Wills, Women & Wealth Podcast with Attorney Elsa W. Smith | Empowering Women Through Estate Planning

Episode 63 : In this encore episode, we revisit a topic that continues to resonate with listeners: Problems Resulting From Jointly Held Assets With Your Children . As with all estate planning, every family's situation is unique. Children can play valuable roles in your estate plan—but joint ownership of assets can lead to serious, unintended consequences. The issues discussed in this episode are b...

Episode 62 – Encore: Are You Transferring Generational Wealth or Generational Trauma? In this encore presentation of one of our most impactful episodes, Attorney Elsa W. Smith takes you on a powerful journey—one that challenges conventional notions of legacy and invites you to reimagine what it truly means to pass something on. Through the lens of estate planning, Elsa shares how her work with fam...

Special Guest: Mara Dowler , Owner of Bluebird Home Organizing Original Air Date: March 13, 2024 Back by popular demand! In this encore episode, we revisit a powerful conversation with Mara Dowler , a Platinum Level KonMari Consultant and Certified Organize 365® Paper Solution Organizer. Mara shares how her journey with decluttering changed her life—and how she now helps others transform their hom...

🎙️ Episode 60 (Encore): Second Marriages & Probate – The Complexities of Dying Without a Will We're bringing back one of our most impactful episodes from the Probate Series —a must-listen for anyone in a blended family or second marriage. In this encore presentation, Attorney Elsa W. Smith explores the legal and emotional complexities that arise when someone passes away without a will—especial...

Episode 59: In Honor of the Women Who Raised Us: Legacy, Lessons & Love After Mother’s Day When we think of legacy, we often imagine money, property, or family heirlooms. But the true meaning of legacy runs much deeper — it’s the love, lessons, and resilience passed down through generations. In this heartfelt episode, Maryland Estate Planning Attorney Elsa W. Smith offers a powerful reflection...

Episode 58: What My Clients Have Taught Me About Final Disposition Instructions — And Why Yours Matter Too When most people think about estate planning, they picture wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. But there’s one deeply meaningful part that’s often overlooked: final disposition instructions — what happens to your body, your ceremony, your farewell. In this powerful episode, Maryland Estate...

Ep. 57 (Encore) – SHOW HIGHLIGHTS In this encore episode (original air date Mar. 8, 2023), we’re revisiting a powerful conversation with Maureen Zappala – Impostor Syndrome Expert, Keynote Speaker, and Former NASA Engineer. We discussed: • How she coped with impostor syndrome while working at NASA, • How to identify and manage impostor syndrome, • Her efforts to encourage more women into STEM care...

Episode 56: Navigating Elder Care – The Benefits of an Aging Life Care Manager March is Women's History Month , a time to honor the resilience and leadership of women—including those who dedicate their careers to guiding families through the complexities of elder care . In this episode, we explore how Aging Life Care Managers (ALCMs) provide invaluable support for aging adults and their loved...

March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the resilience, leadership, and voices of women who have shaped history and continue to break barriers today. In that spirit, we're bringing back a special encore presentation of an insightful conversation with Dr. Venessa Perry, organizational psychologist, leadership development consultant, and thought leader. Originally aired on Octobe...

Episode 54: Wealth & Legacy Conversations – A Black Excellence Special In this special episode of Wills, Women & Wealth, Maryland Estate Planning Attorney Elsa W. Smith highlights the power of preparation, protection, and planning as key pillars of Black Excellence. As we approach the end of Black History Month, this episode features highlights from powerful conversations Attorney Smith ha...

Episode 53: Making History Through Estate Planning - Black History Month Edition In this special Black History Month episode, Maryland Estate Planning Attorney Elsa W. Smith celebrates the powerful legacy of Black families and empowers you to create a lasting impact through thoughtful estate planning. Whether you're starting from scratch or revisiting your plans, this episode explores the importan...

Episode 52: Overcoming 7 Estate Planning Roadblocks at the Start of the Year Start the new year with confidence by tackling common challenges that prevent you from taking charge of your estate planning. Maryland Estate Planning Attorney Elsa W. Smith shares practical strategies to help you overcome the most frequent roadblocks—whether it's confusion, procrastination, or fear of the unknown. This i...

Episode 51: Reflect, Review, Reset—What You Must Do Before January 31st Start 2025 with clarity and purpose by taking the necessary steps to align your estate plan with your life and goals. Maryland Estate Planning Attorney Elsa W. Smith guides you through her actionable "Reflect, Review, Reset" framework to help you assess your current plan, update what’s necessary, and prepare for a successful y...

