Financial Planning and Terminal Illness
The phrase ‘getting your affairs in order’ is often used to describe the administrative tasks a person needs to do at the end of their life. Whether you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a terminal illness or you are simply looking ahead to future possibilities, it is a good idea to have a plan in mind.
Author:Habiba AshtonReviewer:Frazer PughJul 11, 202163.1K Shares841.4K Views
The phrase ‘getting your affairs in order’ is often used to describe the administrative tasks a person needs to do at the end of their life. Whether you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a terminal illness or you are simply looking ahead to future possibilities, it is a good idea to have a plan in mind.
Planning For Care
Long-term care insurance can help cover the costs of some illnesses, but it is not a blanket solution. If you are already older, you might not be eligible. Furthermore, it might not cover every condition or may not cover the condition comprehensively enough. If you are young and thinking about your future, long-term care insurance may be part of that planning, but be sure to read the fine print carefully.
If the need to make financial plans for end-of-life care is more immediate, you may want to look at other options. One possibility for people who have insurance is a viatical settlement. This is generally for individuals with a life expectancy under two years, and it allow them to sell their life insurance policy. You can usually get more with a viatical settlement than a life settlement, which is for people with a longer life expectancy.
Turning It Over To Others
There might come a point where you are no longer capable of making financial decisions. This could mean that your family goes through a long, costly and emotionally exhausting court process to determine who will be in charge of these decisions on your behalf. A better solution is to plan for it. Some people do this by creating a trustand appointing a trustee to manage their assets if they cannot.
Another way is with powers of attorney although it is important to make sure that various financial institutions accept these. Yet another possibility is to add a family member to various accounts. The best solution will vary according to your family situation. For example, a potential drawback of having a joint account is that if one person on the account has bad credit, it can reflect negatively on the other person.
Estate Planning
At minimum, most people need a will that says what they want to happen to their assets. However, if you want to keep your estate plan private, if you want to control how your heirs receive their inheritance, if you might owe estate tax or if there are other complications with your assets, you might want one or more trusts. Trusts can also do things like help you donate to charity while also providing income for family members. You can talk to an attorney about the best way to structure your estate plan for your situation.
Business Succession
This is a type of planning that is specific for business owners, and it involves both financial and personnel decisions. You need to think about what you want to happen to the business and if you want it sold and the proceeds distributed to family or if you want them to continue to make money off it. If the latter, who will run it? Will it be a family member or someone else?
Habiba Ashton
Author
Habiba Ashton, an esteemed professional in Digital Marketing and Business, brings over 10 years of experience to the table. She holds a Master's degree in Marketing Management from Stanford University and is a certified Digital Marketing strategist.
Habiba has authored numerous articles on SEO, Social Media Marketing, and Branding, published across reputable platforms.
Her impactful projects have consistently driven growth and visibility for businesses, earning her accolades from clients and industry peers alike. One notable achievement includes leading a digital marketing campaign that resulted in a 30% increase in online sales for a major retail client.
Looking ahead, Habiba is committed to pioneering ethical digital marketing practices that prioritize customer trust and engagement. Her vision is to lead initiatives that foster a transparent and sustainable digital ecosystem for businesses and consumers alike.
In her free time, she enjoys cycling, stargazing, and staying updated on digital entertainment trends.
Frazer Pugh
Reviewer
Frazer Pugh is a distinguished expert in finance and business, boasting over 6 years of experience. Holding an MBA in Finance from Stanford University, Frazer's credentials underscore his authority and expertise in the field.
With a successful track record in executive roles and as a published author of influential articles on financial strategy, his insights are both deep and practical.
Beyond his professional life, Frazer is an avid traveler and culinary enthusiast, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and cuisines.
His commitment in delivering trustworthy analysis and actionable advice reflects his dedication to shaping the world of finance and business, making a significant impact through his work.
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