What Does It Mean to Get Your Affairs In Order?

Get Your Affairs in Order

Suggesting to a person they should get their affairs in order can be taken the wrong way. Most people believe the only person who ever gets this advice, or should get it, is suffering from a terminal illness. But I will say emphatically this is not the case. Life becomes precarious as we age, but it’s precarious at any age. Everyone should be prepared for the inevitable.

It Isn’t Going to Happen to Me: Death Is a Delicate Subject to Bring Up

Few of us think we’re going to be subjected to crippling health problems, dementia, or disability, as we age, nor do we want to discuss our own death. To avoid using that word when talking to clients or even the phrase “estate planning,” inquire about the state of their affairs over time but be specific, or else people will say everything is fine. 

What Questions Should You Ask Over Time?

Do you have an advance medical directive is my number one question. Every state allows for these, and you can usually download the form from your state’s website. Go here to find the form required by your state: aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/. As part of this document, you can give permission in advance for your doctor or lawyer to talk with your caregiver as needed.

As brash as this sounds, an advance directive answers the big question: who can legally pull the plug on me. Very few people want to be kept alive physically after brain function ceases. But you must have made your wishes known when you were mentally competent in a signed, legal document. You will need to decide upon many issues when executing an advance medical directive. The US National Institute on Aging has a list here: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/.

Gathering and Sorting Important Papers

Even if you aren’t wealthy, you still want to list your bank and credit card accounts and insurance policies and gather your essential records. Put your important papers and copies of legal documents in one place and tell a trusted family member or your attorney where they are. [1] Your attorney will typically keep the original of your will if you ask them. If you have scanned lots of these records into your computer, someone needs to have the password.

Everyone fears Alzheimer’s Disease

Says NIA, “Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. It is not a normal part of aging.” Just the contemplation of this disease is enough to frighten a person. This is especially true if you have had relatives or friends who have this terrible illness.

I have seen people I care slowly lose touch with life until they don’t know who I am or who they are. But sticking your head in the sand doesn’t protect you or your loved ones from Alzheimer’s. The best way you can help your clients is by giving them this link to an unbiased source of factual information:  https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers

Getting your affairs in order isn’t difficult. It may be time-consuming if the papers you need are scattered all over the place, but it isn’t difficult. The best reason you can suggest to your clients why they need to do this is less for them, and more for those, they leave behind. You don’t want a terrible illness or your death to cause more anguish than it already will cause.

Remember: getting your affairs in order isn’t just about you.

Resources:

[1] https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/getting-your-affairs-order#important-papers

Contributing Writer: Subject Matter Expert Charles McCain

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