Taking time out for a little life admin

The festive season and year end break is an opportune time to reflect on the year that was and also look forward to the opportunities that the new year brings. It’s also a time for a slower pace of life, to do some life admin and to review the tasks that we want to tick off in the new year. To help you along the way, here are some things that may resonate with you for you to consider.

Make sure your family is taken care of

For many of us our family is at the core of our existence and we want to make sure they are taken care of, if something happens to us. The reality is that although we have good intentions, life gets busy and although it sits on our to do list, it may not get actioned until it’s too late. To make sure this does not happen to you book your appointment with an estate planning lawyer for the new year. They will be able to assist you in putting in place a comprehensive Will that reflects your wishes and makes sure your family is looked after if something happens to you. Once you have the appointment booked in, take some time over your break to think about who you would like to receive your assets, and who you would like to undertake the important roles such as the role of your executor or children’s guardian.

Compile your important documents

Compiling all your important documents in one place will make it easier for those left behind when you are no longer here. It’s something many of us have on our to do list, so set a day aside to collate all those important documents and have that wonderful peace of mind once it’s all done. Important documents can include House Titles, Wills, Power of Attorney documents, Binding Death Nomination, Trust Deeds, Insurance Policies, Letter of Wishes to executors and loved ones, passwords, details of your assets and liabilities, and trusted advisors.

Check that your parents have their affairs in place

The festive season is a time that many of us catch up with family and for some of you it may be a considerable time since you last saw your parents or elderly relatives. Ask them whether they have Wills and Powers of Attorneys in place and are reflective of their current wishes. They may have been meaning to update them or put them in place for the first time and just never got around to doing so. It is imperative that these documents are put in place whilst your parents are still able to put them in place, as should they lose capacity, they also lose the ability to put these documents in place which invariably will lead to complications and stress for you long term.

 Take note of your parents and check they are really okay

If you are spending time with parents or elderly relatives that you have not seen for a period of time, have a good chat with them to check in with them and how they are going. You may chat with them weekly on the phone but sitting with them in their own home environment and seeing them engage and move, can provide a different prospective from weekly chats. Are they comprehending all that is going around them, do they feel comfortable in their own home, is there any sign of things that need to be repaired? They may not be managing in their own home but may be reluctant to tell you as they are fearful of the future consequences, particularly if they are reluctant to leave their home. If your observations confirm that they can no longer live independently in their own home, it’s an opportune time to have a chat about the options available to them and provide them with some security and comfort regarding their future.

Create beautiful memories

Life is about creating wonderful memories to look back on in future years. So, this festive season, be present, embrace the opportunity to spend special times with your family and loved ones, enjoying each other’s company, engaging in storytelling and reflecting on the year that was. It’s also a time to remember those special loved ones who are no longer here, who hold a special place in our heart and the wonderful times that you shared together.

By taking the time to do some life admin, puts you in good stead for the new year ahead. It allows you to reflect and plan and make sure that you and your loved ones are taken care of and what better start to 2025 could we wish for than that?