Estate planning rarely feels urgent… until life forces it to be. Too often, families postpone these decisions because they’re uncomfortable, complicated, or easy to ignore. But when illness, loss, or sudden responsibility arrives, the absence of a clear plan can turn grief into chaos, leaving loved ones to make impossible decisions at the worst possible time.

In this episode, Dana Gliniecki shares what it looks like when estate planning moves from theory to reality. After years of thoughtful preparation following a major business exit, Dana unexpectedly found herself relying on those plans when her husband passed away. She offers a rare, firsthand perspective on how preparation (or lack thereof) shapes emotional capacity, family dynamics, and decision-making during profound loss. Listen in to learn why estate planning is less about wealth and more about responsibility, clarity, and care.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why estate planning decisions are harder to make during grief and loss.
• How a clear estate plan reduces stress for surviving spouses and families.
• What happens when trustees must make financial decisions after a death.
• How estate plans should change as children become adults and start families.
• Why family communication is critical to avoiding conflict after a parent passes.
• The difference between managing an estate and protecting family relationships.
• How planning ahead creates clarity and stability during emotionally overwhelming times.

Ideas Worth Sharing:

• “At the end of the day, we're all gonna die. You'd rather be in charge of how everything goes down.” - Dana Gliniecki
• “You either do the hard stuff upfront and things go relatively smoothly, or you do nothing, and you make it much harder on yourselves, and other people potentially end up making very important decisions for you.” - Dana Gliniecki
• “You have to ultimately live with the consequences, and you don't get to say at the end, ‘Well, I didn't know.’ Well, that's on you.” - Dana Gliniecki

Resources:

• Dana Gliniecki: LinkedIn
• Genevieve George: Website | LinkedIn
• The Community Foundation for McHenry County
• Impact100 Global
• Marguerite H. Griffin | Northern Trust
• Women & Money by Suze Orman
• Giving 2.0: Transform Your Giving and Our World by Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen

Connect with Us:

If you're ready to stop avoiding your finances and start building the future you deserve, schedule a free call with me at pelicanfinancialplanning.com and let’s create your personalized financial plan together.

And if you want ongoing guidance, clarity, and confidence as you grow your wealth, subscribe to our newsletter for financial insights delivered right to your inbox.

Estate planning is often treated as a box to check: documents signed, files stored away, and the assumption that everything will work as intended. But when plans aren’t communicated, updated, or properly executed, families are left facing confusion, conflict, and costly consequences during moments that are already emotionally overwhelming.

In this episode, David Darby, CFA, managing director of the investment strategy team at Farther, shares real stories from decades of experience helping families unwind estate planning mistakes after it’s too late. He explains how unfunded trusts, outdated documents, and lack of coordination between advisors can turn good intentions into years of legal and emotional strain. Listen in as David breaks down what actually goes wrong behind the scenes, how thoughtful execution creates clarity instead of chaos, and why proactive planning is one of the most meaningful gifts you can leave your family.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why having estate documents doesn’t guarantee they’ll work as intended.
• How unfunded or outdated trusts can trigger costly legal battles.
• The role communication plays between advisors, attorneys, and families.
• When life events should prompt an estate plan review.
• Why healthcare directives are just as critical as financial documents.
• How advisors help reduce administrative burdens during times of grief.
• What clarity looks like when estate planning is done well.

Ideas Worth Sharing:

• “The value-add of a good advisor is that we give people time in their lives by taking care of the minutia that they probably don't want to have anything to do with. They just want to know that it's getting done.” - David Darby
• “As you get more experienced in life and in our business, you'll see clients that have health issues, and I think we tend to forget that our clients are people first. And that when you have a health issue, it's almost the only thing you can think about.” - David Darby
• “The first time you're probably looking at estate planning is [when] we get married or have kids, and then as they get older, we may be updating it.” - David Darby

Resources:

• David Darby: Website | LinkedIn | Email: david@farther.com | Contact: (347)-385-8572
• Genevieve George: Website | LinkedIn

Connect with Us:

If you're ready to stop avoiding your finances and start building the future you deserve, schedule a free call with me at pelicanfinancialplanning.com and let’s create your personalized financial plan together.

And if you want ongoing guidance, clarity, and confidence as you grow your wealth, subscribe to our newsletter for financial insights delivered right to your inbox.

Homeowners across the country are hitting pause on moving, holding tight to low-interest mortgages while still craving updated, functional spaces. With renovation demand rising and project costs climbing, understanding the legal side of home improvement has never mattered more.

In this episode, construction attorney Jared Gillman breaks down the legal risks most homeowners overlook. He explains how remodel projects go sideways, why due diligence matters, how lien rights actually work, and the contract protections every homeowner should have in place long before demo day begins.

Listen in as Jared shares the practical steps that help homeowners avoid costly surprises and how to spot red flags before they become expensive problems.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why today’s interest-rate environment is pushing more homeowners toward renovation rather than relocation.
• The most common disputes in construction projects and where they originate.
• How to vet a contractor before signing anything.
• What an owner’s representative does and why it can save homeowners time, money, and stress.
• How lien laws work and how to avoid the risk of double payment.
• The right way to structure payment schedules and track subcontractor releases.
• When permits, licenses, and insurance become critical protections.
• Why change orders create budget surprises and how to manage them proactively.

Ideas Worth Sharing:

• “​So much of [a dispute] can be adequately addressed at the front end of a project with having the right contract in place, having realistic expectations, and also with doing your due diligence on a contractor.” - Jared Gillman
• “If you go ahead and put 50% upfront or 70% upfront, and… the contractor flakes on you for whatever reason… you're gonna put yourself in a bind.” - Jared Gillman
• “Owner’s reps are excellent for everyone.” - Jared Gillman

Resources:

• Jared Gillman: Website | LinkedIn | Email: jared@gillmanlawpa.com
• Genevieve George: Website | LinkedIn
• Construction Law
• Construction Liens

Connect with Us:

If you're ready to stop avoiding your finances and start building the future you deserve, schedule a free call with me at pelicanfinancialplanning.com and let’s create your personalized financial plan together.

And if you want ongoing guidance, clarity, and confidence as you grow your wealth, subscribe to our newsletter for financial insights delivered right to your inbox.