Thinking Ahead

Week 1: Taking Inventory

Before we jump into establishing your final wishes, let’s take a moment to see where you are in the planning process. Much of your Thinking Ahead will require a variety of forms and information, and your loved ones will be thankful that you’ve told them where they can find such information in the event that you can’t tell them.

As you find these documents, make sure there is a single place where you can access them. If you feel uncomfortable keeping all your sensitive documents in one place, at least provide instructions to access those documents in one place. We will call this place your “Planning Box,” but it can be a safety deposit box (keep in mind it can be difficult to get into a safety deposit box after a passing due to probate), a file on your computer, the memento kit that comes with planning a cremation service through Cremation Society of Pennsylvania, or something else. Make sure your immediate family knows where this box is, and feel free to organize or personalize it however you like.

Talk About It

Your loved ones may be a less ready to Think Ahead than you are. They may tell you that they’ll be happy to take care of it, and that may be true. Explain to them that having a say in how you’re cared for is important to you and that you’re willing to include them in the planning process. However, remember that these are your plans, and that your opinions should come before theirs. A great way to include them this week could be to ask them for help searching for and organizing important documents.
Print the Checklist for Week 1: Taking Inventory

Day 1: Your Basic Bio

Who are you? Can you prove that? How? Identification documents will be one of the first things loved ones need when enacting plans on your behalf.

One of the reasons that end-of-life care can be delayed is that information about a person is missing. Putting this information in a safe place and alerting your loved ones to its location will help make end-of-life planning smooth and stress-free in the first hours and days after your plans take effect.

Gather these documents together in your Planning Box, and make sure you can reference them throughout the next few weeks. You may need some of this information while Thinking Ahead.

  • Gather the following documents
    • Birth certificate
    • Social security card
    • Copy of driver’s license
    • DD214 Form (if you’re a veteran)
    • A recent photo of you where you are identifiable
    • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
    • Prenuptial agreements (if applicable)
    • Divorce certificate (if applicable)
    • Divorce settlements (if applicable)
    • Copy of diploma from highest level of education

Day 2: Property

Today, we’re going to talk about the big, physical things you own and want to pass down to a spouse, child, or other loved one. Collect deeds, leases, and titles while also considering who should take these things when you’re done with them. For real estate, make sure you note how you own the property (is it fully bought, mortgaged, rented, or timeshared?), its address, and a way to get to it.

Don’t forget about pets! In the eyes of the law, they’re property, so make sure you record what kind of food, toys, and play your furry friend likes most. Also collect veterinarian records and record any allergies or medications they have.

  • Gather the following documents
    • House deed(s) or lease(s)
    • Other property deeds or leases
    • Vehicle titles
    • Current copies or wills and trusts (if applicable)
  • Write out instructions for care of any pets
  • List all physical subscriptions (newspaper, cable, utilities, etc.)
  • List all memberships (fraternal/greek organizations, volunteering, etc.)
  • List all items that require special care in your will

Day 3: Monetary Assets

Nothing starts a fight faster than a misplaced dollar, so making sure your assets are handled correctly after you pass is vital. Completing a will is only one part of that. If loved ones aren’t aware of accounts or debts, they can cut into your estate funds or put you at risk for identity theft.

Go through all your sources of income to figure out what you have. From there, you can start to get an idea of what options you have for covering your own end-of-life plans and what you will need to do to make sure those plans happen.

  • Gather information about the following
    • Bank accounts
    • Credit/debit cards
    • Investments (including stocks, businesses, etc.)
    • Pension plans
    • Retirement funds
    • Other government and employer benefits (including 401k)
  • List any debts, loans, or mortgages you owe
  • List locations of safety deposit boxes and other caches
  • Gather copies of recent tax returns

Day 4: Health

In order to care for you properly, doctors and loved ones may need access to information about your health. If there is ever a situation where you are unable to advocate for yourself, knowing about allergies, surgeries, implants, chronic conditions, and other aspects of your health could help doctors and those making decisions for you make the right choice.

Don’t forget your mental health as well. If you have depression, anxiety, PTSD or other mental health conditions, make sure to include those in your documentation. Mention what your common symptoms are and how you commonly make yourself comfortable if your condition affects daily life.

Include information about your medical history, especially if there are some health issues that are common in your family or that your loved ones may not know about. Even if these conditions are embarrassing or stigmatized, it’s important that the right people know at your time of need. Not only may they help you, but they could help a family member if any of those conditions are genetic.

  • List any prescriptions you take and where you keep them
  • List any health conditions that your loved ones may not know about
  • List any pacemakers, gold teeth, or other implants that your have
  • List all doctors you have and their contact information

Day 5: Insurance

Technically, insurance is optional. However, end-of-life expenses can be pricey, especially when it comes to healthcare and the impact of a loss on your loved ones. Having certain kinds of insurance options can help you maximize the money you can spend on your end-of-life care, your memorial services, and support for your loved ones.

Don’t feel pressured to buy something today, though. Just do a bit of research into what you have and what you don’t. If you have insurance, write down contact information so your loved ones know. If you don’t have a type of insurance that may be important for you, we will discuss what to do next week.

  • Gather information about the following
    • Life insurance
    • Home insurance
    • Vehicle insurance
    • Long-term care insurance
    • Funeral insurance

Day 6: Twilight Years

Seniors spend more on their health in their last few years than in their entire life combined, so it’s important to clarify how you want to spend that money and time now while you are physically and mentally well. While it is a tough discussion, make sure your family and loved ones know about your wishes and are willing to carry them out.

You probably know how sad and frustrating it can be to organize a parent’s or loved one’s living situation when they are no longer capable of caring for themselves. It can be especially difficult to figure out which ideas are in the elder’s best interests when they can’t advocate for themselves.

This is your opportunity to let loved ones know now how and where you want to live your twilight years. For today, assume that it is completely impossible for you to stay in your own home by yourself, and keep in mind the abilities and wishes of loved ones who may be caring for you.

  • Write down your answers to the following questions
    • Would you rather live with loved ones, in a nursing home, or elsewhere?
    • If you must stay in a hospital or hospice, where would you stay?
    • What is the minimum you must be able to do to live a meaningful life?
    • What kind of live-saving care would you NOT want?

Day 7: Digital Estate

These days, many people are storing vast amounts of personal information online. Protect yourself from identity theft by ensuring your accounts are properly handled.

The common advice for handling someone’s digital estate involves sharing your passwords with your loved ones. However, this is actually against most sites’ Terms of Use. Contacting the companies running your digital life (say, Facebook or Twitter) is the legal way to handle your accounts after you’re gone. Let loved ones know your username so they can relay that information to those companies.

  • Set up auto-deletion on Google accounts
  • List the following
    • Email accounts
    • Social media profiles
    • Online shopping sites you use frequently
    • Websites you own
    • Digital subscriptions (Netflix, gaming, etc.)