The main reason, though, that I am writing about this is the other sides of such a situation. The other life practicalities which often people let slide for all kinds of reasons. In the case of my client here, he just wasn’t aware of all the things that need to be taken into account. He is not alone. Often times people find out by going through it after the bad news has already hit and it is too late.

Have you ever seen a statistic on the number of Americans who die without a will? The one I saw stated just over 50%. That’s a big number! From what I understand, even a will will not protect you from probate. What does probate mean? It is court and translates into lost time, money, delays in transference and legal costs. Definitely better avoided in other words. A rightly done trust will avoid this. Trusts are not just for rich people! This is a big part of taking care of your family – after you are gone.

And then there is everything prior to that. How will the wishes of the person who is going to die get taken into account? Living will (if you don’t know what that is, you will be glad you found out), DNA (Do Not Resusitate), Power of Attorney (for many of us there comes a time or times when we can’t make decisions for ourselves) etc. Much of this can be handled inexpensively and at your leisure by online services such as offered by Suze Orman, for one.

I strongly encourage you to research and become aware of this whole side of life’s practicalities. For the sake of your family members and for yourself. It is readily doable, I can tell you. Handling these matters will have dramatically positive, stress-reducing effects for you and your family, both while alive and at death and thereafter.