Living Well with a Living Will

Christmas is traditionally a happy time to catch up with family and good friends, so talking about death and tragedy is a bit off-side, but if you don’t take the opportunity to discuss it now, time can quickly move on and the opportunity lost.

Here is a list of questions to table at Christmas Dinner, or at least over a Coffee and a piece of Christmas Cake. These are guaranteed to get the conversation flowing: 

To your brother/sister

  • Have you got an up to date Will in place?
  • Who will look after your kids if you die?

If it is you who gets the kids …also ask

  • Will there be enough money or should you top it up with Insurance?

To your adult children

Repeat questions 1 – 3 above except also ask

  • How can we do that caravan trip around Australia in retirement if we also have your kids (that’s your grandkids) and you are underinsured?

If that stopped the conversation try: 

To Grandma

  • If you were on life support, what would you want to happen to you medically?
  • Who would make those medical decisions for you if you are incapacitated?
  • What about financially, who will have the power to pay the bills until you get better?
  • Will there be enough money or should you top it up with insurance?

If that goes well, try the same questions 1-4 to

your brother/sister, parents, spouse, next door neighbour!

On a roll….. now go to group loitering around the esky and ask…

the brother-in-law who has his own business

  • Have you got any key employees at your business?
  • If you or the key employee weren’t able to work for six months, would that cripple your business financially?
  • Did you know you can insure against that?

……. If you take our advice and use these questions over the Christmas functions, chances are you may not get invited next year! Nevertheless, we’re sure you agree that they are topics that deserve consideration and topics that should be openly discussed with caring family and friends.

In our financial planning business we help clients with these matters every day. Wills, Power of Attorney, Living Wills (Advanced Directives) and Personal Insurance are important discussion points on our review checklists. Our job is more than just tax and superannuation.

If you would like to meet with us and allow us to help you sort out your personal affairs, we have referral partners that we regularly work with to help you get “your ducks in a row”. Call us and make an appointment to turn over a new leaf in the new year and get these important issues addressed and have peace of mind.

Contact us NOW: 02 6033 2233

Finally, the team at Potts and Schnelle would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2018 and thank you for supporting our business over the past year.