No one wants to think about dying, so we put off making simple but important decisions. Maybe you have a will, but that’s only the first small step. You probably have designated beneficiaries on your bank accounts and retirement funds, but what happens to your real estate, cars and even your pets?

What about medical decisions if you can’t make them yourself? There are many forms you need in place, such as a living will, medical power of attorney and a regular power of attorney for while you are alive and after your death.

I have met women facing new obstacles when their husbands got sick or died. They never worried about how things were managed and the learning curve is steep at a critical time in their lives.

Then there are the divorced or widowed men who don’t have a clue about how the utilities get paid. I did such a great job managing all the business decisions inside my marriage of 34 years, that my ex was lost and overwhelmed when he was on his own.

So what can we do to remove the tough load for those left behind when we die? Get a notebook and pen and start jotting all your thoughts down.

1) Start by getting rid of all the junk you accumulated in your life. Trust me, no one wants your old china. No one. Not even estate sale companies.

2) List every asset you own such as real estate, cars, boats, golf carts, retirement, investment and bank accounts and life insurance policies.

3) Prepare a will through an online legal form application such as Law Depot or consult an attorney. This will address any items that you might have forgotten about, especially who you want to get your car, “toys”, jewelry, trinkets and collectibles.

4) Designate primary and contingent beneficiaries on all your accounts…bank, retirement, investments and life insurance. It’s very easy to do and those funds will automatically pass to your beneficiaries when they present a copy of your death certificate. Make sure they get at least 6 copies as every company will want one….banks, retirement companies, life insurance, etc.

5) Prepare a beneficiary deed on your real estate and file it with your county. It costs about $50 and will save your family thousands. All you need is the legal description of your property and who you want to get your house automatically after your death. I put my house in a very simple trust so my husband or son would own it without the expensive probate process.

6) Prepare a revocable trust which can be a very low cost tool if you do most of the work yourself through the online tools or with an attorney. All your assets can move to the trust after your death. It can continue to work for your family and provide life long “paychecks” every month, rather than just distributing everything lump sum.

7) Prepare a plan about who will love and take care of Fido or Felix. Put all their vaccination records, favorite foods and even their vet and groomer information together.

8) Develop a list of donations you want to make to your favorite charities and friends.

9) Make a list of your personal items including clothes and shoes and designate where you want them to be donated.

10) Consider donating your body to Science Care, where your body will be used for research, cremated and your ashes will be returned in an urn. There is no cost but you must register your forms ahead of time. Be sure and tell your family ahead of time what your wishes are regarding your remains.

Estate Planning is the greatest gift you can give to your family. Don’t put it off and start today. Feel free to contact me with questions or advice.

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