Episode 042: Estate planning is one of those topics that many people know they should address, yet far too many families put it off until it's too late.

In Part One of my three-part conversation with estate attorney Iran Harvell, we focus on the foundational estate planning documents that every adult should understand and have in place.

Iran serves as the Executive Director of Estate & Financial Planning at Hightower Advisors and has spent her career helping families navigate some of life's most important legal, financial, and legacy decisions. What I appreciate most about Iran is her ability to make complex topics simple and approachable.

In this episode, we discuss the key documents that help protect you and the people you love, including wills, durable powers of attorney, healthcare powers of attorney, living wills, HIPAA releases, and more. Iran explains what each document does, why it matters, and the potential consequences families may face when these documents aren't in place.

We also discuss when people should create these documents, how often they should be reviewed, whether online or AI-generated documents are sufficient, and the simple first steps anyone can take to get started.

One of my biggest takeaways from this conversation is that estate planning isn't really about documents—it's about people. These tools help provide clarity during difficult times and can be one of the greatest gifts you leave for your loved ones.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The essential estate planning documents every adult should have
• What happens when someone passes away without a will
• Why powers of attorney are just as important as wills
• The difference between healthcare directives and living wills
• How HIPAA releases can help families avoid unnecessary complications
• Whether online and AI-generated documents are enough
• When to create, review, and update your estate plan
• The first step families can take to get started today

Whether you're just beginning your estate planning journey or looking to review what you already have in place, this episode provides practical guidance to help protect the people you love.