What Will Happen When You Die?

May 15, 2008

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If you’re like 70% of Americans, you’ll be leaving a mess behind for your family because you don’t have a Last Will and Testament.

Is that how you want to be remembered?

Of course not!

AND, if you don’t have a Will, your state has one for you and you probably won’t like how they divide your assets. For example, your estate doesn’t automatically go to your surviving spouse. Without a will, it can be divided between your spouse and your children or your spouse and your parents.

If you have children, a judge will determine who they go to and they may be stuck in the foster care system until that is decided.

So, since we’re all going to die anyway, let’s get our affairs in order and allow our friends and family to focus on what we meant to them and leave a legacy of calm and organization!

Now that you’ve faced your death, where can you go to get your Will? (Don’t even think about trying to do it yourself).

A local attorney ($$$)
DoYourOwnWill.com (Free)
Do your will yourself Simple Will Book ($)
Create your own Will Quicken Willmaker ($)

What else should I do?

A Living Will indicates your wishes regarding how long/if you want to be kept alive by medical means (life support).

An Advance Medical Directive authorize someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to.

Power of Attorney designates someone to handle your financial affairs. You can choose one which will become effective immediately or one that only becomes effective when you become incapacitated (known as a springing power of attorney).

Don’t forget to update your Will and other documents every few years or when there is a major life change such as a new child, a beneficiary or executor’s death, move to a new state, divorce or marriage.

I’ve created some additional worksheets you can download if you’d like:

Burial Instructions
Financial Inventory

Please take care of this right now while you’re thinking of it. Your family will thank you.

Warmly, Cindy

Posted by Cindy Morus | Filed Under Family 

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