A well-constructed estate plan will be holistic in nature. You make sure that each and every one of your loved ones will receive their inheritances in the best possible manner, and you attend to other details.
One of these details is the matter of your final arrangements, and you can ease the burden on your loved ones if you assert your choices in advance. If you do not, mourning family members will be forced to handle everything during a very difficult time.
It can be hard to manage these tasks when your life has been turned upside down, and family members can have differing opinions with regard to the best way to proceed.
When you take the planning into your own hands, you nip potential problems in the bud, and you can go forward with the knowledge that your true wishes will be honored.
Letter of Last Instructions
You can record preferred final arrangements in a letter of last instructions. If you want a low-key farewell with a simple memorial service and a quiet burial or cremation, you can assert that choice.
Of course, there are those that follow religious and/or family traditions, and this is another possibility. The sequence will often start with a viewing, and there will be a wake, the burial, and a formal memorial service at a house of worship.
This is one of the bases you can cover in the letter, but there are other essential pieces of information that must be shared with your executor or trustee. You have to provide the location of relevant documents along with physical property and the necessary keys.
Most people conduct a good bit of business online, so you should list your accounts and your login information when you are composing the letter. You can also let your administrator know how you want your social media accounts handled to be when the time comes.
When you are creating this letter, you can provide information that will be used to craft your obituary, or you can write it yourself.
These are a handful of things to think about, but it is really just a matter of common sense. Ask yourself what the administrator will need, make a list, and check off all the boxes.
Paying for the Final Arrangements
There are different ways to pay for final arrangements. If you have a relationship with a funeral home because of experiences you have had in the past, you can potentially pay in advance.
You should be very careful if you get into a prepaid funeral arrangement with an entity that you are dealing with for the first time. There are companies out there that charge much more than they should because they attract people that have no idea what to expect.
If you decide not to pay for the arrangements while you are living, you can provide the funds when you are planning your estate.
Attend a Free Seminar!
You can learn a lot if you explore the content that we have on this website, and it is offered free of charge. This being stated, the best way to come away with an understanding of this important process is to attend one of our in-person seminars.
These sessions cover all the most important estate planning and elder care topics, and there is no admission fee. We hold them at various strategic locations in our service areas, so you should be able to find a date that works for you.
The schedule is posted on our seminar page, and when you identify the session you would like to attend, follow the instructions to register so we can reserve your spot.
Need Help Now?
If you already know that it is time for you to work with a Hartford, Connecticut estate planning attorney to put a plan in place, we are here to help.
Each situation is unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all estate plan that is right for everyone. Personalized attention is key, and this is exactly what you get when you choose our firm.
You can schedule a consultation appointment right now if you call us at 860-548-1000, and you can use our contact form if you like to send us a message.
Mr. Horowitz was awarded his Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law. While attending law school, Mr. Horowitz received the American Jurisprudence Award in Legal Ethics and the Nathan Burkan Award.
After graduation from law school, Mr. Horowitz continued his legal education at New York University School of Law where he received a Post Doctorate Law Degree in Taxation. He has also recently received a national achievement award.
Mr. Horowitz is admitted to practice before all the state courts in the State of Connecticut and the United States District Court.
Mr. Horowitz was selected for Super Lawyers in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
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