We experienced a death in my husband’s family over the holidays. Because of that, I decided to write about the things you don’t want to think about.
Until you experience a death directly, you don’t realize how much ‘business’ there is in dying. (Bills, wills, estates, last wishes, etc.)
I’m writing this as it’s fairly top of mind but writing it in hopes that it may help someone else who doesn’t yet have things set up.
While it’s never a fun conversation to have, it’s important to discuss things with your loved one(s). It’s important that someone knows where to find your important documents, has knowledge of your accounts, has a way to access things in case of your death.
I’ll try to do this in a way of having you ask yourself questions.
- Have you discussed end of life medical decisions? Do you have a living will with power of attorney to ensure that there is someone designated who will work with doctors to ensure things go as you wish?
- Do your loved ones know what you want done after you die? Do you want to be buried or cremated? Is there a specific place that is important to you to either be buried or have your ashes scattered?
- Have you written a will? Does it make sense to create a trust?
- Do you have your financial accounts set up correctly with assigned beneficiaries to be payable upon death? (You may have someone listed, but has anything in life changed that you need to make any updates?) (Listed beneficiaries will trump what you have written in a will, so keep those up to date.)
- Do you want anyone to help handle anything on behalf of those left behind and have you asked them to help?
These are just a couple of things that have come to mind over the last few weeks.
You maybe wondering ‘what does this have to do with homemaking or frugal living?”
The business of dying can get quite expensive and leave quite a gap for your loved ones who will be trying to figure things out while grieving. No matter your age or situation, you can help your family one last time by ensuring that these things are taken care of which can lessen the weight of this.
If you’re unsure where to start, the internet has so many free resources. I wrote up a will and power of attorney and living will several years ago through www.legalzoom.com.
When my husband & I knew we’d be getting married, I had a benefit at work for legal services that I had the cost withheld from my paycheck. We opted for me to do that and then after we got married, met with an attorney to set up a trust.
After we got married, we also reviewed and updated all of our accounts with beneficiaries.
We have had those tough discussions to let the other know our wishes. We have let my stepdaughter know these things as well.
Just because we don’t plan on going anywhere for a good long time, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be prepared.
Take a weight off by taking care of what you can ahead of time. We’ll move back to happier topics going forward.