Senior Matters Podcast

In this episode of Senior Matters, host and estate planning attorney Mark E. Wight explores how the funeral industry is evolving. Guest Brian Owings of Summers Funeral Home, shares how families are moving away from traditional funerals, choosing personalized memorials, alternative body disposition methods like terramation, and creative keepsakes such as memorial stones or diamonds. They also dive...

What really happens after someone dies, and why does it feel so overwhelming for families? In this Senior Matters Podcast episode, Mark E. Wight, host and estate planning attorney and Brian Ownings. Funeral Director of Summers Funeral Home, pull back the curtain on the funeral industry to explain the professional standards, legal requirements, and operational processes that begin immediately after...

Staying current on taxes is about more than meeting a deadline. In this episode of the Senior Matters Podcast, Dean Hahn, CPA, and Mark Wight, host and estate planning attorney, breaks down why timely tax payments matter, how penalties and interest can escalate quickly, and what taxpayers can do to avoid unnecessary surprises. The discussion covers estimated tax payments, proper withholding, choos...

Tax season does not start in February, and it certainly does not end on April 15. In this episode of the Senior Matters Podcast, Mark Wight sits down with Idaho CPA Dean Hahn to explain why proactive tax planning is one of the most overlooked pillars of long-term estate and financial planning. Dean breaks down the reality of today's tax landscape, including why most tax decisions for a given year...

In this episode of the Senior Matters Podcast, Idaho State Senator Melissa Wintrow with host Mark W. Wight breaks down how recent Idaho tax cuts and budget decisions are directly impacting seniors, healthcare access, Medicaid services, and long-term care across the state. Senator Wintrow explains how over $453 million in tax cuts have reduced funding for essential public services including healthc...

Moving to Idaho can be a lifestyle upgrade but for many families, it can also be a legal and financial opportunity. Estate plans created in other states often need updates after relocation, and Idaho's laws can be more favorable when structured correctly. Idaho estate planning attorneys Mark E. Wight and Carly Ward explain how Idaho's community property rules differ from those of many states, why...

Is your money really as safe and effective as you think? In this episode of the Senior Matters Podcast, estate planning attorney Mark E. Wight and financial professional Justin Walker examine the growing risks of relying solely on traditional bank accounts in an era of rising national debt. With the federal government carrying nearly $38 trillion in debt, questions are emerging about long-term gua...

Most Americans assume retirement will be supported by Social Security, Medicare, and family but today's financial reality tells a very different story. In this episode of the Senior Matters Podcast, estate planning attorney Mark E. Wight and financial professional Justin Walker take a candid look at the modern retirement landscape. They discuss why most retirees have far less saved than they'll ne...

In this episode of the Senior Matters Podcast, estate planning attorney Mark E. Wight explores the critical importance of regularly reviewing your estate plan. Mark highlights why life changes, such as marriages, divorces, or welcoming new family members, and legislative updates, can render existing plans outdated. Do you want to disinherit a loved one accidentally? He provides actionable advice o...

In this heartfelt episode, Mark welcomes Chef and culinary storyteller Bill Poulson to explore how food becomes a powerful part of our family legacy. Bill shares warm memories of simple childhood meals like Velveeta cheese and grilled sandwiches that created a sense of comfort, safety, and belonging. Today, he's preserving those traditions by digitizing his mother's 40-year-old, hand-typed cookboo...

Conservatorship & Guardianship: The Living Probate Nobody Plans For In this Senior Matters episode, hosts Mark Wight and Carly Ward discuss the urgent need for proactive estate planning to avoid court-imposed conservatorship and guardianship. Known as "living probate" in Idaho, these processes strip individuals of financial and personal decision-making authority when prior planning hasn't been don...

This week on the Senior Matters Podcast, host Mark E. Wight sits down with Idaho artist and writer Rosemary Leal, whose lifelong passion for writing, poetry, and art has become a powerful way to preserve her family's history. Rosemary shares how creativity has helped her honor the people, places, and moments that shaped her life and how simple, everyday habits can help anyone begin capturing their...