This episode is part of our Best Of series, featuring impactful conversations that inspire and empower women to safeguard their health, wealth, and legacies. Originally aired on May 3, 2023, this powerful episode explores the maternal and infant health disparities that disproportionately impact Black women, with racial inequalities contributing to devastating outcomes during and after childbirth....

Topic:  Lasting Legacies: How To Create A Thriving Multi-Generational Family Culture Special Guest: Marcella Mollon-Williams, Behavioral Financial Advisor™ As we approach the 2-year anniversary of Wills, Women & Wealth with Attorney Elsa W. Smith , we're celebrating with a Best Of Series , highlighting some of our most impactful episodes. In this episode, we revisit our insightful conversation...

Episode 48: Empowering Women Through Community | A Conversation with Peggy Morris of Sisters 4 Sisters Network, Inc. In this inspiring replay from October 19, 2022, we sit down with Peggy Morris, President and a Founder of Sisters 4 Sisters Network, Inc., to explore the powerful impact of women supporting women. From its beginnings with four women committed to entrepreneurship, this network has gr...

Episode 47: Mental Health & Wealth | A Conversation with Dr. Paula Anderson In this special replay of a June 2021 conversation, Maryland Estate Planning Attorney Elsa W. Smith is joined by Dr. Paula Anderson for an empowering discussion on the critical connection between mental health and wealth. Together, Attorney Smith and Dr. Paula dive into the topic of "Mental Health and Wealth" to explor...

Episode 46: Probate Story Series: Planning Together, Navigating Probate with Ease  In this final installment of the *Probate Story Series*, Maryland Estate Planning Attorney Elsa W. Smith shares a heartfelt and enlightening story about the peace of mind that comes from thoughtful, advance planning. Join Elsa as she tells the story of Jessica and Richard, a couple who planned their estate together...

Episode 45: (Probate Series)   Agatha’s Story: Family, Feuds, and Final Wishes: A Probate Success Story In this episode of our Probate Series, we celebrate the inspiring journey of Agatha, a woman whose meticulous estate planning truly exemplified her love for her family. Through her thoughtful preparations, she set up a strong foundation to protect her loved ones. However, even the best-laid plan...

Episode 44: (Probate Series) The Overwhelmed DIY Personal Representative: A Cautionary Tale In this episode, we continue our probate series with a cautionary tale about a personal representative who tries to navigate probate without professional help. ✔️Learn how to make it easy for loved ones to find your assets and avoid probate delays, ✔️Understand the importance of meeting probate deadlines, ✔...

Episode 43: (REQUESTED REPLAY_Original air date Feb. 08, 2023) In this episode, we chat with Martha Underwood, Founder and CEO of PRISMM - a company that provides a digital vault for your most important documents.    We discussed: •Challenges she faced as a Black woman navigating a predominantly white tech space, •How her technology background distinguishes Martha from competitors in the digital v...

 Ep. 42: Highlights Probate Series Topic: Second Marriages & Probate: The Complexities of Dying Without a Will From this episode you'll learn: ✔️Why it’s crucial to have a will to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes, not state laws. ✔️How state laws dictate asset distribution when there's no will, which may not align with your intentions. ✔️How the absence of a...

Ep. 41: Highlights Topic: Understanding Specific Bequests: Why They're Essential In Your Will From this episode you'll: ✔️Gain a clear understanding of what specific bequests are, including how they differ from general bequests, and why they are an essential component of a will. ✔️Understand the need for precision in specific bequests, explaining how detailed descriptions help ensure that...

Ep. 40: Highlights Topic: Estate Planning Before and After A Divorce (Part 2 of Series) You'll: ✔️Learn the importance of revising your business succession plan to reflect post-divorce circumstances, ✔️Understand how to update ownership and distribution plans for valuable personal property, ✔️Gain insights on reviewing and updating your charitable trusts and giving plans, ✔️Learn strategies fo...

Ep. 39: Highlights Topic: Estate Planning Before and After A Divorce You'll learn: ✔️The importance of reviewing and updating beneficiaries on financial accounts before a divorce. ✔️How prenuptial agreements can protect your assets and simplify estate planning. ✔️The need to update power of attorney designations to someone other than your current spouse. ✔️The importance of revising your will...