Imagining something as dark as your death is never easy, but to ensure the financial future of your family, it’s a thought and conversation you must face. If you are the breadwinner of the household, and the bulk of your family’s livelihood depends on what you provide, that conversation becomes even more important.
No matter your stage in life, it is difficult to know where to start when it comes to discussing death and finances. But addressing some of the most common questions about this very serious subject can give you and your loved ones some peace of mind.
What Will Happen to My Debt?
Many people believe that after a family member’s death, any debt accumulated by them in life will be transferred to their next of kin. While death does not instantly wipe debt away, money owed is typically attached to an estate, not a family. This means that, as long as the debt isn’t under another family member’s name, your loved ones won’t suddenly owe money. Creditors can, however, claim some (or all, in extreme cases) of the deceased’s assets to pay off what is owed.
Of course, the goal is to have no debt all. But, sometimes the worst happens when we least expect it, and if your time suddenly comes, you can at least rest assured that your family will be safe from aggressive creditors, regardless of any financial troubles you experience.
Should I Consider Life Insurance?
Especially for households with a single breadwinner, life insurance should absolutely be looked into to mitigate any sudden loss of income. Having said that, you shouldn’t sign up for the first plan you find.
There are dozens of different life insurance policies available on the market, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Mortgage life insurance, for example, is a popular, affordable option that will pay off your house. It’s up to you and your family to determine what you can afford, and where priorities will lie after your death.
How Do I Create a Will?
Wills are much simpler than most people think. You don’t have to have a lawyer present, although you could use a local solicitors when writing a will if you feel better doing so, you don’t need an expensive software program to write it for you, and it doesn’t have to be a convoluted legal document dozens of pages long.
There are slight variations among states in what constitutes the legal definition a will, but generally, if you label a piece of paper as your will and sign it along with two witnesses (or three, depending on the state), it will be upheld in a court of law. That being said, the more detailed your will is, the easier the process will be for your family.
Make sure to include information such a desired executor (the person who carries out the will), any heirs, guardians for your dependents if necessary, as well as a list of your assets and how to divide them. In your introduction, explicitly state that this is your “last will and testament,” the date, that you are “of sound mind and body,” and that this draft overrides any previous versions. And, of course, once the will is written, make sure that your family knows where to find it.
What Else Can I Do?
Your will isn’t the only thing you family will need if something were to happen to you. It’s important to document all of your usernames, passwords, bank account numbers, deeds and titles, investment portfolios, and anything and everything else related to your financial assets in a single location. A few generations ago, individuals usually kept their money in only one or two places. Today, assets are more diversified than ever before. The more organized and transparent you are with your finances, the easier time your family will have locating your money and carrying out your will the way you intend.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Talk
At the end of the day, nothing is going to help your family prepare for the worst more than discussing the important details. If nothing else, such a conversation highlights just how much you care about those closest to you. Every aspect of your financial life should be approached with a strategy, and this is no different. Take the time to prepare, lay all of your fears and potential issues on the table, and you’ll be able to live a long, healthy life with a little less weight on your shoulders.
