Do this before you die… It will make all the difference to loved ones…

Do this before you die… It will make all the difference to your loved ones…

Failing to plan for your death can screw things up big time…

The New York Times reports the family of a deceased veteran almost had to put his corpse in cold storage for six months. They couldn’t bury him in Arlington National Cemetery until they produced his DD 214 form (a certificate proving his honorable service with the military). The family had never even heard of a DD 214 before… By sheer chance, they found it as a bookmark in one of his books. Don’t let this situation happen to you. It may not be a fun task… but planning for your demise or that of your loved ones is critical. Keep in mind the following important points:

1. If you’ve made your own burial details, ensure you have shared these written plans with your family.

2. Establish a will or a “living trust.” If you own out of state real estate or a family business, a trust may be superior. Otherwise a will may be fine. Talk to a lawyer to decide what is best for your situation.

 

3. An unclear will may be worse than no will at all. You may give unintended parties a claim on your assets if you’re not careful and precise.

 

4. Establish a living will and/or durable power of attorney in someone you trust to make end-of-life decisions while you are incapacitated.

 

5. Grant financial power of attorney to someone you trust. In general, this person should be different from the person who has power of attorney in health-related issues.

 

6. Distribute all your directives to as many people as possible: your doctors, family members, lawyers, et al.

 

7. List your passwords/logins for everything of import.

 

8. Maintain tax records for the deceased for several years. Yes, the IRS does audit dead people…

 

9. Include a medical history for your posterity to know what genetic predispositions they may have.

 

10. List what companies (if any) auto-debit from your bank or credit card.

 

11. Explain all the ins and outs of your house: the alarm system, the sprinklers, etc.

 

12. This one is special: Think about writing letters to your loved ones to be read after your death. It can help ease their grief at your passing. 
Operating out of the Newark and Trenton, New Jersey, offices of the government and business consulting services company Duane Morris Government Strategies, Martin Milita serves as a senior director handling government affairs in New Jersey. Admitted to the bar in New Jersey, Martin Milita received a juris doctor from the James E. Beasley School of Law at Temple University. Martin works closely with the Duane Morris International Law firm on many issues. Martin Milita is a Life Member of the 24 th Infantry Association "First to Fight" and the New Jersey Naval Militia Foundation.