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5 Things to do Before You Die (that no one tells you)

By Rachel Sommer ^. January 25th, 2021

Double check your life insurance beneficiaries

Do you know who is getting the funds for your life insurance? How sure are you? This is an often overlooked detail that can create immediate, unforeseen challenges for your family as they make the plans for your memorial and other final arrangements. 

Pick your picture(s) for your obituary/ memorial service

The program from your memorial service is often the last picture that people have of you, and attendees often keep the program as a memento of the event and a memory of you. Don’t you want that picture to be a flattering remembrance? Not only that, but it removes one more thing for your next of kin to argue about or have to decide during what is already an incredibly stressful time.

It’s also good practice to select a photo that shows the deceased person on their own, not in a group and that focuses on their face, as this is the main feature that obituary readers will recognize as they browse the newspaper or website. This is also the final record of your loved one’s life—let the focus be on them for this memorial. It is also a good idea to make a note of what you would like to wear to be buried in, If you are having an open casket memorial. You can easily add all of these details and upload photos into the Documents and Estate Planning section with Easeenet.

Have a copy of your will that ISN’T in your safety deposit box

In case your attorney hasn’t already told you this one, it is critical that the original copy of your will is NOT stored in your safety deposit box… Since your loved ones will usually need to present a copy of your will to gain access to said safety deposit box. There is story after story of this inadvertent mistake causing difficulty and stress after someone’s death. After your death the bank will seal the safety deposit box until an executor can prove he or she has the legal right to access it. This could lead to long and potentially costly delays before your will is executed and your heirs receive their inheritances. Instead, keep the original copy of your will with your attorney or somewhere else where your executor can access it without jumping through legal hoops. If you decide to keep your will in a safe, it is crucial that you give the code or spare key to a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member. 

Identify your digital executor in your will

This is a newer concern, but as we all spend more time online and have more digital accounts and digital assets, it becomes a crucial part of your estate planning. RUFADAA is federal legislation passed in 2017 that allows you to designate a digital executor in your will, someone who can stand in your shoes online. Coupled with your digital estate planning tool, like Easeenet.com, your executor will be able to manage your online accounts with ease, preserving and protecting both memories and assets, and saving hours of frustration trying to manage accounts.

Write a letter of instruction 

It is imperative to write a letter of instruction for your loved ones. The letter can outline such things as whether you want to be buried or cremated, and what kind of memorial service, if any, you’d like to have. The level of detail is up to you. Also, a letter of instruction can include details on specific bequests related to digital media, i.e. you would like your family photos to be printed and given out to your loved ones, you want your emails to be deleted, and so on. With Easeenet, we have created the Legacy Worksheet which acts as your letter of instruction. We have simplified this process tenfold, by creating this easy but comprehensive sheet which is located right in your Easeenet account. But your letter needs to be accessible, so if your letter of instruction is sealed inside a safety deposit box that no one can access, then your final wishes may not be granted. With Easeenet, your instructions are secured in your digital estate and your chosen legacy contact will be able to easily access this at a moments notice. Simple! 

*Bonus* Gift the right assets to charity

Often overlooked, this act of philanthropy can have unintended consequences. What do we mean by this? Any assets that will be considered taxable income (this may include, for example, an IRA) should be the ones bequeathed to charity, leaving the assets that are not considered taxable income (for example, cash) to your children. This has the effect of increasing your children’s net inheritance, without penalizing the charity (as they aren’t required to pay income tax). Ensure your beneficiaries are up to date on other assets that have provisions for naming them, including investment and bank accounts with transfer on death (TOD) designations. This is especially important for beneficiaries outside your immediate family, as assets don’t usually go to such beneficiaries by default or outside of the probate process if they are not named properly.

With Easeenet you can create custom categories for specific assets, like charities or any thing under the sun!

Try out Easeenet risk free with our 14-day trial and see for yourself!

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