This month back in New York was about taking care of business.
I am cleaning house and made my first Will.
Defined Power of Attorney and did my health care proxy.
Had to think about what life and death means to me.
What things of market value & things with personal value
I have accumulated.
And who to leave my things.
How I want my physical being handled.
What kind of ceremony I would prefer after my departure.
It does not need to feel heavy with emotion.
It is all very practical and necessary.
After my father passed away, my family had to process much more than our emotional sense of loss.
It was a lot of business. Getting the estate valuated. Filling taxes (you've got 9 months from the day your loved one passes). Enacting and following through with the Last Will. All this after the immediate arrangements that must be made at the time of someone's passing. It all made me think I had to create these documents to make life easier for the family I leave behind.
I came up with a plan, but left things as flexible as possible.
To my surprise, it was a really good process for me to assess and
consider the things that are most important to me.
I signed. It is official. My Will is complete.
If anyone has the desire to get themselves set up,
I can recommend a great estate lawyer.
Just keep in mind, that NY state law dictates that without a Will in place,
the default is that everything goes to your parents.
(This may be just as you'd want it, or if not,
do yourself and loved ones a giant favor, and write up a Will.
There are affordable ways to do this if your wishes are really simple.)
A song that has been echoing in my head...
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
-deathcabforcutie
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