A Four-Module Educational Program
to Get Your Affairs in Order
Many people need a hand to hold while they navigate a difficult process, which is exactly what this course is designed to do. I will tell you what you are going to need, provide you with abundant information and documents for you to fill out, and tell you how and where to get the rest.
AND, I will turn you into a savvy consumer, which can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
You can find books & workshops that cover one or two of these topics. Leaving Lightly covers five distinct topics combined into four modules.
The course travels lightly and—whenever possible, humorously—through scary terrain. But the course is thorough, and at its conclusion, you will leave lighter, knowing you have done everything you can to fill your Clean Up Person (whom I refer to as a CUP®) with the knowledge to assist you at this critical juncture.
This small investment in your future will pay big dividends emotionally, physically and financially for both you AND your loved ones. Making life easier and saving money—who doesn't want that?
AND, I will turn you into a savvy consumer, which can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
You can find books & workshops that cover one or two of these topics. Leaving Lightly covers five distinct topics combined into four modules.
The course travels lightly and—whenever possible, humorously—through scary terrain. But the course is thorough, and at its conclusion, you will leave lighter, knowing you have done everything you can to fill your Clean Up Person (whom I refer to as a CUP®) with the knowledge to assist you at this critical juncture.
This small investment in your future will pay big dividends emotionally, physically and financially for both you AND your loved ones. Making life easier and saving money—who doesn't want that?
Module 1: Where's My Stuff? Personal and Financial Information
In this module, we'll record your personal and financial Information. You will document highly personal & sensitive information, as well as mundane facts like the kind of dog food you feed Fido. Your Executor will need this information in order to take care of the immediate needs of the family, close your accounts with various agencies, notify the people you want notified, and make sure your loved ones get the money that you want them to have.
Examples of information recorded in Module 1: the name of your Executor and how to contact them, your birth date, Social Security number, computer passwords, who needs to be notified of your death and contact information for them, the professionals you rely upon and their contact information, the person who will assume care for your pets and what Veterinarian you use, what ongoing services need to be canceled, etc. Because this information is identify-theft bait, you will keep this information VERY SAFE.
We will start filling out this information in class, so you will leave the class with a handle on getting your personal and financial information recorded.
Examples of information recorded in Module 1: the name of your Executor and how to contact them, your birth date, Social Security number, computer passwords, who needs to be notified of your death and contact information for them, the professionals you rely upon and their contact information, the person who will assume care for your pets and what Veterinarian you use, what ongoing services need to be canceled, etc. Because this information is identify-theft bait, you will keep this information VERY SAFE.
We will start filling out this information in class, so you will leave the class with a handle on getting your personal and financial information recorded.
Module 2: Getting the Ending You Want: Healthcare and Legal Considerations
This module gives you an overview of what a Power of Attorney, Living Will, Do Not Resuscitate, Special Needs Trust, Living Trust and Will are so that you can make an informed decision about what is best for you. Issues related to health care advance directives and Power of Attorney documents for both health care and finances are discussed.
An elder care or estate planning attorney will explain these documents, and generically discuss the different health care and legal options. Even people with little money, few possessions and no assets need a Will or Living Trust. We'll also discuss options for affording legal services.
At the end of the class, you will know what documents you will need, and how to get them.
An elder care or estate planning attorney will explain these documents, and generically discuss the different health care and legal options. Even people with little money, few possessions and no assets need a Will or Living Trust. We'll also discuss options for affording legal services.
At the end of the class, you will know what documents you will need, and how to get them.
Module 3: Wrapping Up Your Life: Your Body, Your Decision
You will want to have a say in how the wrap-up of your life occurs. Most people feel very strongly about whether they are buried or cremated, but they are unaware of the variations on those themes. Module 3 discusses the variations and nuances and shows you how you can save money while still getting what you want.
We'll also discuss what goes into a remembrance service so that you can choose what you want said, and who you want saying it. Don't you want your final remembrance to be a reflection of what's important to you? If you don't think about it and write it down, chances are very good that someone who doesn't know you will create a generic service for you. Who wants to be generic?!
I'll also help you write your own brief, personalized biography, which will assist your Executor in writing your obituary. SOMEBODY has to do it— it might as well be you!
At the conclusion of this class, you will have clarified for your CUP what to do with your mortal remains, what type of remembrance service you want, and you'll get the tools you need to create an empowered and interesting obituary and eulogy.
We'll also discuss what goes into a remembrance service so that you can choose what you want said, and who you want saying it. Don't you want your final remembrance to be a reflection of what's important to you? If you don't think about it and write it down, chances are very good that someone who doesn't know you will create a generic service for you. Who wants to be generic?!
I'll also help you write your own brief, personalized biography, which will assist your Executor in writing your obituary. SOMEBODY has to do it— it might as well be you!
At the conclusion of this class, you will have clarified for your CUP what to do with your mortal remains, what type of remembrance service you want, and you'll get the tools you need to create an empowered and interesting obituary and eulogy.
Module 4: Becoming Immortal Through Digital Recording
Digitally recording your voice and mannerisms is one of the greatest gifts you can give your heirs and your friends. It keeps you alive and fresh in the memories of those who love you for the rest of their lives, and for future generations. It is also a recording of personal family history, much of which will be lost if it is not recorded.
You can choose between two types of videos:
Your video can be used as a living legacy, or as a video eulogy. Now THAT is having the last word!
You can choose between two types of videos:
- A basic 30 minute video with an opening and closing title page and simple transitions; or
- A Legacy Video, which is a more detailed, complex and professional video of any length produced by award-winning videographer and producer Bob Becker of Bob Becker Communications.
Your video can be used as a living legacy, or as a video eulogy. Now THAT is having the last word!
Janet Lee Kraft, M.A., Ed., email: [email protected]