Wills, trusts, probate, guardianships, and powers of attorney may intimidate the average baby boomer or senior citizen. Family relationships get strained: who makes decisions, who speaks for whom and who controls the money?
These important questions are best addressed before a health crisis hits. Retired probate judge Merri Rudd, co-author of the 5th Edition of the comprehensive book Life Planning in New Mexico, knows what happens when families fail to plan. She saw many tragic examples in her courtroom over 10 years. What can you do to protect yourself and your family?
Merri Rudd joins host Gail Rubin on A Good Goodbye Radio on Wednesday, October 9 at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT to talk about life planning issues and what everyone needs to know and act upon now.
Topics include:
- How the probate process works
- Who gets to speak on your behalf when you cannot
- Why it’s a good idea to preauthorize your own cremation
- What can be done to help elders with Alzheimer’s or dementia
- How to prepare documents that make it easier for your family after your death.
As an attorney before becoming a probate judge in 2001, Merri Rudd focused her practice on elder law. She compiled and edited the award-winning New Mexico Senior Citizens Handbook, published by the State Bar of New Mexico in 1989. In 1993, Rudd, along with attorney Tom Smidt, drafted and advocated the successful passage of a law that ensures an individual’s right to choose cremation. Her company Abogada Press publishes Life Planning in New Mexico.
Download the podcast!
A Good Goodbye is an entertaining and educational weekly 60-minute online radio show on “everything you need to know before you go.” The program airs live on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. CT / 4:00 p.m. MT / 3:00 p.m. PT online.
Each show becomes available as a podcast shortly after each live program. All past program podcasts on A Good Goodbye radio can be downloaded for free from iTunes or AGoodGoodbye.com.
Upcoming programs will feature Katy Butler, author of Knocking on Heaven’s Door: The Path to a Better Way of Death (Oct. 23), Dianne Gray, president of the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation, and Stephanie West Allen, founder of Create a Great Funeral Day (Oct. 30).
A Good Goodbye covers a wide range of critical information most people don’t consider until there’s a death in the family. Host Gail Rubin brings a light touch to a serious subject and presents expert interviews on funeral planning issues with practical insights into the party no one wants to plan.
By planning ahead and having a conversation, families can reduce stress at a time of grief, minimize family conflict, save money and create a meaningful, memorable “good goodbye.”
Sign up for a free planning form and get more information at www.AGoodGoodbye.com.
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ABOUT GAIL RUBIN
Gail Rubin, The Doyenne of Death®
Gail Rubin, The Doyenne of Death®, is author of the award-winning book, A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don’t Plan to Die. Host of A Good Goodbye television series and Internet radio show, she is also a Certified Celebrant, funeral planning consultant, insurance agent and a popular speaker who uses humor and films to get the funeral planning conversation started. Rubin is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling and the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association. She is Vice President of the Jewish-Christian Dialogue of New Mexico, helping to start conversations across religions. Her website is www.AGoodGoodbye.com.
Contact: Gail Rubin | PH: 505-265-7215