“What-if” Planning Blog
Including Pets in End-of-Life Planning
While our main goal is to prepare “the survivors” for the death of a family member, sometimes beloved survivors are also pets. These furry, loyal friends deserve to be accounted for in our end-of-life planning.
"I've Got the Power"...of Attorney
It is important to understand the concept of “power of attorney.” Various versions of this legal document are recommended as part of your end-of-life planning.
The Love Letters Kept
One of the things we hear most often about loss is that when a parent/spouse/loved one passed away, survivors immediately look for something written that had their name on it. Whether it was a letter, a journal entry, a calendar, ANYTHING in their loved one’s handwriting that mentioned the survivor by name. I this week’s blog, we discuss one of our HIGHLY RECOMMENDED things to add to your end-of-life planning to do list. Write letters to your people. A journal is for you. A letter is for them.
Childcare for the Suddenly Single Parent
When planning for what-if moments, it’s important to consider childcare from the perspective of both parents suddenly finding themselves single to make sure resources will be available for either parent to succeed.
Preparation for Peace
Preparing emotionally and spiritually for the death of a spouse is a challenge, but doable. Conversation is the key.
Estate and Game Plan
Many people often use the term “estate plan” and “will” or “living trust” interchangeably, but they are, in fact, different concepts.
Don’t Poke the Care BEAR!
Don't poke the care bear! Being a caregiver to a loved one during a long-term illness was a life-changing, difficult, yet very meaningful experience. Turns out caregiving brings its own set of challenges while your person is also having life-changing, difficult and hopefully meaningful experiences.
Term versus Permanent
For most people, life insurance should be a key component of your end-of-life plans. It can play a huge role in easing the burden of death by allowing the surviving spouse to hire others to help with day-to-day tasks and/or replace lost income and keep paying the bills. The two main types of life insurance are described in this blog.
The Estate Planning Time
Just because we don’t have large and expensive kinds of assets, doesn’t mean we don’t have an estate and a need for estate planning. In this week’s blog, find out what an estate plan is and how you can get started.
Planning for a Funeral
Whether it’s called a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life, honoring the deceased is a custom upheld by most families and communities. Many decisions must be made to prepare for and carry out a service. What happens to the body? Where will the remains reside? What kind of casket or urn is desired? Though each of these components could be a blog all by themselves, this week’s blog addresses what may be the driving force behind how you answer each these questions -- cost.
Carrying Carts & Lightening Loads
Here’s a secret. You DON’T have to do everything on your own. You can if you want, but most people really are amazing in a crisis and truly want to help somehow. Like the pioneers pulling a handcart together– neighbors, friends, even perfect strangers will often want to ease those burdens with you. But, oh, the healing that can take place when you have even more join in. The secret is letting them do it.
Preparing for Single Parenthood
After I was thrust into the world of single parenthood when Kris died, it did not take long before my level of respect for all single parents, regardless of how or why they got into that position, rose through the roof.
Trying to be the mom AND the dad to three girls and one boy is crazy hard!