I am currently helping out the family of a friend of mine that passed away Christmas morning. He was 52 years old so his passing was quite unexpected. Now, we begin to clean up a bit of a mess he left behind-
If you love your families you will consider do the following:
1.) Have a damn will. Very uncomfortable to put your last wishes on paper but if you don't have a will your family loses some ability to settle your estate to their wishes. Where do you want to be buried? Do you want to be cremated? Who has permission to unplug your life support if that day comes? Where do you want your kids to go if both you and your spouse pass together? Not fun to do so have a really nice dinner after you meet with the attorney. Oh-Ma cried like a baby the whole time we were there in the attorney's office.
2.) Spend an hour or so (away from RRS) and put together a one page letter or so that will be found upon your passing that details the following:
a.) Quick game plan for your spouse for the first 90 days or so after your passing
b.) directions to where your spouse can find your internet passwords and passwords for online accounts like your retirement stuff, etc
c.) we all have friends that know about our various hobbies and such- compile a list of trusted friends to help your spouse manage your gun collection (NFA items), or ham radio equipment, or hunting gear that may not get handled appropriately when you are gone. If you have any sort of collection you will most likely know someone that can help your family dispose or manage those assets.
d.) TELL YOUR SPOUSE THAT THIS OUTLINE FOR THE FIRST 90 DAYS EXISTS SO SHE/HE WILL KNOW TO LOOK FOR IT.
3.) Buy some life insurance. I don't know what the industry standard is but it would seem like having enough to fund your family for at least a year would be a starting point. It will take the heat off them the first 30 days or so when they are recovering from the grief of your death.
4.) Try not to leave any "loose ends." I have a zoning/replat issues on one of my properties that needs to be done so when the day comes to sell them it will be easy to do. That issue will take me 90 days to get done now and I have worked on it for years. It is such a headache and my wife or son doesn't need to clean up that mess.
5.) Put this task on a calendar because if you don't you will continue to put it off. I know and I am going to try to salvage some good from this friend's death to get my own crap squared away.
I had to share this today because it has consumed me for a week now. Let's make the most of 2021 now and get squared away. We owe it to the ones we will leave behind.
If you love your families you will consider do the following:
1.) Have a damn will. Very uncomfortable to put your last wishes on paper but if you don't have a will your family loses some ability to settle your estate to their wishes. Where do you want to be buried? Do you want to be cremated? Who has permission to unplug your life support if that day comes? Where do you want your kids to go if both you and your spouse pass together? Not fun to do so have a really nice dinner after you meet with the attorney. Oh-Ma cried like a baby the whole time we were there in the attorney's office.
2.) Spend an hour or so (away from RRS) and put together a one page letter or so that will be found upon your passing that details the following:
a.) Quick game plan for your spouse for the first 90 days or so after your passing
b.) directions to where your spouse can find your internet passwords and passwords for online accounts like your retirement stuff, etc
c.) we all have friends that know about our various hobbies and such- compile a list of trusted friends to help your spouse manage your gun collection (NFA items), or ham radio equipment, or hunting gear that may not get handled appropriately when you are gone. If you have any sort of collection you will most likely know someone that can help your family dispose or manage those assets.
d.) TELL YOUR SPOUSE THAT THIS OUTLINE FOR THE FIRST 90 DAYS EXISTS SO SHE/HE WILL KNOW TO LOOK FOR IT.
3.) Buy some life insurance. I don't know what the industry standard is but it would seem like having enough to fund your family for at least a year would be a starting point. It will take the heat off them the first 30 days or so when they are recovering from the grief of your death.
4.) Try not to leave any "loose ends." I have a zoning/replat issues on one of my properties that needs to be done so when the day comes to sell them it will be easy to do. That issue will take me 90 days to get done now and I have worked on it for years. It is such a headache and my wife or son doesn't need to clean up that mess.
5.) Put this task on a calendar because if you don't you will continue to put it off. I know and I am going to try to salvage some good from this friend's death to get my own crap squared away.
I had to share this today because it has consumed me for a week now. Let's make the most of 2021 now and get squared away. We owe it to the ones we will leave behind.
