Why Should You Have End-of-Life Planning in Place?

Sadly, only 37% of American seniors have advanced directives in place for end-of-life planning in case they are incapacitated or face a sudden illness. However, some of the best legal action you can take today is to have end-of-life planning services from a lawyer. Below are some key end-of-life planning actions you can take before an emergency strikes.

Prepare Your Home For Resale

If you’re planning on selling your home after you pass away, consider completing renovations ahead of time. Some of the best renovations you can consider are fencing. Aluminum fencing is attractive partly because it requires relatively minimal maintenance compared to other types of fencing materials. Wood fencing can also add curb appeal and value to your home. If your property doesn’t have a fence, putting one in could be a good investment before you sell.

Some other things you may want to do to prepare your home for sale are:

• Paint the interior and exterior of your home
• Update any old appliances
• Fix any cracked or chipped tiles
• Install new light fixtures
• Update your landscaping

Making these updates to your home can make it more appealing to buyers and increase its value. Completing these items before you pass away can take the burden off of your loved ones and make the selling process go more smoothly.

Create a Living Will

A living will is a legal document that outlines your wishes for medical treatment if you cannot communicate them yourself. You might not be able to communicate due to an illness, injury, or even just old age. You can specify the types of medical treatment you do and do not want to receive in your living will. You can also appoint a health care proxy or someone who will make decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so.

Having a living will in place is essential because it ensures that your wishes will be carried out even if you cannot communicate them yourself. A living will can give you and your loved one peace of mind knowing that you are receiving the type of care you want.

Update Your Beneficiaries

One of the most important things you can do for end-of-life planning is to update your beneficiaries. Your beneficiaries are the people who will inherit your assets after you pass away. Beneficiaries can include your home, life insurance policy, retirement accounts, and more.

You should update your beneficiaries regularly to ensure they are still the people you want to inherit your assets. You may also want to consider updating your beneficiaries if you have a significant life event, such as getting married, divorced, or having children.

Making these minor updates to your end-of-life planning can save your loved ones a lot of headaches and heartache. By taking these steps now, you can ensure that your wishes are carried out and that your loved ones are taken care of.

Draft a Will

55% of Americans die without a will or estate plan, making it difficult to divide assets after death. If you don’t have a will, your assets will be divided according to your state’s intestacy laws. These laws often don’t consider the wishes of the deceased or their family, which can lead to conflict and litigation.

A will is a legal document that outlines how you want your assets to be distributed after you die. A will can be as simple or complex as you want, but it’s essential to have one in place to ensure your wishes are carried out. You can also use your will to appoint a guardian for your minor children and establish a trust.

End-of-life planning can seem daunting, but taking the time to do it is important. By taking these steps now, you can make things easier for your loved ones later on. End-of-life planning doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes, the simplest legal preparations can make the biggest difference for you and your family.