It’s finally done.
Our wills, trusts and medical and healthcare directives, that is.
Three meetings with the attorney, a big chunk of money paid to said attorney and a blue binder with a lot of documents neatly hole-punched, sorted, divided and tidy. That is what our life looks like now.
It’s a very clean and clinical way to view life and what comes after it: death of one or both of you and what happens to your stuff when you’re no longer around to decide who gets what. Many people prefer to leave it to fate or their spouse or their kids to get it right. We don’t have kids who will fight over what happens to the dozens of cat toys in the cardboard box, or whether The Husband’s record collection is really worth anything (never mind that most of the singers are themselves deceased or unheard of in this age of digital superstars with single names) or why on earth any sane person would have three pasta machines, three coffee makers, three electric grinders and 20 wooden spoons in the kitchen. We each have family members who are either not interested in any of our business or should be removed from our business after we’re gone (and while we’re here, for that matter).
Putting it all in writing, from your bank accounts, passwords and insurance policies to who inherits the sparkly rings, necklaces and T-shirts, is something everyone needs. It keeps your business out of the probate court, prevents fighting among family and gives you a shot at some afterlife revenge: leaving relations you don’t relate to out of the will. Properly executed instructions mean your money and worldly goods can benefit others as cash or donations and live on after you’ve moved on to the next adventure, and not in a trash bin. This blog is about aging, but this subject shouldn’t be. We can be called away from this mortal world at any time, and those we love cannot honor our wishes if they don’t have directions. Take the time and spend the money to spell it out for those you presumably leave behind. Then work your ass off to outlive them.
Old Is Serious...Aging Is Hilarious 