Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013
Death book....
Sounds strange, doesn't it? But, do you have one? You should. I came across this idea one day when I was surfing the internet and it's great.
Typically, everyone tries to keep all of their important documents organized in some fashion. But, does everyone in your family know where your important documents are located? For instance, say you're in an accident and can't make healthcare decisions for yourself. Does your appointed agent already have a copy of your healthcare power of attorney? If not, does your agent know where you keep that document? The document won't do any good if it's filed away where no one can locate it.
That's where the death book comes into play. Pull all of your important documents such as copies of your will, trusts, powers of attorney, car titles, life insurance policies, car insurance policies, investment accounts, essentially anything important that someone would need if the worst happened to you. Organize everything in a three ring binder and note where the original of each document is located. Include a sheet that lists all of your important contact information such as doctors, attorney, accountant, etc.
Lastly, label this book in some way that indicates how important it is....call it death book or in case of emergency book....just call it something that makes it obvious that this thing is important. Then, make sure your family and/or agent knows about the book and it's location.
Doing this will help everyone in the event there is an accident or something happens to you. Now...go do this before you forget!
Be happy everyone and stay safe!!!
Letisha Luecking Orlet
www.letishalueckingorlet.com
Typically, everyone tries to keep all of their important documents organized in some fashion. But, does everyone in your family know where your important documents are located? For instance, say you're in an accident and can't make healthcare decisions for yourself. Does your appointed agent already have a copy of your healthcare power of attorney? If not, does your agent know where you keep that document? The document won't do any good if it's filed away where no one can locate it.
That's where the death book comes into play. Pull all of your important documents such as copies of your will, trusts, powers of attorney, car titles, life insurance policies, car insurance policies, investment accounts, essentially anything important that someone would need if the worst happened to you. Organize everything in a three ring binder and note where the original of each document is located. Include a sheet that lists all of your important contact information such as doctors, attorney, accountant, etc.
Lastly, label this book in some way that indicates how important it is....call it death book or in case of emergency book....just call it something that makes it obvious that this thing is important. Then, make sure your family and/or agent knows about the book and it's location.
Doing this will help everyone in the event there is an accident or something happens to you. Now...go do this before you forget!
Be happy everyone and stay safe!!!
Letisha Luecking Orlet
www.letishalueckingorlet.com
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Are you aware of your household financial situation?
Who handles the finances in your marriage? If you don't, do you know what's happening with the money? Do you know what kind of bills you have? Do you know what your spouse makes each pay period? Do you know what type of investments you have?
Whether you are divorcing or not, you should know the financial situation of your household. I think it's a great idea for one person to handle the money. Frequently, that just makes life easier. However, it's also very important for the person not handling the money to know what's out there. Obviously, in the case of divorce, it is extremely important to know the financial situation. You need to know what assets and liabilities will need to be split between the parties.
However, what a lot seem to forget, it is also important in the event of an emergency. If the spouse that handles all of the money is hit by a bus and either dies or is critically injured, how will the other spouse survive? Everyone should be fully aware of what money is kept where, the existence of investments and life insurance policies, what type of debt exists....as well as how all of these things are titled. The surviving spouse will need to access these things in order to keep the household afloat while the injured spouse is recovering or, in the event of death, move on with life.
If you take care of your finances online, make sure there is always a current list of login ids and passwords for the other spouse--remember to include the answers to security questions. This does go against conventional wisdom of never write these things down, but you have to do something! I believe there are computer programs that allow for storage of passwords, etc. and it is secured. That might be a better way. Remember to include the website addresses as well. It's also a good idea to keep a simple list of assets and liabilities. This way your spouse always knows what it "out there" for the household.
I, honestly, didn't think this was an issue anymore and I've been surprised by how many people give all of this to the spouse to handle and then simply forget about it themselves. It really is so much easier to do it this way. And, you really can do it this way....just make sure there is some sort of document for the other person and that person knows where it is. That way, you're covered....just in case.
www.letishalueckingorlet.com
Whether you are divorcing or not, you should know the financial situation of your household. I think it's a great idea for one person to handle the money. Frequently, that just makes life easier. However, it's also very important for the person not handling the money to know what's out there. Obviously, in the case of divorce, it is extremely important to know the financial situation. You need to know what assets and liabilities will need to be split between the parties.
However, what a lot seem to forget, it is also important in the event of an emergency. If the spouse that handles all of the money is hit by a bus and either dies or is critically injured, how will the other spouse survive? Everyone should be fully aware of what money is kept where, the existence of investments and life insurance policies, what type of debt exists....as well as how all of these things are titled. The surviving spouse will need to access these things in order to keep the household afloat while the injured spouse is recovering or, in the event of death, move on with life.
