My friend Maureen Kures posted an interesting question on Facebook that resulted in a very compelling thread. She writes, “Do you ever think what would happen if you were to die without a will? Do you want your assets distributed as you wish? Or would you rather have the state decide how your assets are allocated? I want to decide how my estate is settled! I want to decide who will be my healthcare advocate/Power of Attorney if that time comes.As end of the year approaches we have been updating our estate planning. I’d love to share how you can use LegalShield to affordably and efficiently get your will written. It is the LOVE LETTER we give to our family. Isn’t that the perfect Christmas gift? Let me help you get your family LOVE LETTER written!
Jill Nichols-Hicks I’m so glad you are doing this and considering your experiences with families from being a nurse it’s unbelievable the pain when things are not in place. When I was in the funeral industry I saw over and over again how families were not prepared because of the conversation they don’t want to have. However it is key in order to have that peace of mind for what will absolute happen in the future. Who do you know? Thanks for posting here.❤
Nancy Juetten just curious, what is the trigger point that gets families off the dime to have this conversation, given your experience? For me, it was seeing friends suffer unnecessarily at the worst possible times and knowing that I wanted to come at this from a different and more empowering perspective. But I continue to be astounded by the ‘when I get around to it’ approach that is so common and often comes too late. What is the trigger point or the message that can inspire action now? I’d really like to know!
Maureen Kures wouldn’t we all like to know. I believe education and encouragement is the answer. I was devastated when I had patients that did not have healthcare directives in place and had never talked to the families about their wishes. Those situations can divide families, sometimes forever. We need more people like you and me and Yvonne Heath spreading the word about the peace of mind estate planning and conversation brings to families and individuals.
Jill Nichols-Hicks often it’s being a squeaky wheel and getting people to verbally acknowledge that this isn’t about them but those they love and that leaving estate planning and full conversations around end of life, collection of the body, funeral/burial plans, where important documents are, and any wishes of property and belongings will be left to living.
Families have been torn apart when plans are not in place. Do they want that? Stories around what those left behind had to go through when no plan is in place is vital. I personally watched families pour out a ton of money they didn’t have, with the funeral director for hours, and argue over details on the worst day of their life.
Constant conversations, reminders it’s about who is left behind to manage affairs that is everyone’s personal responsibility.
Is it fun? Do we like talking about it? Is there fear?
Get over it and take care of the business that is 100% going to happen. We all will die, please get your affairs in order even if we have years of life. Truly a very valuable gift. I’ve boldly said getting around to it is an unacceptable excuse.
Pull out the calendar, let’s get this done. Peace of mind….unless they know when they’re going to die….not!
Jill Nichols-Hicks Amen! So well said!
Nancy Juetten Life is so random. Heck, there was a tornado is Port Orchard today. Trees falling without warning. Craziness happens when it is least expected. None of us is immune, as you say.
I love this conversation because it reinforces the role I can play in guiding families to get ahead of life before life happens with Life Goes on Roadmap™. This is a system for personal financial information organization that guides users through 16 road stops that ignite important conversations within families, while also putting keyboard to spreadsheet about personal contacts, investment account access, household operations, a valuables inventory, and even end of life wishes so the right people have access to the information when the rubber meets the road in life. Visit this link and use Gratitude as your promo code to save $20 on the system before 12-31-2018.
