Before It's Too Late - Don't Leave Your Loved Ones Unprepared [Spiral-bound]

Sue L Thompson (Author), Emily J. Oishi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1996

A new workbook, Before It's Too Late, will help you create a complete record-keeping journal. This easy-to-fill-out book takes you through a simple step-by-step process of recording your vital information pertaining to financial investments, insurance policies, personal property, will and trusts, employment history and benefits; names and phone numbers of legal and financial advisors, final arrangements for funeral services, obituary and disposition of remains. When it is completed, you will have an estate and funeral planning guide that will give your family the ability to fulfill your written instructions. Your loved ones will have peace of mind knowing that they are making the right choices, strengthening their ability to cope with the big decisions and small details of your death.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Chances are, you have prepared your will and have put it in a safe place. You have probably designated a family member or friend to be the executor of your estate at the time of your death. You may even have shared your funeral plans and wishes with those close to you. If so, you may be feeling well organized in the event of your death, but guess again. Most of the important information about your personal affairs is kept in your head. Not just the big details surrounding your financial estate, but the small details that you don't realize are important. After you're gone, who could quickly find the answers to questions concerning: location of the will, letter of instruction, other important documents and keys; financial assets such as investments, banking, insurance policies, real estate records; phone numbers of the attorney, insurance agent, accountant, clergyman etc.; employment history and retirement/pension benefits; vital information needed for the death certificate and obituary. How will your heirs know that they have taken care of all your personal affairs according to your wishes if you haven't written everything down? If you are unsure of how to get started, a new workbook called Before It's Too Late: Don't Leave Your Loved Ones Unprepared will help you create a complete record-keeping journal. This easy-to-fill-out book takes you through a simple step-by-step process of recording a wide range of personal information. When it is completed, you will have an estate and funeral-planning guide that will give your family the ability to fulfill your written instructions. Millions of dollars in life insurance policies, bank accounts and safe deposit boxes go unclaimed because heirs are unaware that those assets exist. One section in Before It's Too Late includes a complete record of your legal and financial affairs. Your executor can rely on this record to avoid leaving assets unclaimed. In addition, this information will reduce the lawyer's time and fees when settling your estate. Many people assume that when they die, their family will know what specific funeral plans to make. But under the stress of making difficult choices in an emotional situation, family members can disagree or feel guilty about making wrong last-minute decisions. Before It's Too Late creates a complete funeral plan for others to follow by recording your final wishes. Your family will have peace of mind knowing that they are making the right decisions, strengthening their ability to cope with your death. There are lots of reasons why you may have put off discussing the details of your death with people closest to you. Maybe you mean to talk to your relatives who live out-of-town but never remember to do it. Maybe, as a single parent, you think your children are too young to deal with the thought of your death. As the son or daughter of aging parents, you may feel awkward about asking them about their financial assets or funeral plans. The act of confronting death on paper is not easy but it is simple. Before It's Too Late provides a way to share your important information and wishes on paper with those who will be responsible for the big decisions and small details after you are gone. There aren't many other things that you can do for your family that will help so much and cost you so little. Single, married, divorced, or widowed, no matter what your age or situation, don't leave your loved ones unprepared. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 58 pages
• Publisher: Sue Thompson (September 1996)
• ISBN-10: 0965701603
• ISBN-13: 978-0965701600
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,522,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete a copy today....no matter what your age!, April 26, 2000

By 

Gail Shafer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Before It's Too Late - Don't Leave Your Loved Ones Unprepared (Spiral-bound)

After using this "journal" or "inventory" for my aging parents, I completed a copy with my family's information. I found it to be very comprehensive and easy to use. It covers financial topics, as you would expect, but also covers information that could easily be overlooked such as detailed funeral decisions, care of pets, hidden valuables in the residence....even who has sets of keys to the house. If you are looking for a way to document all the important information your family would need in the event of your or a loved ones death, this is just the publication.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Quite What I Expected, April 5, 2000

By 

P. JOHNSON (Shelby County, Alabama) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Before It's Too Late - Don't Leave Your Loved Ones Unprepared (Spiral-bound)

While this is a very well organized collection of FORMS forcompletion by the reader, I was disappointed to find that this bookoffers no advice or suggestions. I would suggest as an alternative, "Everything Your Heirs Need to Know" by Davis Magee and John Ventura, also available at Amazon.com. This contains basically the same forms, plus - it has addditional information regarding many of the topics. END

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent planning tool!, March 12, 2006

By 

JR (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Before It's Too Late : Don't Leave Your Loved Ones Unprepared (Spiral-bound)

The "Before It's Too Late..." workbook is excellent. It's the easiest method I've seen to start the process of documenting important information your family needs if you are incapacitated or in the event of your death. The death of my mother not too long ago was stressful for all the family, but the lack of information added to the difficulty. We didn't even know if she had a safe deposit box. We weren't absolutely sure what type of funeral service she would have preferred. We did the best we could with locating paperwork and making decisions, but many times we asked "well, is that what Mom would have wanted us to do?" or "where do you suppose she put that?" A lot more information is needed by the family than what you find in a will or similar documents.
This workbook is low-tech (no complicated software to load, etc.) -- just a workbook to fill in and change as time goes on. I was amazed at the thoroughness of the topics covered--things I'd never thought about. You don't just fill in the blanks; the questions force you to think about your preferences. Although I'd had a will for years, the process of filling in the workbook motivated me to review it and consider about just what information others might need after I'm gone.
I've seen a number of similar products offered, and I'm sure they're fine, but the "Before It's Too Late..." workbook is just outstanding. It's economical, it's easy to use, and I think it's a real gift to your family.