BUSINESS
No time like the present
By Stacey Golden-Lisnock
Why having your affairs in order matters Whether or not you realize it, you are constructing your life legacy. We all will leave a legacy behind—nothing more than memories the people we touched during our lives can remember us by. The question is, “Will your legacy be one you would be proud of and, more importantly, that your family will appreciate?”
It can be difficult to get people to sit long enough to retrieve the information needed for a smooth transition. Along the way, I have found there are three different reactions to why people have not taken action to ensure a positive legacy: › Reaction 1 — I have an idea there is more I need to do in order to take care of things, but I’m busy with other matters and concerns right now. (It is way down on my list of priorities—it will have to wait.) › Reaction 2 — I do not recognize there is work to do. I am not convinced, nor do I have any plans to be concerned at this time in my life. (It’s not on my radar.) › Reaction 3 — I feel the urgency; I understand the seriousness, and I want to take action. (I am just not sure where to start or who to trust to help me.)
Most people do not put much thought into what “situation” or “set of circumstances” they will leave their family in if they should suddenly fall ill, be injured or pass on. That is unfortunate for those who are left with all the responsibilities. What will you leave behind? Will your family know how to access insurance policies, make decisions on what should happen to your pet(s), be able to arrange your funeral, fairly divide or part with your material possessions, and so much more—all while processing grief. The truth is that most people are not prepared for that health crisis, accident or death. The majority do not even discuss this, which leaves everyone blindsided by life’s unexpected turns. But know this: There is tremendous value in putting all of your affairs in order so that your legacy is a positive one.
10 Lead Up for Women
I am passionate about helping people be prepared in advance of these chaotic situations. All over the world, people are living with the consequences of a lack of proper planning (or none at all) in regards to a change in health or the passing of a loved one. As a financial advocate, I have helped many people better understand why they should be prepared. As you will see, the understanding part must come first. It is very disappointing to see a family that is unprepared for what are inevitable events. If it has not happened to you, imagine how hard it is to get access to the important paperwork and information with any instructions in place. It would be equivalent to someone handing you a baton in a relay race you had no idea you were running in. Do you think you could catch the baton, or would you fumble it badly?
If you see yourself in any of those reactions, you are in the right place to get some good recommendations, which are designed to move you to take action. So many things can and do happen without warning. And when they do, the chaos begins for your family. I will continue to have these conversations, since everyone needs to know they hold the key to their loved ones’ future—to the degree the legacy they ultimately leave behind affects the quality of life for those left to sort through the loose ends). While you may hate to imagine a scenario where you cannot be there for your loved ones, take a moment to do just that. › Would they be left to mourn in peace, or would they be thrust into the stressful situation of tending to your affairs?
September-October 2021
