In part one I expressed my thoughts as to why we should have the discussion of living life through the end and beyond. Here I’d like to convey some of the things that would be helpful to discuss and how you might go about conveying your wishes.
There are cases in which some of us will have a warning that death is approaching, but for others there is no warning. It’s best to discuss these matters ahead of time before the time comes and since some have no warning, the time is now.
I am listing a few things that can be discussed to convey your wishes. However, I would consider creating a Last Wish Document. Even though a Last Wish Document is not legally binding, it will help your loved one’s make decisions for you that are in alignment with your wishes when the time comes.
Many requests written in a Last Wish Document are separate and more personal from a legal document.
If you have a prior warning there are certain things that you may want to take place prior to your last breath. Some of these wishes can be, where you want to be (at home or a facility), who you might want to see, or not see, maybe you want a particular blanket to cover you. These are personal choices nothing is out of the question.
A Last Wishes Document is a document that lists the location of your “how, what and where” documents that will inform your loved ones of the how, what and where. It’s exactly what it is the how, what and where this information can be located. These documents are more than your estate planning documents. However, these documents should also be included.
A partial list of documents/information your loved ones will need access to in the event or your incapacity and/or death are:
Phone numbers
- Doctors
- Friends and family
- Attorneys
- Accountants
Documents:
- Deed to your house
- Title to any vehicle you own
- keys to your house, car, etc
- Social Security card and birth certificate
- marriage certificate
- any divorce decree
- insurance cards
- military records
- safe deposit box
- passport
- drivers license
- citizenship papers
- adoption papers
- tax returns
Your loved one will need a list of your user name and passwords. You can choose to use a password manager if you’d like and write the information necessary to access the password manager for your loved one or you can write your own information and share the location of that list with your loved one. Some that you may put on your list is:
- Your computer password
- Your primary email account
- social media accounts
- any bills you pay online
- any financial accounts including
- Checking – do not write the account number – just a location where that information can be found
- Savings
- Investment
- Credit card
- any loans including mortgages
- Retirement
- pensions
- life insurance
- disability insurance (if applicable)
PEOPLE
- Attorney
- Accountants
- financial advisors
- insurance agent
- business partners
- guardians
- funeral directors
You can also include some of your more personal preferences such as;
- Home or facility (if choice is available)
- Message to your loved ones
- People you’d like to see or not – pets
- favorite foods or drinks
- last visit to a special location
- partial or complete obituary if you choose to write it
- your preference of how you would like you body to be handled – burial, location etc. or cremation and what you’d like with your ashes
- what you’d like regarding any ceremony
- any message you may have for your loved ones
Storing your Life File.
Obvious this information is not something you want laying around for anyone to see.
Keep a digital file that you can visit over time and update the information. Keep it safe either encrypt it and/or password protect it.
Digital copy on thumb drive etc and Physical copy – print and place in safe. Let your loved one know there is a copy of it in the safe and give the combination or information of location of the key to the safe-deposit – you can give a thumbdrive to attorney etc. , just remember you will need to give them a digital copy each time you update.
