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There are those peaceful moments in life – early summer, sitting on the porch swing with your Labrador lying in the grass. Your arm is around the most important person in the world as you both watch the sun slowing descend, the colors of red and orange are so vivid, and no photograph can do it justice. Oh the feelings of those moments when your mind is free of burdens as you both reminisce of the days passed. Your thoughts drift to your children, how each one was different. You remark about their first steps, how you were just as terrified to let go of their bike, as they were terrified of your letting it go. Oh those falls….the scrapped knees and tears, and encouraging them to get back on because the next time you promised they would do better. Then school and the first day of kindergarten, walking them to the door, trying to hold back the tears least you would snatch them up in your arms, never willing to let them go. And then, in an instant they’re gone, building their own lives. They marry, buy a home and start their own families, and, in what seems to be seconds instead of years, the cycle of life begins anew.
None of us can control the passing of time. Our days are consumed with family, work, friends and activities. The pace of our lives moves ever faster. There are always things we want to do, and then there is the dreaded TO DO LIST.
Every household has one, whether it’s on your fridge, in your phone or in the most secure place ever conceived – your spouse’s mind – never forgotten only updated. The list can contain the mundane tasks like fixing the door that sticks or the faucet that only drips when someone else shuts it off. The nature of the TO DO LIST is to remind all of us of things that need to be completed to make our lives more enjoyable. So I ask this question, does your list contain things like wills, funeral arrangements, trusts, living wills, powers of attorney, life insurance and general knowledge of your family’s financial affairs?
In my conversations with people about this subject there is one consistent theme……People just don’t like to talk about dying. Often one spouse is willing but the other isn’t. They won’t talk about it because it causes them pain – pain they don’t want to face so they just refuse to act even though they know they are simply putting off the inevitable. In a heathy marriage we spend years devoting our daily efforts to take care of the person we love the most. Why then would we not want to do all that we could, overcoming our fears and trepidations, to ensure that our spouse is taken care of emotionally and financially when we’re gone?
One of our goals as Financial Planners is to help clients overcome this fear, to ensure that both spouses are fully aware of their financial status, and all necessary documents are in place. The transition from being married to widowed is heartache enough, that alone accentuates the need for proper planning and awareness of your financial position before you are thrust into a crisis.
The key is not to wait until your spouse has passed, but to meet with a Financial Planner who can give both of you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions now that will benefit one of you in the future. Don’t wait!! Contact a financial professional today.
We all believe there will be another sunset.
Disclaimer: Do not construe anything written in this post or this blog in its entirety as a recommendation, research, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. Everything in this post is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. I or my affiliates may hold positions in securities mentioned in the blog. Please see my Disclosure page for full disclaimer.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar-main”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
