No one wants to think about losing a loved one. And if we avoid even thinking about such a tragedy, of course we also avoid preparing for it financially.
However, no matter how sad and uncomfortable this conversation may be, it should still take place. A truly comprehensive financial plan must consider and prepare for losing a loved one. It may not happen to every client, but it is a reality for many. There are certain actions you can take today to plan for the unexpected death of yourself, your spouse, or the both of you. As hard as it may be, neglecting to think this through would be essentially neglecting your spouse, children, and family should something happen.
Creating A Plan
Outside of the emotional loss when a loved one passes, the most impacting loss usually has to do with income. Having a plan for making up the lost income from the unexpected death of a spouse is an important aspect of any financial plan that must be thought through. For most, this income can be made up through a combination of life insurance, existing assets, Social Security, and other survivorship benefits. The purpose of creating a plan that takes into consideration all of your resources is to show you whether or not you will be able to maintain the same lifestyle as before, for how long will your resources last, and where gaps might be.
If you look at potential scenarios in advance, you will be able to think through different strategies that could be options in the event of an unexpected death. For example, if you see a gap exist to cover your mortgage, you may want to purchase an additional policy to make sure you are covered.
In addition, it helps to consider your expenses as it relates to your plan. Understanding your fixed and variable expenses will allow you to be flexible in the future if there is a need to downsize your lifestyle.
Creating A Will
A will is an important tool in estate planning, in which you can outline exactly what is to happen to your property, such as investment accounts, real estate, and other personal belongings. In addition, your will dictates guardianship to your children. By creating a will, you are taking control of your most personal and prized possessions in case you pass away. Without a properly documented will, the State decides what happens to everything mentioned above, which usually leads to hardship and undue stress on your family. It is important to note that wills can easily be updated and we recommend doing so from time to time, especially throughout different life transitions.
Naming A Power Of Attorney (POA)
There are a few different flavors of a power of attorney (POA). First, there is what is called a financial power of attorney, who, when named, would be designated to handle your financial affairs upon your death (or if you are deemed incompetent to do so yourself). There is also what is called a durable healthcare power of attorney, which would be someone designated to make decisions you cannot make related to your health and well-being. The durable healthcare POA is typically associated with your advanced healthcare directive, which is a living will stating your wishes for medical care.
Organizing Important Information
Another often overlooked part of preparing for an unexpected death is maintaining all of your important information so someone else can retrieve it someday. Oftentimes, one spouse may handle finances, budgeting, etc., which results in the other spouse being out of the loop. This is a major issue if there is no record or system that maintains a list of important parties, log-in information for accounts, expenses and bills, and other critical items.
Some items that may fall within this category include contact information for your estate planning attorney, financial planner, insurance agent, etc., and inventory of legal documents and assets, with details as to their locations. Finally, we recommend using a password manager to securely keep a record of all of your family’s banking account information, investment account credentials, digital assets, etc.
What To Do Next?
Rather than allowing this difficult topic to overwhelm you, think about the peace that will come when you’ve checked off the boxes we’ve discussed. And of course you don’t have to walk this path alone. Our team at 1on1financial would be honored to guide you as you make these vital decisions. If you’d like to start a conversation with us to plan for your future as well as the unexpected, please call our office today at 909-981-1720 or simply click here to schedule a free 15-minute introductory phone call.
About Philip
Philip A. Board MSFS, CFS, is a retirement planning specialist and the founder of 1on1financial, an independent comprehensive investment firm serving individuals and businesses throughout the United States. He is also the owner and CEO of Medi-cal Benefits.