I never expected my mom to die at 61. I'm grateful we had the hard conversations first.

Jermaine Ee interviewed his mom about her end-of-life wishes. Courtesy of Jermaine Ee Jermaine Ee started talking with his parents after helping them with taxes last year. He learned more about his mom's financial worries, her relationships, and her wishes. When she died six months later, those conversations guided the family. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jermaine Ee, founder of HeirLight. It has been edited for length and clarity. Even when I was living in New York,…