Unless you live in a cave you are probably aware that the entire country is in a tizzy over Obama’s Healthcare Reform. We all hate change because we’re comfortable with the way things are and we are uncertain about what’s coming. When the government proposes changes in a major program we know that what they say is not what we are going to get. And the government has such a wonderful record of success in managing all the programs that effect our lives...like Social Security and Medicare...we all know that (right!). Need I say more about feeling stressed when the government gets another bright idea conjured up for our benefit?

My feeling is that Congress should give us the same Carte Blanche healthcare program  THEY enjoy, but there isn’t much chance of that happening is there? I continue to be amazed however, that with all the upheaval going on about healthcare, most people still remain in a total fog on the issue of protecting their family when they die. They buy life insurance and roll the dice thinking that will take care of everything. I’m not really sure what the information gap is all about in this regard but one of the most profound impacts on family financial survival happens at the death of the breadwinner. Unfortunately it effects the family left behind, and they aren’t always old folks waiting out their final years. The deceased is home free, so to speak,... but the surviving family suffers the consequences, both emotionally and financially.

This problem can so easily be eliminated by understanding that dying intestate, or with a Will, is going to involve the family in the gut wrenching costly process called Probate. With Probate the court is in charge of all your assets and you have to get the Probate Courts permission and release before you can sell or liquidate any of your assets or withdraw money to sustain the family... and Probate rarely releases assets for emergencies.

It is so much easier to just be prepared in advance; hold your assets in a Living Trust and eliminate the heartache for your family when you are gone. Its hard enough for them to get over losing YOU, much less the loss of their financial security at the most devastating time in their life.