Are you an Idaho veteran, a family member, or someone interested in understanding the full range of benefits available to those who have served? In this powerful episode of the Senior Matters Podcast, recorded in November 2024, estate planning attorney Mark E. Wight sits down with Mitzie Cheldelin from the Idaho Division of Veterans Services to explore the numerous programs and resources available...

This episode is Part 2 of a 2-part Medicare Series on the Senior Matters Podcast, hosted by Mark E. Wight with guest Chad McDonald, Medicare Specialist of CRM Group, LLC. Now, in Part 2, Medicare Premiums and Enrollment Changes, Mark continues the conversation with Medicare expert Chad McDonald to break down what's happening for Idaho seniors in 2026. Medicare Part B premiums are increasing from $...

Medicare isn't one-size-fits-all, and every year, the rules, costs, and coverage options change. In this episode of Senior Matters, host Mark E. Wight welcomes Medicare specialist Chad McDonald to break down what's new for 2026 and why it's more important than ever to review your plan with a licensed agent. Together, they cover: Key Medicare changes for the coming year, including rising Part B ded...

In the first episode of the Senior Matters Podcast, estate planning attorney Mark E. Wight, presented by Idaho Estate Planning, tackles the basics of estate planning as part of Estate Planning Month. Mark explains why proactive planning is crucial, covering topics like probate, intestate succession (dying without a will), and common challenges faced by blended families and unmarried couples. With...

In this episode of Senior Matters Podcast, host Mark E. Wight sits down with guest facilitator Amy Pence-Brown of Boise Death Café to explore the global Death Café movement. This grassroots initiative provides a safe and informal space where people gather to talk openly about mortality over tea, snacks, and conversation. From its roots in Switzerland and the UK to Boise's thriving local chapter, D...

In this episode of Senior Matters, host Mark E. Wight talks with Lisa Underwood from Aging Strong, a non-profit supported by JANNUS , which has served the Treasure Valley for over 50 years. Lisa shares how the Legacy Corps Caregiver Support Program provides meaningful companionship to military families and isolated older adults throughout the Treasure Valley. This program is especially important f...

In this Senior Matters Podcast episode, Mark E. Wight speaks with Jim and Linda Cornwell, a couple who approached aging with thoughtful planning. They are among the minority of Americans who have a written estate plan and use it as a foundation for broader life decisions. Their story encompasses a wide range of topics, including managing property across state lines, deciding when to relocate, and...

This episode is Part 2 of a two-part series. In this follow-up episode of Senior Matters, host Mark E. Wight and attorney Carly Ward dig deeper into the probate process in Idaho. They cover how probate protects against unknown debts, why personal representatives can be personally liable, and how to close an estate formally or informally. You will also learn practical ways to avoid probate through...

In this episode of Senior Matters, host Mark E. Wight is joined by estate planning attorney Carly Ward to explain the probate process and why it matters even if you already have a will. They cover what happens when someone dies without a plan, why some assets still go through Idaho probate, and how to navigate court appointments, notice requirements, deadlines, and small estate affidavits. Learn t...

If you've ever asked a loved one to repeat themselves or noticed your parents withdrawing from conversations, this Senior Matters episode is for you. In this episode of Senior Matters, host and estate planning attorney Mark E. Wight talks with the Alzheimer's Association and from the Treasure Valley Hearing and Balance about the growing connection between hearing loss and memory issues. They share...

In this heartfelt episode of the Senior Matters Podcast, host Mark E. Wight interviews Sue Paul, co-founder of the Warhawk Air Museum—a historical landmark in the Treasure Valley dedicated to honoring veterans and preserving military history. What started as a love for restoring WWII fighter planes has become one of Idaho's most impactful institutions. Sue shares the museum's beginnings, its deep...

Host and Estate Planning attorney Mark E. Wight explores two of the most important estate planning tools—wills and trusts. Learn why probate exists, how it works in Idaho, and how trusts can help your family avoid court, be more protected, and maintain privacy. Whether you want to protect your family, avoid delays, give your family a wonderful gift or understand your options, this episode gives yo...

In this episode of the Senior Matters Podcast, host Mark Wight sits down with Kathleen Reynolds, a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing older adults today: transitioning out of a long-time family home. With compassion, humor, and decades of experience, Kathleen shares how she helps seniors and their families navigate the emotional, physical, and...