Get Your Financial House in Order

We don’t like to talk about death. It’s uncomfortable, it feels morbid, and honestly, most of us would rather focus on living than planning for the inevitable. But here’s the truth: failing to plan doesn’t just affect you; it places an enormous burden on the people you love most. Whether you’re in your thirties or your seventies, now is the time to get your financial house in order.

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s for anyone who wants to ensure their wishes are honored, their loved ones are protected, and their hard-earned assets go where they are supposed to go. Too many families in our community are left scrambling after a loved one passes, trying to piece together accounts, locate documents, and make impossible decisions during an already devastating time. We can do better. We must do better.

Start with Life Insurance

Life insurance is one of the simplest ways to protect your family financially. It ensures that when you’re gone, your loved ones aren’t left with funeral costs, outstanding debts, or financial instability. Many employers offer basic life insurance policies, but these are often insufficient. Consider purchasing an individual policy that covers at least enough to pay for final expenses and provide a financial cushion for those you leave behind. Term life insurance is affordable and straightforward, so there is no excuse not to have it.

Understand Medicaid and the Five-Year Look Back

For senior citizens, Medicaid planning is critical, especially if long-term care becomes necessary. Here’s what many people don’t realize: Medicaid has a five-year look back period. This means that if you apply for Medicaid to cover nursing home or long-term care costs, the government will review every financial transaction you’ve made in the previous five years. If you’ve given away money, transferred assets to family members, or sold property for less than its value, you could be penalized with a period of ineligibility.

This is why planning ahead matters. If you wait until you are already sick or in crisis, your options become severely limited. Working with an estate planning attorney who understands Medicaid rules can help you protect your assets legally while ensuring you qualify for benefits when you need them. Don’t let your life savings disappear because you didn’t plan properly.

Pre-Plan Your Funeral Arrangements

One of the greatest gifts you can give your family is peace of mind when it comes to your final arrangements. Funerals are expensive; easily costing $7,000 to $12,000 or more, and when families are grieving, they often overspend or make decisions they later regret. Pre-planning your funeral takes that burden off their shoulders.

Contact your preferred funeral home today and schedule a consultation. Most funeral directors will walk you through options for services, caskets, burial, or cremation, and even help you lock in current prices. Many funeral homes offer payment plans, allowing you to spread costs over time rather than leaving your family with a lump sum bill. You can specify exactly what you want, the music, the flowers, who speaks, etc; so your family doesn’t have to guess or argue about what you would have wanted.

Death is inevitable. This isn’t about being morbid; its about being responsible. It is about love. When you pre-plan, you are telling your family, you’ve taken care of this so you they don’t have to worry. It is a profound act of care.

The Time is Now

I know these conversations are hard. But avoiding them doesn’t make them go away; it just makes them harder for the people you leave behind. Whether you’re 35 or 85, take these steps: purchase adequate life insurance, consult with an estate planning attorney about wills and trusts, understand how Medicaid works if you’re approaching retirement age, and pre-plan your funeral arrangements.

Your financial house is more than bank accounts and property deeds. It is about ensuring your legacy is preserved, your family is protected, and your final wishes are honored. Don’t wait for a crisis to force your hand. Get your house in order today. Your loved ones will thank you for it.