Order

Order is usually synonymous with peace. With the recent loss of my grandmother I've watched my aunt and mother sort through her financial belongings and while they were semi-prepared, the process was daunting. I've decided that this is going to be one of my primary goals for the 2016. January of 2016, matter of fact. Get my own assets in order. What greater gift can you bring to your loved ones and friends than making sure, if God forbid something happened to you, that you could bring peace to a hectic and chaotic time.

So my action plan is this:

1) Research on what documents I'll need to officially file. I'll do this with online searches and discussions with people I know who have experienced sorting through a loved one's estate.

2) Collect my own documents of ownership:  deeds, titles, and beneficiaries.

3) Call an attorney and make an appointment. Although I know one can make a will and a living will without an attorney, it will give me peace of mind that a licensed individual will be taking care of any technical language and procedural matters. Yes, even if it costs me a few hundred dollars.

4) File the proper paper work. And organize a quick folder in case of any untimely situation.

The third item to my action plan will be the hardest. I am a procrastinator by birth. And despite good intentions. For some reason or another I tend to drag my feet.

A few years ago this appeared in the Wall Street Journal. A good visual for my endeavor, and perhaps for yours as well.