Unfortunately, We all know that death can occur suddenly; and so I ask all my Clients if they have a “Survivors Guide?” Most ask me; “What’s a Survivors Guide?”
A “Survivors Guide” is just what the name implies; it’s a guide to help survivors in case of ones death.
Like a GPS it instantly provides the Survivor with access and direction to needed information. The kind your Survivor will need to know after you are gone.
Death has a way of throwing us all off balance. It’s challenging even for the toughest people to act when a death has occurred. Take a moment and ponder what I just said; imagine how you might feel given the situation of losing a husband, wife or some other loved one.
Within hours of death…Survivors are often asked to provide information instantly. The worse part is that most are upset and don’t have the ability nor the time to search for it. A funeral director or hospital may need to know your military records for burial or life insurance benefits. The Survivor might be asked for your Social Security Number and birthdates, driver’s license numbers and policy numbers to claim life insurance benefits. Marriage certificates may be asked for to prove spousal benefits. The Survivor may need to access your email account to correspond with important parties. They’ll need to know where the safe deposit box and key is located. How to contact your attorney to settle Wills and Trusts. How to get at your CD’s, 401k, IRA’s and brokerage accounts for transferring assets. They may need your mortgage loan information. They may need to access cancelled checks to prove important things like life insurance premiums have been paid. The list goes on and on. One thing is for sure; they’re upset their world has been turned upside down. They need a central location from which to find information. That’s where the “Survivors Guide” makes it easier for them. You’d want one if they suddenly died.
Without a “Survivor’s Guide” your survivor will be forced into the position of having to look for needed information and trying to figure it out. Picture your poor wife or your kid trying to figure things out. You need to complete one "Survivors Guide" for each individual in your family. DO NOT
do a joint form, one for each individual.
Let me ask…Do you have a completed “Survivors Guide?” What else are your missing?
I ask my clients why they choose to work with me. They tell me that not having a Financial Planner is penny wise and pound-foolish. They point out that they are not Financial Planners, they are proficient and experienced in their professions but not in mine. You can get away with being an amateur kitchen cabinet installer. But, you cannot afford to be an amateur Financial Planner…too much is at stake, the price is too high for making the wrong decisions.
So, I ask…what is your retirement costing you or better yet what will it cost you?
Will you have enough income to survive retirement…or will you outlive your income?
Are you needlessly losing money on CD’s? (Certificates of Disappointment)
After you pay your age 70 IRS mandated RMD’s will there be anything left for your beneficiaries?
Are you losing money in the Stock Market? Do you have enough working years to make back the
losses?
Are you overpaying income taxes? Are you losing Social Security income as a result?
Speaking of Social Security; have you maximized your Social Security benefits? Why not?
These are things that can be fixed, but only if we talk about them.
Click below to Schedule a Meeting and get your Free copy of the "Survivors Guide" today!
