In a recent episode of Health Futures: Taking Stock in You, host Bob Roth sat down with Attorney Caleb Lihn and licensed social worker Jenny Krulewich of the Peoria, Arizona–based Lihn Law Group for a conversation that went far beyond legal paperwork.
At its core, the discussion was about something much bigger: how families prepare for life’s most difficult moments, and what happens when they don’t.
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From Personal Crisis to Professional Purpose
For Caleb Lihn, elder law is deeply personal.
Before launching his firm, he was working in a traditional legal role when life changed quickly. His mother began experiencing dementia, while his youngest daughter faced serious medical complications at birth.
“I’m a lawyer, but I don’t know how to provide support to my own family. What good is that?” he recalled thinking at the time.
That moment reshaped his career.
Since then, Lihn has focused exclusively on helping families navigate those same challenges, with a clear goal: “If someone connects with us that was in my shoes… they don’t have to feel those same feelings of overwhelm or doubt that I did.”
A More Holistic Way to Help Families
That mission is also what led Lihn Law Group to expand beyond traditional legal services.
Jenny Krulewich, a licensed social worker and client care advocate, helps bridge the gap between legal planning and real-life care needs.
“Our life care planning offers people a holistic approach, blending together legal advocacy, care planning, and care coordination,” she explained.
Her work includes everything from in-home assessments to helping families navigate long-term care and Medicaid planning. It’s about meeting people where they are—often in moments of stress or uncertainty.
“I’ve always really had a passion to help other families who are struggling,” Krulewich said, reflecting on her own experience watching her grandparents navigate dementia. “Being able to support others going through similar situations really fills my cup.”
The Biggest Mistake: Waiting Too Long
If there’s one message Lihn emphasized, it’s that most families wait too long to plan.
“That’s the biggest thing,” he said. “Waiting too long, trying to take shortcuts… we see a lot of mistakes come that way.”
In many cases, those delays lead to unnecessary legal battles or complicated court processes that could have been avoided.
“We can look at a lot of these cases and say this could have been resolved, or eliminated, had there been proper planning,” he added.
The Biggest Mistake: Waiting Too Long
If there’s one message Lihn emphasized, it’s that most families wait too long to plan.
“That’s the biggest thing,” he said. “Waiting too long, trying to take shortcuts… we see a lot of mistakes come that way.”
Those delays can lead to costly legal battles, unnecessary stress, and outcomes families never intended.
“We can look at a lot of these cases and say this could have been resolved, or eliminated, had there been proper planning,” he added.
Why a Will Isn’t Enough
One of the most common misconceptions is that a will covers everything.
“A will is wonderful for saying, ‘This is what I want to happen to my things when I’m gone,’” Lihn explained. “That’s all it is. It’s an instruction manual.”
But it doesn’t avoid probate or provide protection while someone is still living, two critical gaps that often catch families off guard.
Creating a Roadmap for the Hardest Moments
At its core, planning is about making decisions before a crisis forces them.
“All you’re doing is saying, ‘If I’m ever unable to make these decisions, here’s who I trust to do that for me,’” Lihn said, referring to powers of attorney and advance directives.
“You kind of put that on a shelf, hope it’s never needed—but if that situation comes up, you want to have it.”
And beyond the legal mechanics, the impact is deeply personal.
“It’s an incredible gift to your loved ones,” he added. “You’re giving them a roadmap.”
Bringing the “Circle of Care” Together
That same philosophy extends beyond the firm’s day-to-day work.
Lihn Law Group recently launched its Elder Care and Legal Symposium, an annual event designed not for clients, but for the professionals who support them. The 2026 symposium will take place Thursday, April 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Glendale Civic Center in Glendale, Arizona.
“I call it the circle of care,” Lihn said. “We’re all in this sort of circle together.”
The symposium brings together providers across the aging services space, from attorneys and care managers to home care professionals and clinicians. ,for a full day of shared learning and collaboration.
“It’s about providing more holistic support and resources to those of us who provide care to older adults and their families,” he explained.
The idea was born out of a gap Lihn saw firsthand: while professionals often work side by side, they rarely train or learn together.
“Everything is in a silo,” he said. “You work in your home care silo, we work in our law firm silo… and there’s not a lot of cross-training.”
The symposium aims to change that.
“There’s nothing like it,” Lihn added. “How about we all meet together once a year?”
By creating space for collaboration, the goal is simple: better-informed providers, stronger partnerships, and ultimately better outcomes for families navigating some of life’s most difficult moments.
A Conversation Worth Having
What makes this episode resonate is its honesty.
Aging, illness, and caregiving are not easy topics, but avoiding them doesn’t make them go away.
Instead, as this conversation makes clear, planning ahead can transform uncertainty into clarity, and stress into peace of mind.
Because when the unexpected happens, the families who are best prepared aren’t the ones with the most resources.
They’re the ones who took the time to plan.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Health Futures: Taking Stock in You to hear more from Attorney Caleb Lihn and licensed social worker Jenny Krulewich on elder law, life care planning, and how families can better prepare for the unexpected.
📌 Learn more about Health Futures: Taking Stock in You
📌 Learn more about Cypress HomeCare Solutions or call (602) 833-5617
📝 This content is for educational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice.
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