We all find ourselves at one point or another saying, "I'll get
to it tomorrow" or "I don't want to deal with that right now." Days
pass, weeks slip, and months fly by. Before we know it another year
has passed and we still haven't dealt with some of the most
important decisions in our lives. Sure, it's easier to deal with
the day to day aspects of our lives because those items require our
immediate attention. But thinking beyond the immediate can be
helpful to not only us, but to our family as well. One of the most
common topics of procrastination is estate planning. It makes
perfect sense -- who really wants to think about how your life
might end, what should happen to your belongings, or what type of
care you want should you face illness? They are all daunting
thoughts that are uncomfortable. Nonetheless, the planning is
necessary and the sooner you make those important decisions, the
better you'll feel.
Here's a list of important questions to consider.
Hopefully they will spur you into action:
- Have you met with an attorney to procure a will, living will,
trust, or deal with matters regarding your estate? If it was years
ago, keep in mind circumstances might have changed and it's a good
idea to update these items periodically.
- Have you made or provided any instructions for your memorial
service? With so many details involved, removing the guess work for
family and friends is ideal.
- Have you made a list of any collectibles you would like
distributed among family and friends? Emotions can run high during
these times; therefore, assume nothing. Make a list of those items
including furniture, china, silver, etc. and indicate to whom each
item should be distributed. Digital photography can be an easy way
to document these items and alleviate any confusion.
- Are there collected memorabilia, papers, writings, photos,
etc., regarding family genealogy details that need to be passed to
a family member or added to your will?
- When is the last time you organized your collection of photos?
It might be time to consider having them transferred to new media
sources for easy sharing as well as to ensure their quality is not
diminished by wear and tear.
- Are there other items in a safe or safety deposit box that need
to be collected and kept for future distribution?
- Are there some items you want to donate to charity or simply
discard? It might be a good idea to consult with another family
member who is familiar with such items and their value before
disposing or donating them.
- If you've made all of the arrangements above, have you given
copies of the documentation to your family and lawyer?
Remember the purpose of all this organizing and planning is to
ensure your wishes are followed and any conflict or
misunderstandings are avoided. With everything documented, when the
time comes things will run smoothly and your family and friends can
cherish your memory.
Take a load off your mind and say goodbye to procrastination
today!
Carrie Robertson
Research & Community Education
Chicago Senior Living
Assisted Living
in Chicago