Secure Your Legacy: 6 Essential Steps to Get Your Affairs in Order Before It's Too Late

Have you ever heard the phrase 'You Need To Get Your Affairs In Order?' What does it really mean and how do you prepare your survivors for that day? In this week's blog, I want to discuss preparations for when you are laid to rest. I do not want to scare you but we need to prepare for the inevitable.

Getting your affairs in order is an important part of life that many people tend to overlook or do not think about at all. Some individuals only think about it when they are faced with a life-threatening illness, when they are approaching their twilight years or it is left for their loved ones to figure everything out. However, taking the necessary steps to get your affairs in order should be a priority for everyone, regardless of age or health status. So what does "getting your affairs in order" really mean?

Essentially, it refers to the process of organizing your personal and financial affairs so that your loved ones can easily carry out your wishes after you pass away. This includes important documents such as your will, trust, power of attorney, life insurance policies, and any other legal documents that detail your wishes and instructions.

Getting your affairs in order also means taking the time to make important decisions about your end-of-life care, which can include your preferences for medical treatment, funeral arrangements, and even organ donation. It's important to communicate these decisions to your loved ones, so they understand your wishes and can carry them out when the time comes. No one likes to think about their mortality, but it's important to make sure that your loved ones are prepared for the inevitable. When you pass away, your survivors will have important decisions to make, and having a checklist will help them make better decisions. Also, the more they know about your finances, preferences, and arrangements, the easier it will be for them to navigate through this difficult time.

Here are some tips for getting your affairs in order and preparing your survivors:

1. Review your finances with your loved ones.

One of the most important things you can do is to make sure that your loved ones know where your assets and documents are kept. This includes your will, insurance policies, bank accounts, and any other financial accounts. If any of the money matters involve your children, be sure to discuss this with them as well. Having an open and honest conversation about your finances can help to eliminate confusion and prevent any disputes later on.

2. Discuss funeral and burial options.

Funeral and burial arrangements can be emotionally charged decisions, so it's important to let your family know about your preferences or any arrangements you have already made. This can include everything from the type of service you want to have to the cemetery or cremation options. By having these conversations ahead of time, you can ensure that your wishes are respected and that your family is not left guessing about what you would have wanted.

3. See an attorney and have your will or a trust prepared.

One of the most important legal documents you can have is a will or a trust. This will ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and can help to prevent any legal disputes between your survivors. It's best to consult with an attorney specializing in estate planning to ensure everything is in order and that your documents are legally binding.

4. Become familiar with and complete advance directives.

Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to make decisions about your medical care in advance. These can include a durable power of attorney (which gives someone you trust the ability to manage your affairs should you become unable to do so), a living will, a health care proxy, and do-not-resuscitate orders. If you have minor children, be sure to name a guardian for them in the event of your death. If you have a child with a disability, it's a good idea to consult a professional who can help you navigate through complex legal issues.

5. Purchase life insurance

Life insurance can provide financial security and support to your loved ones in the event of your death. By having life insurance, you can ensure that your family is provided for even if you are no longer able to provide for them yourself. It can help cover expenses like funeral costs, outstanding debts, and living expenses. If you do not have life insurance look into getting

6. Know your social media account information.

In today's digital age, your social media account information is just as valuable as your financial information. Your survivors will need to deactivate your accounts, so make sure they have access to your usernames and passwords.

Preparing for the future can be daunting, but it's important to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of when you're no longer around. By reviewing your finances, discussing funeral and burial options, seeing an attorney, completing advance directives, and thinking about your social media accounts. You can help to ensure that your wishes are respected and that your family is not left guessing about what you would have wanted. Following these simple steps will ensure that your loved ones are better prepared to make important decisions after you have passed away. If you need an attorney, contact Attorney Beverly Edney at 340-277-4470 or email her at domesticlawyer@yahoo.com. Tell her Simply Jaynae referred you.

Until Next Time...

Simply Jaynae