If you care about those who will handle things for you in case you become incapacitated, help them now. Do it if you have dependent children or someone depending on you financially. Do it for the people you will leave behind.
Stop thinking that everyone knows what you want when you pass away. And even if they do, in their grief they might not be able to make the right decisions. An recent article in The Washington Post, titled “Put Your Estate Plan On Paper Before It’s Too Late,” gives sound advice on this urgent topic.
Grieving friends and relatives are in no condition to think clearly about “what you would have wanted.” It will be hard enough in many instances for them to keep it together and take care of the basics and themselves. If you make the appropriate arrangements and draft the correct documents, you’ll take many of those tough decisions out of their hands.
There’s no need to be afraid that someone is going to steal from you. If you give into this fear, it can cost you more money to you or even the person handling your affairs. This includes those medical and hospital staff who may one day have to care for you. All their focus should be on your care, rather than refereeing your family drama or serving as a witness to it, which can be very stressful.
All sorts of unnecessary drama can follow your death simply because you didn’t take the time to make proper estate plans or couldn’t figure out somebody you could trust.
The Washington Post article lists some of the essential documents you need to assemble or prepare. These documents include financial statements, insurance policies, retirement and pension information, veterans benefits records, your will, guardianship instructions, and advance medical directives.
Help eliminate or minimize anxiety and frustration, as well as the potential for further conflict that might occur because you didn’t do at least some of the most rudimentary estate planning.
Start putting your affairs in order TODAY: DON’T WAIT!
Reference: The Washington Post (March 20, 2014) “Put Your Estate Plan On Paper Before It’s Too Late“
