Getting Your Affairs in Order

Keeping your affairs in order is a really great way to feel secure and confident. Here are some things to organize if you haven’t done so already.

• Will-who will be charged to take care of your children, pets and belongings?
• Power of Attorney-who do you choose to act on your behalf in cases where you are unable to?

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives someone you select, the authority to make decisions on our behalf. There are different levels ranging from the power to make decisions on specific occasions such as selling your home to General Power of Attorneys to give someone power to act on all occasions.

Check out legalzoom.com for easy, affordable online legal documents.

• Life Insurance-do you have a policy with work or a separate one? Do you think this would be a good investment?
• Beneficiaries-have you named the people you want to have your investments and bank accounts?

The spouse or children are often automatically given the estate even when there are no written directives. In the case of multiple possible recipients it is a good idea to clearly state who will receive specific items and who will be the executor.

• Real Estate-who will manage your properties and land?
• Safety Deposit Boxes-do you store items at a bank? Banks are a great place to store high value items.
• Home Safe-do you keep a fireproof safe with important documents or items in your home? You can order one on Amazon.com.

Make a list of all of your assets and have them in a secure place where you and loved ones can find them.

What other ways do you organize your affairs? Have you discussed your wishes and shared your assets’ locations with your loved ones?