868 - Everyone needs a Will

I've said it before, your estate plan is your final love letter to your family.

Your will or trust is about the decisions you make so your loved ones won't have to, at a time when they are least able.

Too many people pass away without letting their loved ones know their wishes.

We often hear about famous people who have died intestate (without a will).

The following people died without tying up the loose ends, to say the least.

Here are a few:

John Denver

Michael Jackon

Prince

Aretha Franklin

Kurt Cobain

Martin Luther King Jr.

Bob Marley

Heath Ledger

Howard Hughes

Sonny Bono

and even Abraham Lincoln!!

If there are people you love, you talk to them about your final wishes, It's that simple.

It doesn't help to ignore the unavoidable.

My grandfather was a shining example of showing how much you love your family.

My mother went to be with him his last few days. He was adamant about not dying in the hospital, so she took him home. He passed peacefully 2 days later.

No sooner had my mother posted his obituary when there came a knock at the door.

A young man stood there holding a signed, notarized bill of sale and title for my grandfather's car.

He politely told my mother, "Mr. Larkin told me to come pick up the car when he passed. I bought it 2 weeks ago".

My grandfather was a meticulous man. His entire estate was completely organized and finalized.

He had sold his house a month before he passed.

The funeral was completely paid for, down to the dinner we had at his favorite restaurant, the shot of Bourbon we raised in his honor, and even the tip for the server.

We celebrated his life!

Preparing your will is not a morbid event. In fact, you can have fun with it.

You can find ways to make your loved ones smile and be grateful although you are no longer there.

Do you have your estate documents in place?