Practical Matters
Financial, legal and other practical tips and tools to help you on your Caregiving journey.
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Blog Posts on Practical Matters
View all of our blog posts on practical matters here.
End of Life Planning
Informative Resources
Cathy Weaver
I have created this ebook for you and your loved ones as my gift to you and your future generations. This is free and available to all via my website www.MyFinalFootPrints.com or download the ebook here and of course, there are disclaimers throughout. Hire an attorney and a financial advisor and an accountant and a funeral director and other professionals to help you, but at least this document could serve as your “How To” start the conversation about death and dying and grieving and bereavement and the whole topic of grief. I hope this makes it easier for all of us. Watch a brief intro video to book.
End-of-Life Planning I Document Checklist for Families (asbestos.com)
Get a complete checklist of important end-of-life documents to prepare. Protect your wishes and ease your loved ones’ burden. from the Mesothelioma Center at asbestos.com.
Financial Services
Fiduciary Partner
One of the things that was hardest for me as a caregiver, and financial power of attorney and executor was trying to figure out who I could trust with my Loved One’s finances. Often as people age they have multiple brokers and agencies because they will purchase different financial products from different firms. And they usually have a different firm that holds their pension.
In my book I mention a few national fiduciary companies you can contact. However, when I met Alexis at a networking meeting and learned about Tilia Fiduciary Partners I decided they are the company that I will proudly offer on my website. And just to be clear – I receive nothing from them for this endorsement. I believe in working with a fiduciary as your team captain for your Loved One’s financial well being. They are LEGALLY OBLIGATED to ONLY do what is BEST FOR YOUR LOVED ONE’S LONG TERM FINANCIAL WELL BEING. So you are able to sleep at night and not worry if you are being told something because it benefits the financial representative vs your Loved One.
Tilia Fiduciary Partners are licensed nationwide and easy to talk to and work with. I am so grateful to have found them and be able to recommend them to you and dearly wish they had existed when I went through the financial part of caregiving for my Loved Ones. Here is more about them, their company and their small team.
I will be adding additional financial resources to this section but they will be the only fiduciary group that you will find in my resources.
Tilia Fiduciary Partner
Tilia Fiduciary Partners is a zero-sales commission financial planning and investment management firm. Our mission is to enrich the lives of our clients and larger community through expert, independent advice and personalized investment management. As a fiduciary, we have an ethical duty to act solely in the best interests of our clients. Our team cumulatively has decades of experience helping families navigate the stressors that come with assuming responsibility for their loved one’s financial affairs. Whether planning for the estate of a loved one, the transition of assets to a spouse, or navigating an inheritance after loss, our team works hand in hand with our clients. We specialize in tailored financial planning solutions that honor the legacy of a family member. Additionally, we are closely connected to an expert network of attorneys, accountants, and related consultants to solve complex issues when it comes to generational wealth and family estate planning..
Meet their wonderful team!
Ryan Casey, CFP, CEPA:
Ryan is a zero-sales commission investment advisor, financial planner and co-owner of Tilia Fiduciary Partners, Inc. He primarily serves tax-conscious retirees and small business owners with maximizing their eventual business sale proceeds. In addition to serving on Tilia’s Investment Policy Committee, Ryan is responsible for cultivating a team culture committed to clients’ financial success.
Previously, Ryan worked for a healthcare investment bank analyzing healthcare and biotech companies before joining the Marine Corps. As a Captain with a “Light Attack” helicopter squadron, he flew combat missions overseas. He holds the Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Exit Planning Advisor designations as well as Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Walker Abney, CFP:
Walker Abney is the co-founder of Tilia Fiduciary Partners. Walker’s core duties include investment research and portfolio management, as well as advising clients on investment planning. Walker holds an M.S. in Finance & Investment Management from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a B.S.B.A. in Finance & Banking from Appalachian State University. He earned the Certified Financial Planner™ designation in 2009. Prior to Tilia, Walker guided clients as a Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors.
