Creating a legacy binder is an act of love–one your family will appreciate so much in your absence! Find out the simple way to create yours today!
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Sitting at an unfamiliar desk, I sifted through piles of papers, searching for any possible clues.
Digging through drawers and file boxes, I managed to unearth some old bank statements and bills, but nothing extremely helpful.
I attempted to access the computer that was not my own, hoping to find some useful information that could offer some guidance. Unable to guess the password for the computer, I rested my weary head in my hands, not sure what to do next.
Have you ever considered what would happen to your affairs in your absence?
Whether due to injury, death, or some other unfortunate event, would your loved ones have everything they need to move forward in your absence? Would they have the practical tools they need to stay afloat? Sure, having life insurance or disability insurance in place is one way to provide financial provision for your family. But what about everything else?
When my dad passed away suddenly at the age of 60, myself and my two siblings were left to help our mother navigate unfamiliar territory.
Having been entirely uninvolved with the management of their finances (like many men, my dad just always “took care of” the bills and other practical logistics), she was unaware of what bills they had, what investments or insurance policies were in place, and so on. She did not know many passwords to their online accounts, and really wasn’t sure how to continue operating their finances at all.
This uncertainty and lack of knowledge, when added to the suffocating grief we were going through, left all of us reeling.
The Importance of a Legacy Binder
Most of us know we should have some kind of legacy binder in place. Sometimes called a legacy drawer or emergency binder, a legacy binder is a set of documents and information that would guide our loved ones in the event that we are unable to handle things ourselves.
But how many of us have actually taken the time to create a legacy binder? {insert crickets chirping}
Listen, I know it’s not fun to think about this sort of thing. It’s way easier to bury your head in the sand and tell yourself that this stuff will never happen to you.
But you know what? It happened to my dad. He was only 60. And it also happened to his dad, who passed away suddenly in his 50s. And his brother, who passed away suddenly in his 40s. So it can happen. It does happen. How I wish we’d had a legacy binder to work with in my days, weeks, and months following my dad’s passing.
I’m willing to bet you know someone who has a story similar to mine. Maybe you have also been the one left behind, searching through papers and making phone calls and hoping to find the answers you need.
From a practical standpoint, I know it’s not always easy to organize this information into something cohesive. I know this because, after my dad’s passing, I set out to try to compile some information into a central location that could be accessed by our loved ones if necessary.
The reality is, the process felt very overwhelming. There is SO much to include and, if you’re like me, you’ll worry that you’re leaving out something important.
My attempt consisted of me creating random spreadsheets and lists and looking for suggestions from the internet. In short, I spent several hours compiling documents, but was still left with an incomplete hodge-podge of documents.
What to Include In Your Legacy Binder
What information do you need in your legacy binder? I think it’s helpful to include any information someone else would need to know in your absence, whether temporary or permanent.
Some examples of important information include:
- Investment accounts and balances
- Bank accounts and balances
- Debts and bills
- Budget
- Financial strategies
- Contact information for your financial advisor, attorney, etc.
- Copies of your will and trust, living will, power of attorney, etc.
- Locations of important documents
- List of online account login information (usernames and passwords)
- Medial and insurance information
- Life insurance or disability insurance policies
- Emergency contact information
- Information for caregivers (for your children or pets)
- Your wishes for certain circumstances
- Notes to loved ones
How to Create a Legacy Binder
You can certainly do what I first did, and try to compile this information yourself. But I personally found that to be ridiculously time-consuming, and I still felt like the result was not neatly organized or complete.
But what if you had an easier way?
Recently, I discovered a MUCH more user-friendly option—The In Case of Emergency Binder. This is a comprehensive 80-page document (created by Chelsea at Mama Fish Saves) that walks you through exactly how to compile the important information your loved ones will need in your absence.
I have a copy of the document myself and am ready to get started on finally creating a more cohesive and complete binder for my own family.
You see, I personally view a legacy binder as an act of love, or a means of taking care of the people we love the most, even when we can’t be there with them in person.
I hope I have many more years of good health ahead of me, but the thought of leaving my husband or children behind without the information they need simply does not sit well with me.
Can you imagine if your loved ones were able to just grab a binder and find everything they needed in your absence? No sifting through your desk drawers or mail in hopes of finding necessary information? Can you sense their relief?
That kind of security is absolutely priceless.
The In Case of Emergency Binder streamlines the process of setting up your own Legacy Binder. I highly recommend using it, because having an easier way to create your binder makes it far more likely that you’ll actually do it. Honestly, it’s one of the most thorough documents that I’ve found, and it’s also incredibly reasonably priced.
Having a legacy binder is a wonderful way to bless your family–click here to get started on yours today!
*Note: the In Case of Emergency Binder is currently available for a great deal! Get yours here and don’t wait to get started–your family will be so grateful someday.
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