What you can do now to help your loved ones avoid probate later* Many people believe they have their affairs in order. They may have a will, or they may assume accounts will be transferred to the right people without any trouble. It seems straightforward. Then the family discovers that a few details were missed. In my work as an end-of-life doula, I see how quickly things can get complicated. Families arrive with a binder of papers. As we go through it, small gaps show up. Ma

An estimated 41%  of adults in the U.S., over 100 million people, are burdened with some form of healthcare debt. That’s not a fringe issue. That’s nearly half the adult population feeling the weight of bills they often didn’t expect, don’t fully understand, or shouldn’t owe at all.  If you’ve ever opened a medical bill and felt a mix of confusion, disbelief, and anxiety - you’re not alone. And the good news? You’re not powerless, either. Whether it’s a confusing insurance de

You open the letter, read the words, and your heart sinks: your claim has been denied. Whether it’s a procedure you expected to be covered or a medication you’ve relied on, you’re left wondering what to do next.  As an end-of-life doula, I support clients through this stress. Advocacy is a part of my work, and helping with insurance denials is a part of that. I’ve seen how confusing, exhausting, and even scary this process can be, especially when someone is already managing a

What Does a Financial Planner Do?  When you think of financial planning, you might picture spreadsheets, investment strategies, and a lot of overwhelming numbers. But as Elliott Appel, founder of Kindness Financial Planning, explains, it’s so much more than that. Financial planning is about aligning your money with your life and values. It’s about creating peace of mind, especially during life’s most challenging moments, like caregiving, aging, or coping with grief.  In this

Planning your own funeral might seem uncomfortable at first, but it could be one of the most compassionate things you do for your loved ones. In the latest episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula , Traci Arieli talks with Ryan Kolstad, founder of Preplanning.me , about why funeral preplanning is more than just an end-of-life task—it’s a way to offer peace and clarity to your family during a time of grief.    Is it a good idea to preplan a funeral?   W

In the latest episode of Comforting Closure – Discussions with a Death Doula, we talk about a topic that’s often pushed to the sidelines but is of critical importance - estate planning. Joined by estate attorney Debra Cassara, we demystify the complexities and provide actionable insights to navigate this essential path effectively. Key Insights from the Episode: The Essence of Estate Planning: Why it’s not just for the wealthy and how it impacts every individual and their

Transcript: Traci: Hello, everyone. This is Traci Arieli, an end-of-life doula and founder of Comforting Closure. Today, I'm thrilled to have a remarkable guest with me. Please welcome Rosie Poliquin from Pinnacle Elite/World Financial Group. Rosie's mission is to assist people in planning for unexpected circumstances, including end-of-life scenarios. She understands firsthand the importance of protecting hard-earned savings from being depleted by medical or living expenses.