Melissa got divorced.

Rachel turned 60.

Susan’s spouse was diagnosed with late stage cancer.

Dana’s spouse had a fatal heart attack at 55.

Sandy’s siblings and step-mother experienced trauma, stress and strife, and anger at one another that exacerbated and complicated their grief when her father died.*

(*All names changed for privacy.)

While three-quarters of us believe having our final wishes in writing is important, only a third of us, mostly motivated by major and painful transitions such as the ones above, actually complete our end of life plans and paperwork. Why do so few of us take care of this vitally important need? I asked my friends, strangers who are fellow Gen X, middle-aged women and past clients for their feedback, and I’m sharing it in the blog today.

1. Overwhelming Terminology and Document Complexity

One of the most common hurdles preventing people from completing advance directives and end-of-life documents is the confusion surrounding legal jargon and complex paperwork. It’s true that legal documents can be dense and challenging to understand for the average person. This can lead to procrastination or avoidance of the process altogether.

Solution: Let me help. I have a free checklist with a glossary of common terms and a checklist of the information and documents you need to have together and accessible to your family and loved ones. If you want to hire me as your Peace of Mind Planning coach, I can provide you with clear explanations of legal terminology, guide you through the paperwork, and ensure that your documents accurately reflect your wishes.

2. Prioritization of Essential Documents

The abundance of end-of-life documents available can be overwhelming. Many people are unsure about which documents are most essential for their situation, causing confusion and hesitation.

Solution: I offer all sorts of planning. Do you need to think about and plan for your best life as you age? You may need an Aging/Living Well plan. Need to pre-plan your funeral/memorial/celebration of life event and for your body disposition? I have a plan for that. Living wills and health care representative? Got you, boo. I can help you identify the key documents that align with your specific needs and goals. This tailored approach ensures that you focus on (and finish) what truly matters to you.

3. Financial Constraints

Limited financial resources can be a genuine concern, preventing individuals from seeking legal assistance to complete their advance directives and end-of-life documents.

Solution: While I am not a lawyer, I can help you gather, plan, prepare the things you need to consider to include in legal wills and power of attorney documents so that you can find low-cost DIY options or save large amounts of time and money with a lawyer. I offer different tiers of one to one planning and coaching to do as little or as much work as you want, and I also offer a free consultation to determine what your goals are before we begin.

4. Lack of Understanding about Importance

The lack of understanding of just how much “work” we leave for our family and loved ones when we die, leads to neglecting this crucial aspect of planning. Not many of us want to be a burden to our loved ones, yet we neglect to leave clear directions for them for what to do for, to and about our bodies, our things and our money when we cannot do for, to or about any of it ourself.

Solution: All those people I listed in the introduction? They provide you with compelling reasons and real-life scenarios illustrating the importance of having these documents in place. I hope these examples and education inspires you to take the necessary steps.

5. Confusion about Document Requirements

Navigating the legal requirements to make documents legally binding can be perplexing for many. Understanding the proper procedures to follow is crucial to ensure your documents hold up in the eyes of the law.

Solution: End of life planning offers our families invaluable peace when we are approaching end of life. Having completed plans and communicated them to our family provides us with control over and calm throughout our aging and end of life journey. For this reason, most end of life documents are valid, and legally executed with only a few signatures, and do not even require a notary or lawyer.

6. Reluctance to Confront Mortality

Thinking about our own mortality is uncomfortable and can be a major reason for procrastination when it comes to end-of-life planning. We hope it will not happen for many years, so put it off for tomorrow. In truth, tomorrow is never guaranteed.

Solution: Compassion, empathy, listening and presence just so happen to be my superpower. My passion. My thing. As your planning expert, I will provide a supportive environment for discussing your fears and concerns. With empathetic guidance, I can hold space and help you think and talk about death with sensitivity and at your own pace.

7. Limited Knowledge of Legal Resources

Many individuals are unsure of where to find the necessary documents or lack access to legal resources, such as attorneys or notaries.

Solution: As a professional planning consultant specializing in end of life planning I have the knowledge and connections to direct you to the appropriate resources, make the process more accessible and less daunting.

Conclusion

We strive to be competent, responsible and compassionate humans during our lifetime. Completing our advance care and end of life plans are essential for ensuring we are remembered and honored as such after we die. While all of it may seem daunting and overwhelming, seeking the assistance of an expert can help organize and streamline it all to alleviate worries, concerns and excuses. A professional planning consultant and coach provides guidance, clarity, and support, ensuring that your wishes are accurately documented, legally binding, and reflective of your unique circumstances. Most importantly, frequent check-ins and one to one sessions will provide the accountability many of us need to actually complete the paperwork and steps needed. Using this service, you can attain peace of mind, knowing that you have safeguarded your future and provided for your loved ones during challenging times.

Ask me how to get started today.