If you take care of your finances online, make sure there is always a current list of login ids and passwords for the other spouse--remember to include the answers to security questions. This does go against conventional wisdom of never write these things down, but you have to do something! I believe there are computer programs that allow for storage of passwords, etc. and it is secured. That might be a better way. Remember to include the website addresses as well. It's also a good idea to keep a simple list of assets and liabilities. This way your spouse always knows what it "out there" for the household.
I, honestly, didn't think this was an issue anymore and I've been surprised by how many people give all of this to the spouse to handle and then simply forget about it themselves. It really is so much easier to do it this way. And, you really can do it this way....just make sure there is some sort of document for the other person and that person knows where it is. That way, you're covered....just in case.
www.letishalueckingorlet.com
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Community Outreach
I'm very excited to start spreading the news about a presentation I am helping put together. A friend of mine, who is a nurse, and I are going to start presenting a program on end of life decisions. She will discuss with the group the decisions that will need to be made and how those decisions affect everyone involved. She is experienced in this area of health care and feels strongly that it is important for people to plan for these unexpected events.
I will be there to offer information on Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Property and Living Wills/Final Directives. I will also be able to provide these basic forms free of charge and assist in completing them.
Right now, we are putting the program together and looking for groups to present the program to. This is generally a subject that no one really wants to talk or think about. Many people likely consider this an issue to be dealt with by older people. However, it's important for everyone to think about these issues and plan for them.
For one moment, stop and think what would happen if you were in a catastrophic accident on your way to work this morning. I know, I know....not what you want to be thinking about at all. But, consider what would happen if you were alive but in a vegetative state. Do your loved ones know your wishes? What if you had a massive heart attack and ended up on life support in the hospital? Does your spouse know how to access all of the financial information? Does your spouse know what bills need to be paid and when?
These are the things you need to consider. It would be stressful enough if a loved one was in the hospital fighting for his or her life and then you realize that power bill wasn't paid, but you don't know where it is or how to even access the money to pay it. You want to make sure that your loved ones are able to survive until you get better or until they are able to recover from losing you. Plus, you want to make sure that your wishes are known to everyone and that those wishes are carried out.
I will definitely keep you posted about this project. If anyone has suggestions of groups we should meet with, please leave a comment.
Have a great day!
I will be there to offer information on Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Property and Living Wills/Final Directives. I will also be able to provide these basic forms free of charge and assist in completing them.
Right now, we are putting the program together and looking for groups to present the program to. This is generally a subject that no one really wants to talk or think about. Many people likely consider this an issue to be dealt with by older people. However, it's important for everyone to think about these issues and plan for them.
For one moment, stop and think what would happen if you were in a catastrophic accident on your way to work this morning. I know, I know....not what you want to be thinking about at all. But, consider what would happen if you were alive but in a vegetative state. Do your loved ones know your wishes? What if you had a massive heart attack and ended up on life support in the hospital? Does your spouse know how to access all of the financial information? Does your spouse know what bills need to be paid and when?
These are the things you need to consider. It would be stressful enough if a loved one was in the hospital fighting for his or her life and then you realize that power bill wasn't paid, but you don't know where it is or how to even access the money to pay it. You want to make sure that your loved ones are able to survive until you get better or until they are able to recover from losing you. Plus, you want to make sure that your wishes are known to everyone and that those wishes are carried out.
I will definitely keep you posted about this project. If anyone has suggestions of groups we should meet with, please leave a comment.
Have a great day!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Valentine's Day....Post Divorce
The first Valentine's Day after divorce will likely be difficult....whether you asked for the divorce or not. It is likely to be an emotion filled day. Try to get out ahead of this and plan something for yourself so you don't end up sitting at home having your own personal pity party. Here are some suggestions for you:
- Plan an activity for yourself....something you love to do or something you have always wanted to do, but your ex-spouse didn't want to do. Get out there and DO SOMETHING! Live your life and enjoy yourself!
- Go the opposite route and do something that is completely unrelated to your past.
- Consider making this a volunteer day for yourself. Help out at a local shelter or food bank. This should warm your heart and bring some perspective to your life. You will see that there are problems so much bigger than your divorce.
- Get together with friends.
- Don't stay home alone and feel sorry for yourself. This will not help you. Thinking about the past will not help you and thinking about what all of the "happy couples" are doing will not help you.
