About NEXsteps
NEXsteps was created because estate planning often looks complete on paper, but feels very different in practice.
Some people have wills, powers of attorney, and personal directives in place. Many do not. What is common, regardless, is a lack of clarity about how those documents are meant to work in real situations, or what happens when decisions need to be made, information is missing, or family dynamics complicate things.
NEXsteps focuses on the space between planning and reality.
The Gap Between Planning and Reality
I work with individuals, families, and executors who are facing unfamiliar responsibilities and want clearer guidance about what needs to happen and when.
I also work with legal, financial, and tax professionals who want their clients to be better prepared, more organized, and better equipped to work with them through planning and administration.
People are often surprised by how much falls outside formal documents. Executors may not understand the scope of their role. Families may assume that having paperwork in place means decisions will be straightforward. Professionals frequently see clients struggle once planning ends and administration begins.
This is where confusion, delay, and avoidable stress tend to arise.
How I Got Here
I was asked by a close friend to step in and manage her care as her health declined. She had no family she trusted to take on that responsibility. Even with a will, power of attorney, and personal directive in place, the reality of navigating care decisions, systems, and eventual estate administration revealed just how much falls outside formal planning documents.
That experience shaped how I view estate and legacy planning. It made clear that preparation is not just about documents, but about communication, organization, and realistic expectations. That experience changed how I think about estate and legacy planning and continues to guide how I work.
What Makes NEXsteps Different
NEXsteps is not a law firm, or a financial or tax advisory practice. Legal, financial, and tax professionals play an essential role in proper planning and estate administration. My work is designed to complement that expertise by helping people understand how all of those pieces fit together in real life.
As a Certified Executor Advisor, my role is to provide practical, neutral guidance across the full planning and administration process. That includes helping individuals and families prepare for and beyond basic documents, supporting executors through their responsibilities, and ensuring information is organized in a way that is usable when it is needed.
This work often sits at the intersection of legal, financial, and tax planning. While I do not provide legal or tax advice, I help clients understand what information professionals will need, how timing and decisions can affect tax outcomes, and where coordination between advisors is critical.
In addition to planning and advisory support, I can also be formally appointed to act as a Power of Attorney, executor, or third-party administrator, providing impartial, experienced oversight when families or individuals prefer or require a professional in that role.
The approach is structured, neutral, and practical. The goal is not to add complexity, but to make responsibilities clearer, reduce misunderstandings, and help decisions move forward in an organized and informed way.
Who NEXsteps Is For
NEXsteps works with individuals and families who want to approach estate and legacy planning thoughtfully and realistically.
This includes people who are organizing their affairs for the first time, reviewing existing plans, or recognizing that documents alone do not answer all the practical questions that arise over time. The focus is on helping individuals and families understand how planning actually works, how legal, financial, and tax considerations connect, and what information will matter when decisions need to be made.
NEXsteps also supports executors who have taken on, or expect to take on, responsibility for administering an estate. This includes guidance around roles, timelines, expectations, and the practical steps involved before and during estate administration.
Adult children supporting aging parents often reach out when they are trying to understand what planning is in place, what conversations still need to happen, and how to provide support without creating confusion or conflict.
NEXsteps also works closely with legal, financial, and tax professionals whose clients need better preparation, clearer organization, or more realistic expectations. This work helps ensure that professionals receive more complete information, fewer surprises, and clients who are better able to engage in the process. The result is more efficient, effective collaboration and better outcomes for everyone involved.
Some clients start their planning early, wanting to prepare well. Others reach out as circumstances change or responsibilities become more immediate. Both situations are common, and both are appropriate times to seek support.
Planning for Real Life
The process of planning often brings clarity in the present as well. Organizing information, understanding how legal, financial, and tax considerations connect, and thinking through real-life scenarios can provide a clearer picture of what is in place and what still needs attention. That clarity can be helpful not only for the people who may one day rely on that planning, but also for individuals as they make decisions and move forward in their lives today.
At the same time, estate planning is ultimately about what happens if you are unable to speak for yourself due to incapacity or are no longer here. It is about making sure decisions can be carried out as you intend, by people who understand what you wanted and have the information they need to act.
Working With NEXsteps
NEXsteps offers support across a range of planning and estate administration needs, from early-stage organization and preparation to ongoing executor guidance and full estate administration assistance. The level of involvement varies depending on the situation, the complexity involved, and the role I am being asked to play.
Some people are looking for help getting organized and understanding what planning actually involves. Others are acting as executors or attorneys and want guidance as responsibilities arise. In some cases, I am formally appointed to take on that role directly. The work is shaped around what is needed, rather than forcing situations into a predefined package.
If you are unsure where to begin, an initial conversation is often the best place to start. It allows us to talk through your situation, identify where support would be helpful, and determine what the next steps should be.
If what you’ve read here resonates, an initial conversation can help clarify where support might be most useful.
