Runyon Law Office, PLLC

  • Home
  • Attorney Profile
  • Areas of Practice
  • Staff
  • Food for Thought
    • Suggestions for Senior Dilemmas - 03/03/2020
    • SECURE in the Knowledge - 02/06/2020
    • Holiday Semi-Legal Offerings 12/19/2019
    • From One State to Another - 11/20/2019
    • What to Do with Those Documents - 06/05/2019
  • Food for Thought Archive
  • Your Thoughts
  • Directions
  • Contact Us
  • Our Town
  • Vital Signs Material
  • ABA pro bono letter

First, Get Organized! by Phil Runyon

7/2/2012

 

First, Get Organized!

These messages aren't intended to ruin your day by reminding you repeatedly about the transitory nature of human life.  No, they're aimed at getting you organized, so you can forget about that dreary topic and spend more time enjoying life - maybe you'll smile a few times, too, if I can pull it off.

I led with that preface because this installment is going to sound like a downer, no matter how I sugar-coat it.  My point is, you need to have your affairs in order for your family, so they can spend their time remembering what a wonderfully thoughtful person you were - without tearing out their remaining hair trying to figure out why you left them such a mess.   

Here's what I'm talking about.  If you were to die suddenly tomorrow (sorry!), would your family really know enough about you to write a meaningful obituary; would they know what kind of service you wanted, if any at all; and would they know how to reach old or distant friends you'd want contacted right away?  I'm guessing "no" for many of you.

Let's head farther into the weeds.  Would they know about all your financial affairs?  That is, would they know about all your accounts (bank, brokerage, mutual fund, retirement), including account numbers, and how to contact the right people for values and transfer information?  Would they know about your current life insurance, if any, including where the policies are kept and whether that dusty old thing from Acme Insurance of Cucamonga is still in effect?  Would they know whether you have a safety deposit box; where the key is; and what they might find when they get in there (Al Capone clearly dropped the ball on this one.)?  

OK, you get the point.  Still, it sounds like a lot of work, right?  It probably is the first time around, but pick a rainy Sunday and use the Nike method - just do it!  We all have computers now - you wouldn't be reading this otherwise.  So input all the information I'm talking about, plus anything else that comes to mind and might be helpful (family Social Security #s, donations in lieu of flowers, who to contact to appraise your cereal box collection).  Then, just hit "save" and you're done for now.  When anything changes, just tweak the information and keep saving it.  Finally, print a copy and leave it in your desk marked "open me first".  I'm a nervous flier, so when a trip is looming, I make sure everything is up to date even before packing my suitcase.

If you need a template to use to get started, let me know and I'll e-mail one.

Then, if the unimaginable happens, your family will thank you, as well as miss you, and they won't have to go on an Easter egg hunt just to figure out what you've been up to all these years!

(Posted July 2, 2012)

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    April 2019
    February 2019
    July 2018
    March 2018
    October 2017
    July 2017
    October 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    November 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    Categories

    All
    Asset Protection
    Estate Planning
    Miscellany
    Probate
    Real Estate
    Tax Planning

Copyright ©  2012-2021 Runyon Law Office, PLLC