SDSU Extension will host a 10-month program to help you navigate the process of organizing your information and documents and preparing to ask others to serve as your fiduciary. This dynamic program will host four interactive sessions from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CT on January 13, April 14, July 13 and October 13, 2026.
Location
Online via Zoom
Contact
Leacey Brown, SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist
Even if you’re married, you might find yourself needing to ask someone to serve as your fiduciary. A fiduciary is a person with legal authority to act on your behalf in a variety of situations (health care, financial, guardianship, executor, trustee, etc.). This important request comes with significant responsibilities. Your fiduciary will access sensitive information, such as your Social Security number and financial accounts, to make decisions on your behalf, from hiring healthcare services to selling property and paying bills. It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed by the thought of giving someone this level of control in your life.
You may also find yourself stepping into this role for someone else. Perhaps you’re already witnessing a friend or relative facing health challenges or aging-related decline, and the idea of starting that difficult conversation about their care feels daunting. A good way to begin is by sharing your own preferences and plans.
With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, many of us struggle to keep our financial and legal affairs organized. Tackling these matters often means confronting tough topics, like death, which can stir powerful emotions and even family conflicts. It’s easy to feel lost about where to start.
That’s where “Organize This: Legal and Financial Must-haves” comes in! This 10-month program provides a structured environment to help you navigate the process of organizing your information and documents and preparing to ask others to serve as your fiduciary. The program includes four interactive 90-minute sessions via Zoom, spaced three months apart, with homework assignments to guide you through organizing your legal and financial information (e.g., replacing important documents or understanding how to freeze credit).
Our first and final session will feature an elder law attorney as guest speaker. Throughout the program, you’ll learn about the duties and responsibilities of different fiduciaries, compare financial and healthcare POAs, and explore the consequences of not having legal documents in place. By the end of the program, you'll be better equipped to complete your legal documents and engage in honest conversations about the future with those you care about.
This program is endorsed by UNL Extension and NDSU Extension.
Program Objectives
- Compare and contrast legal situations/outcomes related to family caregiving and probate (e.g., incapacitation, dying intestate).
- Define and differentiate the duties and responsibilities of a fiduciary.
- Identify documents and information (e.g., property deed, when and how bills are paid) a fiduciary might need to execute their duties.
- Explain and compare organization strategies for important documents and information.
- Compare strategies to keep personal information and documents secure (e.g., safe/lock box, virtual storage).
- Discuss professional support (e.g., legal aid, financial planners, elder law) available in Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Registration
The cost to participate is $50. This fee covers the cost of purchasing participant materials, printing handouts, and mailing program materials to everyone who registers. If you are unable to afford the $50 fee, there are a limited number of scholarships available. Contact Leacey Brown, SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist, to learn more about the scholarship. Registration is required by December 19, 2025, using the form below.