Walker is a believer in “brilliant simplicity” when it comes to investing. He advocates for empowering our clientele via ongoing education, keeping investment costs as low as possible, and direct investment ownership rather than outsourced “pooled investment vehicles.” He strongly believes investments that are complex, opaque, and high-cost have no place in most investors’ portfolios. A resident of Wilmington, NC since 2006, Walker has three young boys that occupy most of his free time these days. Walker is heavily involved in several local non-profit organizations and is the former President of the Board of Trustees for the Historic Wilmington Foundation.
Alexis Delia:
Alexis joined Tilia Fiduciary Partners in 2023 shortly after earning her B.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication, with minors in Entrepreneurship & Nonprofit Management from the University of North Carolina – Wilmington. She is currently pursuing her Certified Financial Planner™ designation and aspires to work with clients in planning for life’s everyday moments and their biggest events. Alexis deeply values building relationships with clients and brings commitment, accountability, and enthusiasm to her role.
Previously, Alexis worked in the Publishing industry bringing popular nonfiction titles to bookstores around the country. She is an avid reader and is passionate about continued education, mentorship, and making a positive difference in people’s lives. She has worked with several local nonprofits including the Miracle League of Wilmington, Rise Up Community Farm, Nourish NC, and more.
Tilia publishes a monthly financial newsletter! All of their newsletters can be found here.
Legal Matters
Books
For You When I Am Gone: A Journal: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Ethical Will by Steve Leader
Legal Shield
I am an associate of LegalShield which means I will earn a commission – at no extra cost to you – on any products or services you purchase through my associate link.
About LegalShield
LegalShield has been a pioneer in providing legal plans for over 50 years, and our mission has been a straightforward, practical approach. In a perfect world, you’d never need a lawyer, but in an unpredictable world it helps to have a team of lawyers on your side. LegalShield has made smart legal coverage simple – in the form of accessible, affordable, full-service coverage.
Learn more about LegalShield and purchase their services.
• Legal Plan Flat Sheet
• 5 Reasons to Make a Will NEW
• Estate Planning Guide
Organizational Tools & Apps
One of the most important things about caregiving and just our regular lives is figuring out the tools and how to keep ourselves organized and moving forward. This list of resources will help you get organized and once you are set up in the apps it will save you LOTS of time!
Lili's Own Priority Planner
I experienced a lot of frustration with the planners that were available when I was a Caregiver. I created this beautiful, undated 6-month Priority Planner that allows you to keep track of your weekly “to do’s” for your top priorities for you, your Loved One, and more. It is available now and I am so excited for you to see it!! It is everything I wanted and needed in a paper planner but could not find.
Sections for kids, caregiving, appointments and more
Places to keep track of birthdays, anniversaries and other important dates
Monthly overview pages
Undated so you can start when you’re ready
Apps for Your Phone or Tablet
Cozi and Fly Lady are two of my favorite websites that are also available to use as apps!! They both saved me hours of time when I was juggling everything and trying to balance caregiving with work and family needs.
Cozi allows your entire family or caregiving team to communicate on a single calendar! It also lets you share lists, and has To Do’s and much more!
Flylady taught me how to easily keep my home “clean enough” when I had no time just by her daily instructions on what to clean when. I no longer had to use precious brain power figuring out what to clean next. I just followed her daily reminders and clean and calmness unfolded for all of us.
Cozi makes it easy to stay on top of it all.
Track everyone’s activities in one shared place.
Color codes show who is involved at a glance.
Manage school events, the practice schedule, dentist appointments, vacations—whatever you need!
Others in the family stay up to date with automatic notifications and agenda emails.
Share the grocery list, to-dos, recipes, and more.
Available from any mobile device or computer.
Named a “must-have app” by the TODAY show!
Have you been living in CHAOS?
FlyLady is here to help you get your home organized! She teaches you to eliminate your clutter and establish simple routines for getting your home clean!
Who is FlyLady?
