Expert details 3 things family wants you to leave behind for them when you die

1081     0
Planning forward to help your loved ones for after you die can save them time and money (Image: Getty Images)
Planning forward to help your loved ones for after you die can save them time and money (Image: Getty Images)

Life is a journey filled with significant milestones, some of which bring happiness while others present difficult challenges. While we cannot predict the future, we can take steps to protect our loved ones from unnecessary stress and difficulties during life's ups and downs.

An expert studied thoughtful actions that can prevent leaving a chaotic legacy. These three valuable contributions can truly bring about powerful changes. By bravely having difficult conversations before things get worse, you provide your loved ones with guidance to navigate life's challenges.

Carol Roth, the visionary behind the Future File legacy and wishes planning system, has encountered firsthand the profound influence of proper groundwork and has identified three priceless bequests to bestow upon your family – gifts that transcend mere monetary value.

For all the latest news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US

Expert details 3 things family wants you to leave behind for them when you die qhiqqkihiqktinvAn expert has found three main things you can do to make your passing easier for your close ones (Getty Images)

Clarity regarding your wishes

It's only human to evade contemplation of accidents, ageing, or mortality. However, the emotional and financial toll on our cherished ones can prove immeasurable if our intentions remain vague. Articulating your preferences for medical choices, end-of-life arrangements, and estate allocation represents an act of profound affection that can spare your family a lifetime of remorse and disputes.

Mum's touching gesture to young son who died leaves Morrisons shopper in tearsMum's touching gesture to young son who died leaves Morrisons shopper in tears

A personal anecdote drives this point home. Ms Roth said in an opinion piece for Fox News: "When my father was putting together the prototype for our legacy and wishes planning system, Future File, we had a discussion regarding his wishes in case he was ever on life support. His first directive was, 'you decide,' and I communicated that I did not want that responsibility or weight on my shoulders.

"He agreed and his next decision was, 'have the machines keep me alive forever.' When I asked if that is what he really wanted, he thought more about it. His ultimate wish was to have two different doctors confirm that he would not return to a normal life and that would be enough to rely on should a situation like that occur.

"About six months after that discussion, my father was in a freak accident and ended up on life support in that very same situation we had discussed and for which we had prepared. After consulting with multiple doctors that he was in fact 'brain dead,' when we took him off of life support my sister and I knew we were following his wishes."

Expert details 3 things family wants you to leave behind for them when you dieGiving your loved ones access to vital information will save them from a lot of trouble after you die (Getty Images)

Access to vital information

In the era of digital prowess, unhindered access to vital information is paramount. Your loved ones should not grapple with labyrinthine paths to locate medical records, financial papers, or access codes. By harmonising your essential data within a legacy and wishes planning system, you forge an indispensable lifeline for your family, according to Ms. Roth.

Ponder the solace you could extend to your family by guaranteeing their seamless access to critical particulars during moments of adversity. Medical histories, financial accounts, wills, and even digital account credentials can all be methodically organised for their convenience. An anticipatory approach to information sharing reflects your considerateness and aids in streamlining the intricate aftermath of life-altering events.

Ms Roth said: "Whatever they might need to know, organising this in advance can save your loved ones hundreds of hours of time (something again my father did for me and my sister)."

A tidy living space

Material possessions might encapsulate sentimental worth, yet they can also become a burden. Accumulating possessions over the years could potentially leave behind a legacy of disorder that your cherished ones would eventually grapple with. By periodically decluttering and gifting cherished items while you are still present, you partake in sharing the delight of these possessions and evade bequeathing an overwhelming task.

Envision the relief that would envelop your family if they were absolved from sorting through mounds of items, pondering their relevance or value. By conscientiously managing your possessions in the present, you alleviate your loved ones from the ordeal of making arduous choices while grappling with grief.

Ms Roth concluded: "While it is never fun to think about these things and you may be hesitant to take action today, if you don’t, your loved ones will have to spend even more time doing so in the future."

Vassia Barba

Print page

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus