Plain English help for life’s confusing moments.
JohnExplainsIt · Plain English Help
The Paperwork Nobody
Prepares You For
When a spouse dies, the letters start arriving almost immediately. You don’t have to figure them out alone.
Start with a free 15-minute call
Tell me what you’ve received, what feels most urgent, and we’ll figure out together whether I can help. No commitment required — the call stands on its own.
Book Your Free Call →📅 Calendly · Pick a time that works for you
🔒 Your documents stay private. Never shared with anyone.
You’re grieving. You’re exhausted. And somewhere on the kitchen table there’s a stack of mail from Social Security, the bank, the pension office, an insurance company — maybe more — and every single envelope feels urgent.
“Nobody tells you that losing a spouse means making some of the most important financial decisions of your life at the worst possible moment — while reading letters written by people who forgot that plain English exists.”
I’m John. I help people understand confusing documents in plain English — no jargon, no judgment, no sales pitch. This service exists because surviving spouses deserve a calm, knowledgeable person in their corner who can simply explain what they’re looking at.
The letters people call me about most
If any of these sound familiar, you’re in the right place.
- Social Security survivor benefit noticeWhat you’re entitled to, when it starts, and what decisions need to be made — explained clearly.
- Pension or annuity election formThese often involve irreversible choices made under a deadline. You deserve to understand exactly what you’re choosing before you sign.
- Bank and investment account lettersJoint accounts, individual accounts, beneficiary transfers — they each work differently and the letters don’t explain it well.
- Life insurance claim formsWhat’s required, what the timeline looks like, and what to watch out for.
- Estate and probate lettersEspecially confusing if there’s no will, or if the estate involves property or multiple accounts.
- Creditor and debt lettersNot all debt becomes the surviving spouse’s responsibility — but the letters won’t tell you that.
- Medicare and health insurance changesCoverage that was tied to your spouse may need to change, and the window to act is often short.
Not sure where to start?
Get the free 30-day checklist.
A plain English guide to everything that lands on your table in the weeks after a spouse dies — organized by what needs your attention now and what can wait. Free, no strings attached.
Here’s how it works
Simple, unhurried, and on your schedule.
We talk briefly about your situation — what you’ve received, what feels most urgent, and whether this service is the right fit for you. No obligation, no pressure.
A photo on your phone is fine. A scanned PDF works too. You send me what you’ve received, and I review everything carefully before we talk.
What each letter is. What it’s asking. What’s urgent, what can wait, and what questions you should be asking an attorney or financial advisor. Written summary plus a follow-up call if you’d like one.
Not a to-do list that feels overwhelming — just a clear understanding of where things stand and what the next step actually is.
I’m a plain English explainer — not a licensed attorney, financial planner, or Social Security specialist. My job is to help you understand what you’ve received and identify the right questions to ask the right people. When something needs a professional, I’ll tell you clearly — and that’s a feature, not a limitation.
Services & pricing
Simple, honest, and no commitment until you’re ready. Every paid option starts with a free 15-minute call.
We’ll talk briefly about your situation — what paperwork you’ve received, what feels most urgent, and whether I can help. No obligation, no pressure. Just a conversation to figure out where to start. If you have letters you’d like me to look at before we talk, feel free to email them to john@johnexplainsit.com.
Book Your Free Call →Single Session
Best for someone who has a specific letter or small stack of documents they need help understanding right now.
- ✓Review of up to 3 documents
- ✓Plain English written summary
- ✓Urgency guidance — what needs action now vs. what can wait
- ✓Referral guidance when a professional is needed
- ✓Optional 30-minute follow-up call included
First 30 Days
Best for someone in the thick of it — paperwork arriving every week and decisions that can’t wait. I’m in your corner for the entire first month.
- ✓Four weekly sessions — one per week for 30 days
- ✓Week 1: Full triage — deadlines, urgent items, what to tackle first
- ✓Weeks 2–4: Review new documents as they arrive
- ✓Email support between sessions — questions answered within 24 hours
- ✓Written summary after each session
- ✓Referral guidance when an attorney, CPA, or advisor is needed
Additional sessions are available at $39 each — same as the single session rate. Property title transfers, final tax return questions, beneficiary updates — whatever comes up, I’m still here.
Not sure which option is right for you?
Start with the free 15-minute call. We’ll figure it out together — no commitment required.
Book Your Free CallA little about me
I’m John Meikle, and I’ve spent over 20 years helping everyday people — especially seniors — understand things that were designed to be confusing. I ran a senior-focused computer help business for five years in Florida, and what I learned is that the problem is almost never the person. It’s the language.
I’m a Navy veteran, and I believe in being straight with people. When I explain something, I tell you what it actually means — not a watered-down version, not a hedge. If something needs a lawyer or a financial advisor, I’ll tell you that directly too. My job is to make sure you understand what you’re dealing with before you make any decision.
This service came from listening to people who had just lost a spouse and had no idea who to call when the letters started arriving. You shouldn’t have to figure this out alone.
Questions people ask before booking
Do I need to have everything organized before I contact you?
Not at all. Most people come to me with a pile of letters they haven’t opened yet. That’s completely fine. We start wherever you are.
Is my information kept private?
Yes. Documents you share with me are used only to provide your explanation and are never shared with anyone else. I treat your information with the same care I’d want for my own family.
What if I need a lawyer or financial advisor?
I’ll tell you clearly when that’s the case — and for some documents (especially pension elections and estate matters), it often is. I can help you understand what you’re dealing with so that when you do talk to a professional, you’re not starting from zero.
Can my adult children be part of the conversation?
Absolutely. Many people want a son or daughter on the call with them, and that’s always welcome.
How do I send you the documents?
A photo taken on your phone is perfectly fine. A PDF works too. After we talk, I’ll give you a simple way to send them securely — nothing complicated.
What if I’m calling on behalf of a parent who just lost their spouse?
That’s very common, and you’re welcome to book the call yourself. Many adult children reach out first and then include their parent once they know it’s the right fit.
You shouldn’t have to figure out the paperwork alone.
Start with a free 15-minute call. We’ll talk about your situation and figure out what would help most.
johnexplainsit.com · Plain English help for life’s confusing moments