Create a will and plan for what comes next to reduce stress today

Talking about death is no one’s idea of a good time. And yet, it needs to happen. Be proactive and take steps to put your affairs in order now.

Once finished, a weight will be lifted from your shoulders, and you will have one less thing to worry about so you can continue living your best life.

Create a last will and testament

Your will is your legacy. Creating it while you are still living your life to the fullest may seem incompatible with a healthy and happy lifestyle. But make no mistake that the two are not at odds. Instead, having a will means you have a plan in place for asset allocation so that the responsibility of making these difficult decisions is not left to anyone else.

Work with a reputable law firm, such as Hale and Hawthorn, who are experts in their respective fields and understand the nuances and emotions involved in this important process. They have the experience to thoughtfully guide you through the finer points of ensuring all necessary areas of will preparation are covered.

Name an executor

As part of the will creation process, you will be asked to name an executor of your will and estate. This person should be a trusted friend or family member with whom you have a history of mutual respect and care.

Consider those in your sphere you have continued and frequent contact and a comfortable rapport. As you are making your decision, remember that they will have access to your financial history and account information. Once you have decided, ensure you contact them to ask if they will take on this important role. A telephone or video call is the best way to make this request.

When the executor is in place and your will is created, make sure they know where the original will and any related documents are located. This should include information on how to access your accounts to manage and close them after your death.

Review these items to compile a comprehensive document and file that includes necessary information:

Original and copy of birth certificate, marriage license, and name change certifications.
Usernames and passwords for all utility bills, bank statements, and credit card statements.
Information regarding monthly or annual bills.
Websites, usernames and passwords for all email and social media accounts.
Passwords for all devices, such as smartphones, e-readers, tablets, and computers.
Websites, usernames and passwords for cloud storage services.
Include detailed notes on any accounts set on autopay and which accounts they pull from.
Websites, usernames and passwords for investment accounts.
Location of paper files in your home.
Keycode or key location for home safe.

Gathering this information will take some time, but it gives you a chance to rethink memberships and cancel unused ones while preparing your finances. This task will be greatly appreciated by your executor.

Routinely review your will

Review your will throughout your life so you have the chance to make updates or changes as you wish. This is especially important when major life changes occur, such as birth, adoption, death, marriage, or divorce. Be thoughtful about who you have chosen to be the executor and make changes there, too, if needed.

Perhaps you are no longer as close to your executor as you once were. People follow different paths in life and sometimes grow apart. If you experience this shift away from the executor of your will, rethink who you want to handle your affairs.

As you go through your will, check in with your lawyer to ask about any changes they can advise you on and update your will accordingly. This step will ensure that you stay within the bounds of the law if governance and guidelines have changed.

Plan your funeral

While the topic of death is potentially morbid and extraordinarily uncomfortable for many people, it is an important one to deal with before you are gone. By taking care of the details, you will spare your loved ones from trying to determine what you would have wanted for your final send-off when they will be full of grief and sorrow.

Spend some time outlining how you want your funeral to look. Or, create a document clearly stating that you do not wish to have one. The important thing is to make your wishes known and then include this information in the same place as your will.

Include these details in your final wishes document:

Write your obituary.
Add songs you want to be played or performed at the service.
Include specific scripture if you are religious.
Make a note of any preference for cremation or burial.
List the location of the cemetery you would like to be buried at.
Make note of military service and whether you want a military burial.

Now that you have an idea of what you need to prepare for your death, take a deep breath and begin. It will probably not be a joyous process, but it is an important one.

As time passes, you may not have an opportunity to make these decisions, but if you accomplish them now, you will have comfort in knowing that your wishes will be honoured.