We go through life engaging in a variety of experiences. We love. We hurt. We develop daily routines. Some live prosperous lives, while other struggles. Families bond and others disengage.
We have those talks; you know the ones when we discuss who we like or dislike, express opinions on a variety of subjects, and share thoughts of love.
We shine a light on memorable moments and conversations and turn the light off on others due to a lack of comfort. However, the topic often left out of conversations due to the discomfort is the subject of death.
Yes. Death is often left in the dark. Why is this subject worth discussing now? Because I encounter too many families who have loved ones dieing, but relatives and friends are placed in a compromising position due to one's previous discomfort with the issue.
Everyone is going to die at some point. Whether or not we are going to die is not the issue. The issue is the lack in preparation for death.
Life Insurance
Life insurance is a critical need. This is the insurance everyone should have. It is just as important for children to be covered. No one knows when they are going to die. However, the family should have some sort of financial assistance when this happens. Life insurance will help to avoid debt for your family when you die.
Make certain the amount of insurance taken out will be a good amount for your family. If you hope to have a $10,000 funeral, do not have a $5,000 life insurance policy. Understand your policy. So many people purchase life insurance policies without completely understanding the specifics.
Make certain this policy is worth your investment. This would include policies through your job. If the policy will no longer uphold when you leave the job, seek out an additional policy.
Advance Directives
Advance Directives identify the choices your family and physician will make in the event of a health crisis. Advance Directives include Directives to Physician and Family or Surrogates, Medical Power of Attorney, Out of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Order, and Declaration for Mental Health Treatment.
Directives to Physician and Family/Surrogates
The Directives to Physician and Family or Surrogates is a written form which expresses your desires in the event you have a medical crisis and you are not able to speak for yourself. This is recommended to be completed once a person enters adulthood.
This directive will instruct your family on whether to pursue aggressive treatment or to seek comfort measures only. This does not have to be completed with a lawyer. Some states have designed the form to only need witness or to be signed before a notary. Research your state's laws on advance directives to determine if you need a lawyer for completed Directives to Physician and Family or Surrogates.
Power of Attorney
Power of Attorney is a form to be completed in order to designate someone to make medical and financial decisions for you if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. The actual form allows for at lease two alternates just in case the person you designated is not able to make decisions for you. This form, just like the Directives to Physician and Family or Surrogates, in some states does not need to be completed through a lawyer.
I do, however, recommend you complete this with a lawyer even if your state does not require it. This is my recommendation because a complete Power of Attorney should include medical and financial decisions that a lawyer would have sure competence about explaining to you and assuring you understand what you are agreeing to sign.
Out of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Order
Out of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Order is a form which needs to be signed by you, your physician, and two witnesses in the event you have an irreversible condition and do not want to receive CPR, life support, etc. If you do not want to be resuscitated, this form is highly recommended. Otherwise, you will probably be resuscitated if a crisis occurs. This form does not need to be completed with a lawyer; you should be able to obtain it from your state's website or other local sources.
Declaration for Mental Health Treatment
The Declaration for Mental Health Treatment would absolutely need to be completed with a lawyer. This will instruct a mental health facility what type of treatment you would like if you are mentally incapacitated.
Last Will & Testament
Dying wills (Last Will & Testament) should be completed with a lawyer. Some people do dying wills informally. However, this poses an opportunity to family members who do not like the outcome to challenge the fact of the will not technically being legal.
Any possessions that will remain after your death of sentimental value should be given to someone in legal written form. This will cause less family conflict over your possessions. You will choose who gets what.
