In 1982, New York publisher Byron Preiss released a book containing 12 puzzles. Solved correctly, each puzzle leads to a different park in North America, where he’d buried a small container that could be exchanged for a jewel valued at around $1,000. To date, only three have been found – the most recent discovered under home plate at Fenway Park in 2019.
This modern-day treasure hunt has provided entertainment for many across the internet. However, there’s another form treasure hunting that many have experienced: sifting through a loved one’s estate without a will. While no one can plan for an unexpected life event, you can prepare for them – and map out a secure future for those you love.
To recognize National Estate Planning Awareness Month this October, here’s three tips to help you map out your estate plan:
- Create or update your will. Many people put off creating their estate plan because they think the process will be complicated, but it’s usually quite simple. Plus, the consequences of passing without a plan are steep – probate costs, family frustration, and losing your opportunity to name the next guardian of your children or resources.
- Create a legacy drawer. Leaving a legacy is about more than financial inheritance. Gather important documents, passwords, policies, family stories, and even handwritten letters into one place for your loved ones – a treasure trove of information they won’t have to hunt for. Some people call this an “ethical will,” but to those who are grieving you, it will feel like pure love.
- Communicate your plans. No one likes to talk about mortality, but it’s important to share your plans and intentions with your family. You can let them know about your investments, any gifts you’ve included for a cause or organization like Hospice of Michigan, and the personal values that have driven your decisions and life.
Don’t miss out on an opportunity to create the ultimate treasure map for those you love with an up-to-date estate plan.
For more information, contact Emily Olson at 734-794-5147 or emolson@arborhospice.org.