynn Stone shares several real-life situations involving heart attacks, dementia, caregiving, and medical emergencies that highlight why every adult needs an advance directive and a medical power of attorney. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why medical emergencies happen without warning * The difference between an advance directive and a medical power of attorney * How dementia and cognitive decline complicate decision-making * The importance of choosing the right person to make medical decisions * How caregiver burnout affects families * Why documenting your healthcare wishes is one of the greatest gifts you can leave your loved ones Lynn also shares practical advice for getting these documents completed without spending unnecessary money, along with encouragement to stop putting off one of the most important conversations your family will ever have. If you've been waiting for "someday" to get your paperwork in order, this episode is your reminder that someday isn't guaranteed. Death is inevitable. Chaos is optional.

Episode 0016 - Blended Families & Inheritance: Who Should Get What When You Die?

Who should inherit your money when you die—your spouse, your children, or both? In this episode of The Flip Side of Death, Lynn Stone explores one of the most challenging questions in estate planning: how to handle inheritance in blended families. Inspired by a real-life case involving a second marriage, adult children, and a growing estate, Lynn discusses the emotional and financial realities that many families face when deciding who gets what after death. In this episode, you'll learn: * Common inheritance challenges in blended families * Why second marriages often create estate planning conflicts * The pros and cons of leaving everything to a surviving spouse * How trusts can help protect both spouses and children * Why open communication may prevent future family disputes * The role of letters of intent and final wishes letters * How greed and grief can complicate family relationships after a death Lynn also shares her perspective as both a widow and a stepmother, offering practical advice for families trying to balance fairness, financial security, and family harmony. Whether you're part of a blended family, remarried later in life, or simply trying to avoid future conflict, this episode will help you think through some of the toughest estate planning decisions you'll ever make. Article from MSN.com: 'It's Complicated': My husband, 61, wants to leave me everything. His kids will hate me. What should I do? [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/it-s-complicated-my-husband-61-wants-to-leave-me-everything-his-kids-will-hate-me-what-should-i-do/ar-AA1YJYrB?ocid=BingHp01&pc=L900&cvid=61286af58e864142e502ef214d1c3c24&ei=189] Death is inevitable. Chaos is optional.

Episode 0015 - Death Planning for Your Finances: Part 2

What happens to your taxes, investments, life insurance, and property when you die? In Part 2 of this financial death-planning series, Lynn B. Stone dives into the legal and financial documents that can save your family months of stress, confusion, and costly mistakes. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why your estate still has to file taxes after death * How to organize tax returns and financial records * What beneficiaries need to know about life insurance and retirement accounts * The difference between a will and a trust * How probate works and why it can take months—or years * Common mistakes that can cause trust assets to end up in probate * Why beneficiary designations matter more than most people realize * How to search for forgotten assets and unclaimed property You'll also discover the shocking truth that more than $70 billion in unclaimed property is sitting in state treasuries across the United States waiting to be claimed. This episode provides practical steps to help your family find important documents, access financial accounts, avoid unnecessary delays, and carry out your wishes with confidence. 👉 Visit MissingMoney.com [http://MissingMoney.com] to search for unclaimed property. 👉 Visit www.authorlynnbstone.com [http://www.authorlynnbstone.com] for additional planning tools and resources. Death is inevitable. Chaos is optional.

Episode 0014 - Death Planning for Your Finances: Part 1

What would happen if your family couldn't access your money after you died? In this episode of The Flip Side of Death, Lynn B. Stone begins a two-part series on one of the most overlooked aspects of death planning: financial access. From passwords and bank accounts to recurring bills and digital payment apps, this episode explores what your loved ones need to know before a crisis occurs. You'll learn: * How to create a master list of financial accounts * Why passwords can be more valuable than money itself * How to organize recurring bills and automatic payments * What happens to PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, and other digital accounts after death * The risks of cryptocurrency and forgotten digital assets * How to securely store account information for your family * The importance of a Life & Legacy Binder Lynn shares real examples of surviving spouses who spent months trying to access money, nearly lost their homes, and faced unnecessary financial hardship simply because critical information wasn't documented. If your loved ones can't access your accounts, they can't pay the mortgage, keep the lights on, or manage your affairs. This episode gives you practical, actionable steps to protect your family from financial chaos. 👉 Visit www.authorlynnbstone.com [http://www.authorlynnbstone.com] for planning tools and resources. Death is inevitable. Chaos is optional.

Episode 0013 - Grief, Caregiving & Legacy: A Daughter’s Story of Love, Loss & Healing

What happens when grief becomes part of your legacy? In this heartfelt episode of The Flip Side of Death, Lynn B. Stone sits down with educator, entrepreneur, and baker Stacey Taylor to talk about caregiving, anticipatory grief, hospice, losing a parent, and finding healing after loss. After her mother, Wanda, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, Stacey became both caregiver and daughter—walking through the emotional reality of preparing to lose the person who had always been her anchor. Together, Lynn and Stacey discuss: * Caring for an aging parent during terminal illness * The emotional impact of anticipatory grief * Hospice care and lessons learned * Why grief can feel like an honor instead of something to avoid * The importance of therapy and self-care during caregiving * How food, traditions, and recipes carry legacy forward * Building a business from her mother’s recipes after loss Stacey also shares the story behind her bakery, Cakique, and how her mother’s pound cake recipes became part of a living legacy that continues to bless others today. This conversation is raw, hopeful, emotional, and deeply comforting for anyone walking through grief, caregiving, or life after loss. 👉 Visit www.authorlynnbstone.com [http://www.authorlynnbstone.com] for grief and planning resources 👉 Support local and follow Stacey’s bakery journey at www.cakique.com [http://www.cakique.com] and also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @cakique01 Death is inevitable. Chaos is optional.