- Make the day about you. Love yourself. Love your friends. Love your dog and/or cat. Call an old friend that you haven't talked to in awhile and just say hi.
Life is full of little moments that you should grab and make the most out of them. You have control of your own happiness. There will be lots of firsts again after your divorce. It is important for you to not dwell on what was or what could have been. Keep your chin up and focus on the positive things in your life. Love yourself. You can and will recover.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Time: A Priceless Commodity
So, the life of a small town lawyer is often very interesting. It does take some time to get to know people. But, as my practice grows, I get to know more and more people. I am finding this to be a very small world and I love it more and more each day.
For over 10 years, I worked in Clayton, Missouri and I always had a commute of at least 30 minutes one way. More recently, my commute was a solid hour on a perfect weather day one way. Now, I work closer to home and my commute is only 15 to 20 minutes. That is so wonderful. There are no traffic jams and when it rains, no big deal, everyone keeps driving! So much of my life was spent wasted commuting to a job that I hated. My commute alone is enough to make me blissfully happy now.
I feel that I am very lucky to be able to start my own practice and that I have my husband to support me through this...and by support, I mean financial and emotional. I am trying to make this a success so that someday, he can quit his awful one hour commute each way and find something closer to home. It's amazing how much your outlook on life changes when you are doing something you enjoy AND it is close to home. Life becomes so much easier and you have so much more time. I now have more time to do anything I choose....whether it be working late, playing with the dogs, spending time with family, getting household chores done in the middle of the week, doing volunteer work....anything.
Sometimes, you have to weigh doing something you enjoy (or, at least, don't hate) closer to home and making a smaller salary against all of the negatives of working at that high paying job in the big city. Consider your quality of life. Cut down on material things. Take the time to enjoy your life instead of being constantly focused on the almighty dollar and material possessions. I firmly believe that if you do this, your life will improve in so many ways.
Starting and maintaining a law practice is stressful. But, I try to remember all of the positives to this small town practice and all of the reasons I wanted to have this type of practice. It warms my heart every day that I'm able to help someone through a difficult time. I love working in a small town where I'm able to walk not only to the courthouse, but also to the post office, the hairdresser, the flower shop, the post office, the bank and many other stores. People are friendly and nice. It's refreshing. I love it.
Sometimes, when I think about it, it does seem a little odd to me...I love my job, where I work, the people around me...I guess I'm still adjusting to it since I spent so long disliking all of those very same things. This is such an improvement and I encourage everyone who has the chance to make a positive change such a this to just do it. You won't regret it!
Letisha
www.letishalueckingorlet.com
For over 10 years, I worked in Clayton, Missouri and I always had a commute of at least 30 minutes one way. More recently, my commute was a solid hour on a perfect weather day one way. Now, I work closer to home and my commute is only 15 to 20 minutes. That is so wonderful. There are no traffic jams and when it rains, no big deal, everyone keeps driving! So much of my life was spent wasted commuting to a job that I hated. My commute alone is enough to make me blissfully happy now.
I feel that I am very lucky to be able to start my own practice and that I have my husband to support me through this...and by support, I mean financial and emotional. I am trying to make this a success so that someday, he can quit his awful one hour commute each way and find something closer to home. It's amazing how much your outlook on life changes when you are doing something you enjoy AND it is close to home. Life becomes so much easier and you have so much more time. I now have more time to do anything I choose....whether it be working late, playing with the dogs, spending time with family, getting household chores done in the middle of the week, doing volunteer work....anything.
Sometimes, you have to weigh doing something you enjoy (or, at least, don't hate) closer to home and making a smaller salary against all of the negatives of working at that high paying job in the big city. Consider your quality of life. Cut down on material things. Take the time to enjoy your life instead of being constantly focused on the almighty dollar and material possessions. I firmly believe that if you do this, your life will improve in so many ways.
Starting and maintaining a law practice is stressful. But, I try to remember all of the positives to this small town practice and all of the reasons I wanted to have this type of practice. It warms my heart every day that I'm able to help someone through a difficult time. I love working in a small town where I'm able to walk not only to the courthouse, but also to the post office, the hairdresser, the flower shop, the post office, the bank and many other stores. People are friendly and nice. It's refreshing. I love it.
Sometimes, when I think about it, it does seem a little odd to me...I love my job, where I work, the people around me...I guess I'm still adjusting to it since I spent so long disliking all of those very same things. This is such an improvement and I encourage everyone who has the chance to make a positive change such a this to just do it. You won't regret it!
Letisha
www.letishalueckingorlet.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)