What It Means to Get Your Affairs in Order

In simple terms, “getting your affairs in order” means organizing your vital documents, making important decisions, and consulting with an attorney and financial planner to be sure your family members will have what they need to manage your estate.
 
This is a big step and it can feel overwhelming to deal with all at once, so it makes the most sense to break it up into smaller tasks and work on it a little bit at a time. 

The first thing you might want to do is gather all of your important documents into one place for safekeeping. Some examples of important documents include:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Citizenship papers and work permits
• Military records
• Social security card
• Bank account information, tax records, and other financial documents
  

You may also think about saving copies of your driver’s license, life insurance, medical insurance, and other cards so that information is accessible to someone who might need it in an emergency.
 
A fire-proof safe in a secure part of your home is a good option for storing these documents. You’ll want to provide instructions for accessing this safe to a trusted friend or family member so they can access your planning documents if anything happens to you. 

If you haven’t already done so, you’ll want to hire an estate planning lawyer to draft your will and help you with your estate plans. 

Your will is a formal document that determines how your money and possessions will be divided after you die. To make sure those wishes are carried out, you’ll need to appoint “fiduciaries,” which are people with legal duties related to your estate. 

These include an executor, trustee, and a power of attorney who can make decisions on your behalf. You may want to give these jobs to family members or hire a professional for that role. El abogado can help you make that decision and set up your fiduciaries so they’ll be ready when the time comes. 

Once your legal affairs are in order, you’ll want to discuss your plans with your close family members if you haven’t already. Your spouse and children were likely already involved in creating your will, but it’s a good idea to make sure everyone is on the same page about their responsibilities and knows the plan for any emergencies. 

This is also a good opportunity to discuss funeral and burial plans. We often assume that our loved ones know what we want, or avoid talking about death because it feels like bad luck. But being clear about your funeral wishes and asking your loved ones about what matters to them is important. 

For example, do you want to be buried in a family plot in Mexico or have your ashes interred at a local Catholic cemetery? Do your children know which church you attend? Do they know what kind of information should go in your obituary? This conversation doesn’t need to be in-depth, but it’s a good idea for everyone to be on the same page to prevent any misunderstandings, confusion, and unnecessary stress. 

Preplanning your funeral services with una funeraria is one way to make sure your wishes are documented. It lifts the burden of planning from your family’s shoulders. Additionally, preplanning your funeral allows you to make payment arrangements in advance, so your family doesn't have to worry about funeral costs.
 
When you preplan with Latina Funerals & Cremations, those plans are kept secure in our system for the future. When the time comes, your family members only need to call us at 303-996-0701. Our funeral director will handle everything from there, saving your loved ones the hassle of making decisions during an already stressful time.