A Complete Family Protection Plan

Introduction to the ESTATE PLANNER

Frequently we meet families at the most difficult time of their lives, that is when husband and wife are parted because one of them has passed away, and we find that lack of records causes unnecessary confusion, especially to the survivor. Quite often both the name of the executor and the location of the will are unknown to them. Vital statistics must be immediately provided in order that insurance and pension benefits can be claimed. The family planner offers a simple yet adequate method of making necessary information immediately available to your family or executor.

The Estate Planner is divided into three areas- information needed immediately by the funeral home, the executor of the will, and the family.

Personal Information: This page deals with personal information about the husband and wife. The names, place of birth, mother's maiden name, and so on.. It's basic information that's often difficult for people to think of when a death occurs.

Registry of Children: This page deals more with children that are now living away from home. For example if a husband and wife were on holidays and an accident occurred, by listing where the children lived, they can easily be located .

Relatives: You would list the names of any relatives that you would want contacted immediately in the event of a death. Again, we suggest the address and telephone number be recorded in pencil.

Important Medical Records: List any special medical problems such as drug allergies or other conditions. Identify any member of the family that has a heart pacemaker.

Memorable Events: Here a family can list any baptisms, engagements and weddings. These are points of information that they would use when preparing a eulogy or an obituary. The dates of these occasions can be listed. Often other family members just don’t know when they actually occurred. Families can list their clergy person, place of worship and telephone number. Quite often a family attends the same place of worship for many years, and they would prefer that their clergy person read the Eulogy, rather than someone they do not know.

Organization Affiliations: These affiliations are important to list because of the possibility that they may provide death benefits. These benefits may or may not be monetary. If they are listed though, they will not be overlooked. Clubs or groups do not automatically notify the family without a claim being made. For instance if they belonged to CAA, they may have benefits from $2,000.00 up to $10,000.00 upon an accidental death while traveling in their own vehicle or on public transit such as planes, trains, buses etc, but only if you send in the claim within their specified time limits, would you qualify.

Location of Important Papers: This page is one of the most important pages in this Estate Planner. This is a list of some of the documents that must be produced in order to settle an estate. An index is provided. Home, office, safety deposit box and attorney etc... If a family has a will, often one copy is left with the attorney and the other copy is in the home. They would then mark both home and attorney. Other documents would be birth certificate, marriage license, insurance policies, property damage insurance, stock certificates and bonds. Copy of mortgage, deed of home, bill of sale or title to automobile, tax returns and receipts, citizenship papers, if naturalized, military discharge papers and any other important documents or valuables. Quite often when a death occurs, family members come into the home and take charge. Recording these documents can eliminate expense and confusion.

Money on deposit and Other Investments: Bank accounts can sometimes go unclaimed because a family had several accounts and other family members simply didn’t know they existed. So if the accounts are listed, they will not be overlooked.

Safety Deposit Boxes: Name and address of bank, box number, names and addresses of persons having access to the box and the location of the keys. How many times do we find keys and not know what they are for? We suggest that you do not leave this Estate Planner in a safety deposit box. Keep it at home, because in the event of a death the box would be sealed and the only thing that can be removed is the will. No one would have access to this Estate Planner.

Credit Cards: Here credit cards should be listed. The balance on all credit cards must be paid and cards canceled in the event of a death. Many credit cards also have death benefits, however if the card company is not notified the benefits may not be paid.

Stocks, Bonds, GIC’s, etc.: These should be listed as well as the broker in case the family member needs to get in touch with him or her regarding these types of investments.

Real Estate Owned: If a family owns a home, a cottage or rural property, the information can be recorded here..When a death occurs, titles and deeds have to be changed, as part of settling the estate.

Company Pensions: This page deals with anything that may enhance a families income upon retirement. Perhaps they have a company pension plan or a R.R.S.P. term deposits, etc..List the name of the individual familiar with the plan, the payroll or personnel department would be familiar with the plan. Or if they have a plan at the bank, they would list the bank manager's name and address. There are survivor’s benefits with most plans and they must not be overlooked.

Your Will:

Most Families realize that it is wise, to have a will and know the importance of having their affairs in order ahead of time.

One of the best reasons why every qualified person should have a will is that they then control the distribution of their property. Their lawyer will help them write their will so that each of their heirs receive just what they want them to, whether it be the wife, husband, children, mother, father, close friend or a favorite charity.

Important Facts About My Will: If a family has a will, the information would be recorded here. When the will was dated, location, name of the executor and name of the lawyer who drew up the will.

Insurance Policies: Quite often a family is dealing with more than one insurance agency, so they would list the names of the companies here. Policy numbers, beneficiaries, we suggest they list amount of the policy, double indemnity, waiver of premiums, and disability income. Now, you practically have to be a lawyer to understand your policy so we have provided a place for the name and address of the agent with your policies. It can take weeks or months for money to actually come through. Therefore a claim should be made as soon as a death occurs to hopefully help a family maintain their standard of living.

Cemetery Arrangements: Have you ever considered cremation? Here a family would list any cemetery products, such as a plot, Mausoleum, monument etc... that they have taken care of ahead of time . It is common today for families to have taken care of these things far in advance of needing them.

Funeral Preferences: As for the Funeral Home you would list their name, location and telephone number. Husband's and wife’s wishes: church service, chapel service, fraternal service, flowers and type, charitable organization donation in lieu of flowers and any other special wishes. Suppose there was a certain ring or book that you want one of your children to have, you could list that on this page. If there is not enough space you can always add an extra page. Many families find the burden of making these arrangements ahead of time is not only psychologically but financially easier on them.

Helpful Information: The next two pages will give you help in claiming additional benefits that you are entitled to, but it is your responsibility to place that claim. You may also be able to help a friend or relative who has not had the foresight to prepare in advance.

87 Things That Must Be Done When A Death Occurs In A Family:

87 things must be done within the first 72 hours of a death. Incredible isn't it? Now, some of these things are important, and some are done automatically. There are 45 of these items that can be looked after when the pre-arrangement program is completed.

The Person Most Likely Responsible for Carrying Out The Final Arrangements:

There are spaces provided and we suggest that you list at least three names in order of preference. If you have three or four names listed, surely one of them could be reached. Usually you put in the name or names of your executor or person looking after your affairs.

To Whoever Takes the Responsibility for Final Arrangements:

The Estate Planner is a record of your personal information that will be of value to you, your family, your lawyer and your executor. We live in a complicated world where a lack of records can bring about confusion and unnecessary expense. This is especially true when an estate is to be settled and questions which the deceased could have answered easily must be worked out slowly and laboriously. Sometimes the right answers are never found.

Basically, what you are saying is that you both have listed your worldly possessions. You have told each other what you own and how you would like those assets distributed.

The Estate Planner is a simple yet effective method of making the necessary facts available.

We urge you to take the time to contact us and receive your complementary copy of our Estate Planner.