READ MORE: Did you know stampeding squirrels once overran Ohio, damaging crops?
Both of my parents lived long, healthy, productive lives and passed away in peace surrounded by family and for that I will be eternally thankful.
After going through one estate already within the past year, hearing everyone else’s executor stories and suggestions, and now preparing to go through Dad’s, I feel a responsibility to climb upon my soapbox to begin the year.
Please prepare a proper legal will.
My parents had wills but I see other families going through confusion in addition to mourning the passing of a dear one. Please don’t make it harder on your loved ones. Prepare a will. If you have one already, let someone in the family know where it’s stored. And it doesn’t hurt to have a will even when you are young.
Wills don’t have to be complicated or full of flowery language. They can be very simple and relatively inexpensive but they do have to be done legally.
DETAILS: Cottrel: Clark County has plenty of local recreation options
Lawyers, of course, can write one for you or you can contact legal services for help to get this done. Wills can also be composed online on legal sites. There are books in the library that will help you.
The amount of money it costs you will be small when compared to the distress a family feels when they don’t have a will to guide them. It also saves them lots of paperwork and expense. Consider a will to be a gift to your family and your way of making life easier for those you love after you’re gone.
If you have minor or dependent children, you will need to name a guardian. This is probably the hardest part of a will, but the most important.
Once you get your will and have it witnessed, make sure it’s stored in a secure place. Tell your heirs where you have it stored. Show them, don’t send them on a frantic scavenger hunt after you die. Your legal consultant will be able to suggest proper ways to do this. Ask.
But there is more than just wills to do.
MORE COVERAGE: Cottrel: Take a closer look at moths, butterflies in Clark County
Do you want your body to be cremated, buried or donated to science? Let your family or friends know now while it can be discussed.
If you already have a burial lot, make sure that information is on file. I had an uncle who was nearly buried beside the wrong wife. He had a burial plot with each of his two wives and should have had his preferences on file. The error was discovered only after the service had concluded and just before he was buried. Such confusion is not easy for those in attendance but this uncle did provide many interesting tales for the family to remember him.
It really doesn’t hurt to have just a sheet of paper in a file in your handwriting that lists preferences for a funeral. Some keep this in a Bible. Do you want it to be simple, military, Masonic, religious, upbeat, traditional? Where do you want services to be held?
List a favorite song or two. They can be hymns, recordings, live music or just a simple song you love.
Same goes for a favorite Scripture or poem that you’d like to have read. A pastor can help you pre-plan a funeral.
A bit of pre-planning is a wonderful way to keep your family from worrying that they forgot something you would have wanted. It’s a kind gesture on your part to prepare this. And it will only take a few minutes.
Funeral homes may also provide this service with or without a fee. If you have a preferred place, ask.
I don’t mean to be morose to start off 2018 but I feel that being prepared for something that’s going to happen eventually is a big burden off your shoulders and your family, too. Knowing that your final paperwork is in order can be a comfort.
You cannot control when or how you pass away but you can control how smoothly life goes on for your loved ones afterward. It will be appreciated and you will be blessed for it.
Prepare the will. Secure the sealed will with a trusted person or safe place that’s known to your executor. Make some suggestions for your funeral then file that paperwork and forget about it.
Now move forward and have a great 2018.
I’ll be more cheerful next week, I promise.
About the Author