Welcome to 2023! As we look to start of the New Year right, it’s time to make sure your affairs are in order and here is a checklist below to help get you started.

????Make sure all bank accounts have direct beneficiaries. The beneficiary need only go to the bank with your death certificate and an ID of their own. 

???? TOD = Transfer On Death house deed if you own a home. Completing this document and filing it with your county saves your heirs THOUSANDS. This document allows you to transfer ownership of your home to your designee. All they need to do is take their ID and your death certificate to the county building and the deed is signed over. Doing this will avoid the home having to go through probate. 

???? TOD = also Transfer on Death your auto title(s). You can do that too.  All these things will help your heirs avoid the probate process!

????‍????‍????‍???? Living Will:  Allows one to put in writing EXACTLY what you want done in the event you cannot speak for yourself when it comes to healthcare decisions as well as other final decisions. 

????????‍⚖️ Durable Power of Attorney: Allows one to designate a person to make legal decisions if one is no longer competent to do so. 

???? Power of Attorney for Healthcare:  This document allows one to designate someone to make healthcare decisions for their person. 

???? Last Will and Testament:  Designates to whom personal belongings will go too.

???? Funeral Planning Declaration:  allows one to say exactly one’s wishes as far as disposition of the body and the services. 

     If the above documents are done, you can AVOID probate. 

     If all the above is not done, you have to open an estate account at the bank. All money that doesn’t have direct beneficiaries goes into this account. You have to have an attorney to open the                 estate account. The attorney also has to publicize your passing in the newspaper or post publication at the county courthouse, to allow anyone to make a claim on your property. – It’s a complete       pain. 

????  ???? Make a list of all banks and account numbers, all investment institutions with account numbers, lists of credit cards, utility accounts, etc. Leave clear instructions as to how and when these things are paid. 

???? Make sure your heirs knows where life insurance policies are located. 

???? Make 100% sure SOMEONE knows your Apple ID, bank ID account logins and all passwords! A password keeper will streamline that – only one password needed to access all accounts. 

???? Make sure you have titles for all vehicles, campers, etc in the SAME PLACE. 

Set up a trust for intended beneficiaries that are too young, and appoint a trustee of said trust.

 

One thing we can’t forget to stress is to talk with those closest to you and make all your wishes are known. Talk to those whom you’ve designated, as well as those close to you whom you did not designate.  Do this to explain why your decisions were made and to avoid any lingering questions or hurt feelings. We hope this quick list lights a spark to encourage all your friends and family to take care of these things to make it easier for those we all leave behind.