Are you ready to go?

Well, I have to admit, I've done happier posts than this one...

Sorry it's been so long between posts but there's been a lot going on our corner of the world and not all of it very good. In recent weeks we've had 3 friends and neighbors who have passed on. Because of that, we've talked internally here about "what if it were us?".

Ultimately, aside from the personal sadness that our families would encounter, I think that I have a good amount of information in place so that my wife or other family members wouldn't have to struggle greatly to take care of the loose ends created by my passing. I'd like to tell you what I've done to try and make it easier on my family when my time comes.

To begin with, I purchased a good fire safe. All my best plans would be for naught if my archived documents were not kept in secure locations. And, I don't feel that this list should be stored digitally so I hand wrote much of my info and have copies in 2 locations.

On to the details, I first listed all my professional contacts. Names and phone numbers for those who help me personally and professionally. Our Pastors, lawyer, accountant, insurance agent, banker, investment advisers, anyone who has influence in, or knowledge of, any details of my business or our private affairs.

Next, I have listed the details for all important accounts. Account location and account number along with a current date and an account balance on that date.

My final "list" was to copy all the important cards in my wallet. Driver's license, credit cards, membership cards, anything that would need to be stopped, closed or canceled in the event of my demise.

Once all these items were done, I made sure that 2 trusted people knew they existed, where they were located and how to access them. I also made sure that these 2 people knew where our will and other personal docs (health proxy, DNR statement, organ donor statement, etc) were located.

Please understand, I'd rather write about baseball or gardening or almost anything. But I have watched some people suffer terribly because, after the passing of their spouse or other family member, they had no idea what to do to tidy up their estate details and I just don't want others to have to suffer similarly.

Try hard to be ready to go so that those closest to you don't have to clean up your mess.