Marla Cilley is The FlyLady. She does not fly a plane! To keep a long story short, Marla loves to teach people to flyfish. That is how she got the name — FlyLady. Marla is a SHE (Sidetracked Home Executive). This system saved her life and continues to bless her. When Marla found the http://www.SHEsintouch.com website years ago, she needed a user name for the forums. Everyone was trying to help her come up with one. When they found out that she loved to flyfish and she taught it at a local college, they came up with “FlyLady.” It is because of Marla’s SHEness that she can now teach others. On December 7, 1999, someone asked Marla for help, and the FlyLady mentoring group began. This group has always been her gift to whoever joined. All Marla ever wanted to do was help people.
And now, the name, FlyLady, has come to mean so much more. One of her members came up with a great acronym for it: Finally Loving Yourself (FLY) – this is the gift that FlyLady wants you to receive. It was only after Marla learned out how to “FLY” that she was able to become the person of her dreams.
She has three rules that she lives by:
Don’t sweat the small stuff; what doesn’t matter, doesn’t matter.
Laugh everyday. Even if it is at yourself.
Love like there is no tomorrow.
Oscar Senior stands by care organizations, such as nursing homes, assisted living, homecare, and government agencies. Our digital care platform fosters communication, coordination, and info sharing. Through real-time video calls and messaging, we empower caregivers for exceptional care, while also combating loneliness and isolation for individuals. Oscar Senior’s mission is to reshape care dynamics, benefiting both individuals and organizations alike.
Available on your computer via their website and in the Apple and Google Play stores.
Silk & Sonder
At Silk + Sonder, we believe in the power of unlocking the real version of you to maximize your full potential. Together, we’ll help you discover who you are, where you want to go, and how to get there – one page, one habit, one ritual at a time.
From the CEO:
Despite having it all on paper, I was waking up overwhelmed, under fulfilled, and anxious. I wanted a tool that blended reflection, intention, and action to bring my dreams to life.
Many of us wait until something unexpected happens — a heartbreak, the loss of a loved one, a health scare, a career rut, a global pandemic — to take charge of our lives? Instead of approaching our mental wellness reactively, what if we prioritized it proactively.
I spent thousands of hours researching cognitive behavioral therapy, positive psychology, bullet journaling, and personal development research to create a magical self-care experience rooted in science and powered by community.
I deeply believe that when we show up for ourselves, we show up better for our colleagues, our family, our community, and our world.
Join me – I can’t wait to meet you.
xo,
Meha
Founder & CEO of Silk + Sonder
Virtual Assistant
All In Order With Carrie
Having your loved one’s important information organized and easily accessible brings peace of mind. If you need help organizing digital files or just finding files buried on their computer, I can help! I’ll log in remotely to sort and rename files, get passwords documented, and set up spreadsheets to keep details in order. I work with both Microsoft and Apple operating systems. I can also set up a Google Drive account because it’s a great way to share information between family members—stories, pictures, and more gathered in one place for everyone to see. I’m Carrie McWherter from All In Order With Carrie. Let’s set up a time to see if I can help.
Carrie McWherter
All In Order With Carrie
Virtual Assistant
Free monthly workshop: Dream. Plan. Achieve.
Leave the workshop with a plan for how to achieve your goals!
Professional Organizing for Caregivers
Feeling overwhelmed? Caregiving is a rewarding but demanding job. Let’s face it, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day. Decluttering and organizing can create a calmer, safer environment for your loved one, but it can feel like a daunting task on top of everything else.
Life Organized With Michelle can help by creating functional spaces which can include:
Decluttering living areas and bedrooms to minimize clutter and tripping hazards.
Organizing frequently used items for easy reach and accessibility.
Unpacking and organizing belongings after a move, ensuring a smooth transition.
We will provide benefits for you and for your loved one! By creating a more organized environment, you’ll not only reduce stress and free up valuable time, but you’ll also:
Improve safety by minimizing clutter and ensuring easy access to essential items.
Enhance independence by allowing your loved one to find what they need more easily.
Reduce frustration for both you and your loved one by creating a calmer and more manageable space.
Invest in peace of mind. Let Life Organized With Michelle handle the organizing tasks, so you can focus on what matters most – spending quality time with your loved one.
Contact us today at (910) 620-7109 to schedule a free 60-minute consultation! We can discuss your specific needs and create a plan to create a more organized and supportive environment for your loved one.