Search Results for: blog writing down your wishes

You (Yes, You) Can Write Your Family History

Just as not all writers are genealogists, not all genealogists are writers. What, then, is a genealogist to do if he or she is not a writer yet wishes to write his or her family history? The first thing that you can do is to dismiss the idea that since you are not much of a “writer”, you cannot write your family history. That is simply not true. In fact, who better to write the family history than you? You are uniquely qualified in that you have done all the research and you know the information inside and out. Once … Continue reading →

Who Will Take Care Of Your Children?

Did you ever stop to think of what will happen to your children if something should happen to you? A touchy topic, I know, but one that must be addressed. If you are divorced your most likely answer will be, “to the other parent”. What if you are not divorced? What if you are widowed instead? What if the other parent does not want to be involved in the children’s lives? What if the other parent is not physically, financially, emotionally, or mentally fit to care for the children? Then what? If you have not already taken care of this … Continue reading →

Another Reason to Encourage Your Kids to WRITE a Letter to Santa

In a previous blog I vented… rather, shared my feelings regarding the influx of websites encouraging kids to go high-tech and email their letters to Santa instead of writing them by hand and shipping them off via snail mail. Frankly, I find the whole Santa email idea a bit insulting. It’s a slap in the face of parents and teachers who work tirelessly to encourage children to practice their penmanship. Think about it; what better incentive to get your kindergartener to master spelling, printing and word order than actually putting pen (or pencil or crayon) to paper and jotting down … Continue reading →

Financial Preparedness Advice from Money Bloggers

One important part of preparing for the future is having your finances in order. The money blog here at families.com is a great resource for learning to budget your money, save, invest, and get out of debt. Here are some great articles to read that will help you be financially prepared for whatever life has to offer: Preparing for death: Writing Down Your Wishes Everyone should have a will, especially those with children or those married with children from a previous relationship. The Basics of Estate Planning For more information on starting a will or trust, read this article. Getting … Continue reading →

Writing down your wishes

Everyone should have a will. Sorry if I sound morbid this morning. Even if you are really young, or in great health, or won’t be dying for years and years yet, I still suggest you make up a will. If you have children, it is irresponsible not to have one. If you’ve been re-married and have children outside of your present marriage, you are doubly irresponsible if you don’t have a will. If you die before your spouse, and do not leave a will, it is very likely that your spouse will inherit everything, leaving nothing to your children. Not … Continue reading →

Do You Have a Living Will?

Many people don’t like to think about — or talk about — death. But it may be wise to think about the shape you’d like the end of your life to take now… before someone else has to make the decision for you. In the summer of 2001, my paternal grandmother passed away. It was somewhat unexpected — she had been living with Parkinson’s disease, but was largely stable. It was my paternal grandfather who had been very sick that same summer, and he was the one we were worried about. When Gramma died, we started making plans for her … Continue reading →

Bypass Trusts

First, I have to say, I love the lawyer I found to do mine and my husband’s wills. I highly recommend finding a good lawyer yourself to do your estate planning. Paying for good legal counsel to write up your will, is worth the money. Ask around your neighborhood, I am sure someone has a good recommendation. What impressed me about our lawyer was his advice, which I hope to also share with you. The key when making a will is to ensure you have covered all the basics of your current situation, and included sections that will cover changes … Continue reading →

Do you Need a Power of Attorney?

Most people envision a power of attorney as something you designate on your deathbed. Actually, this is the worst time to attempt this decision. When my husband and I completed our wills, the lawyer also had a file the paperwork for the power of attorney. My first thought was why? As my husband, can’t he already access all our bills and accounts anyway? Not completely… any joint assets like a house can’t be sold without the consent of both parties. Imagine a scenario where you were in an accident, unable to respond, and the bills were stacking up. Your spouse … Continue reading →

Do You Have a Will?

A horrible thing happened to a friend of mine. Her husband’s best friend died suddenly of a heart attack. He was only 40, active and slim. There was no heart disease in the family. It was a shock to all, one that put fear in our hearts and sent many to the doctor for a physical. Unfortunately, you just never know when disaster will strike. This is why people pay loads of money for insurance, they hope to never use. What is surprising is while most families carry home, car, and life insurance, they don’t bother to have a will. … Continue reading →

Life After Cancer: Spouses

Cancer is devastating for the patient and for the people close to the patient. In a recent survey from www.WebMD.com, more than half of the spouses of men with prostate cancer said that they took an active role in their husbands’ experience. Spouses of cancer patients often experience the same emotions the patients themselves do: fear, helplessness, anxiety, depression, and a loss of intimacy. Spouses who take an active role may supervise treatments and medications, help make treatment decisions, and act as support and morale booster. Many of the cancer survivor spouses said that the disease brought them closer together. … Continue reading →