Meet Louanne Flanagan Caspar of Executrixie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Louanne Flanagan Caspar.

Hi Louanne, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 
In July of 2007, I stood in my kitchen holding my newborn daughter and opened up an envelope from my parents’ estate administration attorney. The letter confirmed the closing of my parent’s estate and concluded an end to an arduous period of my life involving: grieving the unexpected, early losses of both parents, much travel, twists and turns as I closed various accounts and the maintenance of their home located two hours away from my own. While relief poured over me, “Could there have been an easier way to have navigated this path?” I asked myself. And this question led to a resolution on how could I transform my experience into lessons and service to others. 

Lesson One: Discuss End of Life Decisions with Family and Make Formal with a Will and Advance Directives. 

My mother was a lively and entertaining woman whose musical talent was revered by all who knew her. A prodigy at the piano, she entertained the local community of Northeastern Pennsylvania and in particular, at the bar founded by her father. She rarely was held back from any challenge except for a horrible headache she suffered in January of 1999. That headache was symptomatic of a cerebral aneurysm, which led to her collapse, being put on life support, and the family’s ultimate, painful decision to remove her from that support after it was determined there was no hope left for recovery. She was 53. Looking back, I have wondered whether a prior discussion of her wishes could have made the difficult decision of removing her from life support a little less painful. 

Lesson Two: Even with Advance Directives and a Will in Place, Estate Administration is Time- Consuming and Unpredictable. 

My father, with the help of an estate planning attorney and dear family friend, completed all necessary paperwork after a diagnosis of advanced colorectal cancer in 2003. Despite nearly kicking cancer to the curb with radiation, chemotherapy, and surgeries, a heart attack claimed his life in December of 2003. He was 60. In January of 2004, I was appointed executor and this responsibility consumed the next three and half years of my life as I managed being a new mother, being full-time employed, and living two hours away from the family home. I used surgical precision in organizing decades of paperwork, closing accounts, paying bills, and dividing time between my personal life and role as executor. But I was exhausted and overwhelmed, especially when little surprises popped up like a renewal for a safety deposit box (where is the key?) and emergency home repairs. Ultimately, the role of executor reduced my involvement in my young marriage and family, social life, and recreational activities. In retrospect, I wish I could have outsourced some of my responsibilities. 

I founded Executrixie to ease the burden for executors after the death of a loved one by simplifying the numerous tasks associated with estate administration and to reinforce the necessary support systems required to get the job done. As an After Loss Professional, my work and resources have allowed my clients to spend more time with their families, to minimize time away from work, and most importantly, to concentrate on their grief. Additionally, I became certified to teach Willow End of Life Education and Planning workshops so space can be created for families to discuss what matters most to them concerning end-of-life matters. I have guided people to articulate things like who and what matter most to them, their hopes and fears about their inevitable death and dying, and their 3-5 core values that guide their living and will guide their dying. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Most people believe End of Life Planning involves only the legal aspects like writing the will and advance directives. Don’t get me wrong; the legal piece is absolutely critical! The field of ‘After Loss Professional’ is an emerging one and can be hard to define. After Loss Professionals work hand-in-hand with related professions to provide the best support to our clients and offer logistical and administrative services to clients who have experienced a death, helping them manage tasks and responsibilities that can be overwhelming during a difficult time. 

Starting a business is more than just an idea. When I first envisioned Executrixie, I knew little to nothing about business. I enrolled in Launch Apex (https://www.launchapex.org/) so I could learn the foundations of running a small business and create a business plan. The information and support have been invaluable to me. 

We live in a death-denying culture, and it can be difficult to engage people in workshops around end-of-life. My hope is to remove this fear and to normalize the conversation around death and dying. 

My fear of mortality. The early deaths of my parents are like a dark cloud over me, and I want to be present for my family as long as I am able. I strive to eat well and engage in physical activity as often as possible. In my late 30s, I started running, and since then, I have run numerous half marathons and completed the New York City Marathon in November of 2022. I am now training for the Bank of America Marathon in Chicago this coming October. 

We’ve been impressed with Executrixie LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I educate, equip, and empower families as they navigate the numerous, complex administrative tasks associated with end-of-life planning and estate administration. Even when you may think you have done everything you can with having paperwork in place and working with trusted advisors, like an estate attorney and financial advisor, there remains many unexpected responsibilities after a loved one passes away. I provide value to my clients through classes, direct services, and support, but most importantly, I give them back their time and peace of mind. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.executrixie.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/executrixiellc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/executrixie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louanneflanagancaspar/

Image Credits
Jenny Midgeley