GET IN THE HABIT OF...
What if you suddenly couldn't make decisions for yourself because of a medical problem> What if you died unexpectedly? Would your loved ones know your wishes and be able to carry them out, or would they struggle to figure out what to do and how to do it? Planning makes all the difference, and here are some tips:

Prepare a will. It will prevent your family from climbing a step emotional hill .

Make sure you have a living will, too. In addition to stating who should take care of your children or take over your belongings, a living will spells out your wishes about life support, artificial feeding and/or breathing, and antibiotics, amoung other issues.

Designate someone to take control. A stong power of attorney has important role.

Choose someone to make decisions about your healthcare and finances in case you're unable to do so. Like a will, it can make life a lot less stressful for your loved ones.

Put your important papers and copies of legal documents in one place. Gather everything you can about your income, property, investments, insurance, and savings.

You could set up a file, put everything in a desk or dresser drawer, or just list the information and location of papers in a notebook. If your papers are in a bank safe deposit box, keep copies in a file at home. Check each year to see if there's anything new to add.

"I'm going to stop putting things off, starting tomorrow!"

- Sam Levenson