Being named as trustee of a parent’s trust is a real responsibility, and it’s often where sibling relationships get tested. A few things, done at the right time, can make the difference between a process that brings a family together and one that pulls it apart.

Estate planning is the intersection of money, care, and what happens when life doesn't go as planned. In a fireside conversation with financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin of Mind Money Balance, Mitzi founder and estate planning attorney Katie Katz answered the questions women are actually asking. Here is everything they covered.

Most of the internet treats probate like a four-letter word. But under certain circumstances, going through probate can actually protect a family more than avoiding it would. Here is a more honest look at what probate is and when it can work in your favor.

A lot of families assume the key is enough. The bank generally disagrees. Here's how safe deposit box access actually works after someone passes away, and the one step that can make all the difference.

Couples spend months planning a wedding and very little time talking about money. These five conversations are worth having before the ceremony, whether or not a prenup is part of the picture. Most couples skip at least one of them.

You're here because you want to support your parents in getting their plan in order. That instinct matters. This page brings together everything Mitzi has put together on this topic, organized by where you are in the process.

A trust from the 1990s isn't automatically a broken one. But tax laws have changed, digital life didn't exist yet, and the people named in it may have moved on. Three things tend to go quietly out of date in older trusts, and none of them require starting over.

Your parent worked with their attorney on a power of attorney and named you as their agent. The instinct is to just sign. Before you do, three questions are worth understanding — not because something is likely to be wrong, but because accepting this role is a real commitment, and knowing what you're agreeing to makes all the difference when the moment actually comes.

When my parents and I sat down to go through their estate plan together, I expected most of it to still hold up. What we found surprised me. Not because anyone had done anything wrong, but because plans get older, lives change, and the documents don't update themselves.

POD and TOD designations typically override your will entirely. The bank generally follows the form on file, not your wishes. Two common mistakes send money to the wrong person or straight to probate, and most people have no idea until it is too late.

Talking to aging parents about estate planning is one of the hardest conversations to start, and statistically, women are far more likely to end up having to. Trusts and estates attorney Katie Katz walks through how to bring it up, the documents most families miss, and 5 questions that open the door without anyone getting defensive. Watch the full webinar.

Talking to aging parents about estate planning is one of the hardest conversations to start, and statistically, women are far more likely to end up having to. Trusts and estates attorney Katie Katz walks through how to bring it up, the documents most families miss, and 5 questions that open the door without anyone getting defensive. Watch the full webinar.

Women's incomes are catching up to men's, but women still only own and keep 32 cents for every dollar. Estate planning is a bigger part of why than you'd think.

Estate planning isn't just about what happens after you die. It's about protecting yourself while you're alive. Trust and estates attorney Katie Katz breaks down the three foundational documents every woman should have, what you need at every life stage, and answers the questions women are actually asking. Watch the full recording and download the slides.

Vacations are good for your mental health, but travel also increases risk. You’re more likely to be in an accident while traveling, and on family trips the people you’d normally rely on are often with you, which means a group emergency can break your plan. Here are the four documents to review before you leave, plus a last-minute checklist if you’re traveling soon.

Statistically, wives outlive husbands. But 76% are unprepared for the financial mess left behind. Based on reporting from The Wall Street Journal, we break down the 5 "Financial Blind Spots" that burden grieving spouses—including the "Widow's Penalty"—and the simple steps you can take today to protect your future.

Estate planning in Michigan is not just about the end of life. It is about protection while you are alive. Learn the three documents every woman and family should understand to reduce stress and protect the people they love.

Many parents worry about what will happen to their child’s inheritance if their spouse remarries or has more children. This is often called the Cinderella Scenario, and it comes up far more often than people realize. Research shows that within two years of losing a spouse, more than 60 percent of widowers and about 20 percent of widows enter a new relationship. These changes can shift how money is used and who ultimately receives it. The most effective way to protect your child is a clear estate plan that includes a medical power of attorney, a financial power of attorney, guardianship instructions and written guidance for how your assets should be handled. This simple planning step ensures your wishes are legally enforceable and prevents confusion for your family in the future.

Estate planning can feel overwhelming, especially when it usually means hiring a lawyer and spending more than you want to. But the basics are simpler than most people realize. These three core documents are the foundation that protects you and the people you love.