08/29/2025
People are being called to Glory in droves here lately. We, ourselves, have even lost many loved ones in this season. One thing we've learned, is the importance of having your affairs in order, not just orally, but written down & notarized. So many of our family members go through even more heartache when there are no written instructions left on how to handle things. Here are a few notes to take to ensure that your wishes are respected.
1. Have direct beneficiaries on ALL bank accounts. The beneficiary should only need your death certificate and an ID of their own to access your accounts.
2. If you own a home, complete a Transfer On Death deed & file it with your county. The saves your loved ones/heirs alot of money. It also allows you to transfer ownership of your home to the loved one of your choice. All they should have to do is take their ID and the death certificate to your county building and the deed is signed over.
This avoids prevents the home from going through probate.
3. Have a Living Will. This will allow you to put in writing exactly what you want done in the event you cannot speak/advocate for yourself with healthcare decisions.
4. Having a Durable Power of Attorney allows you to designate a person to make legal decisions if you are no longer competent to do so.
5. Having a Power of Attorney for Healthcare allows you to choose who you'd like to make healthcare decisions for you in the case you are unable to.
6. Have a Last Will & Testament to assign your personal belongings. You can choose what each individual would receive in the case of your death.
7. Have a Funeral Planning Declaration in the case that you don't already have those things in order. This would allow your chosen, trusted, loved one to know exactly what your wishes are as far as disposition of your body & your services, if any.
Completing these things can dodge the probate process. If these things aren't done, your family would more than likely have to get an attorney & open an estate account at the bank. Money that doesn't have direct beneficiaries goes into this account. Your passing has to be publicized in the newspaper or in a publication at the county courthouse, to allow anyone to make a claim on your property.
A. You should also make a list of all banks, investment institutions, credit cards, utility accounts, etc. with the account numbers. Leave thorough instructions as to how, when, & if these things are paid. Make sure the right people know where your life insurance policies are located.(heirs, attorney, etc.)
B. It is VERY important that SOMEONE knows your Samsung,Apple, Google, etc. log in & passwords, your ID numbers & all.
If you have social media, have someone assigned to be able to log in & close your account or make a memorial. This not only notifies your social media followers, associates, friends, etc., but this prevents hackers & scammers from highjacking your page & taking advantage of those you are socially/virtually connected to.
C. MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!! Talk to everyone you Love and make your wishes known. It's important that they hear it directly from you.
Especially any heirs, beneficiaries, & those assigned special responsibilities. Explaining your "why" helps avoid your Loved ones "reacting" off of hurt feelings, etc., because they disagree with your decisions.
These hard conversations need to be had, and now is the time to have them. IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY, IT'S ONLY TOO LATE!!! Your Loved one's would appreciate you being prepared. It saves them the EXTRA heart ache.
And if you need a Mobile Notary Public in the state of Georgia, we're here to help. Blessings.
Chia Neal
Mobile Notary
678-828-1065
