Estate Planning

When I saw this book, I knew I had to read it.

Most of us have either lost someone or tried to support a friend through their loss and experienced the mess - physical and emotional - that death can leave behind.

I have distinct memories of my grandmother's house, the compact, single story structure in which she'd raised six kids, lingering as a source of contention years after her death because the estate wasn't completely closed.

I've seen houses in my neighborhood sit empty for years, quietly peeling and decaying because the deceased owner's heirs can't settle the estate and the house swings in limbo, unable to be sold, rented or rescued. Almost always, by the time the legal matters are resolved, its too late to save the house and the problem is only compounded.

I've supported friends while they tried to fumble their way through sorting a loved one's possessions, figuring out which child or grandchild should have what without causing permanent relational rifts or heartbreak.

None of that has to happen! Ms. Hall brings years of wisdom to her clear, compassionate guide to protecting aging parents and preparing -preferably long before they die - for the quick, painless resolution of whatever they leave behind. Several things stand out impressively in this book:

1. Chapters are written for adult children, but also for the parents, making it easy to share and accessible to everyone involved. Every party involved is treated respectfully and encouraged to be kind and respectful of each other.

2. Ms. Hall effectively delineates the variety of options available to all stages of the process, acknowledging that one size does not fit all. She provides resource lists to help readers find trustworthy and informed professionals in their own area and helps you understand when you need a professional and when it's okay to do things yourself.

3. Several popular myths are neatly busted, and their alternatives explained, so you know what you're really getting into.

4. Ms. Hall strongly recommends doing as much as possible ahead of time - both for your parents and for your own estate. She lays out solid reasons why and walks readers through the "how".

The time to talk about and make essential aging and end-of-life decisions is while everyone is still healthy and rational enough to have honest, calm conversations a little at a time. If this isn't something your family talks about, or if you don't know that both you and your parents have a will, please check this out. It's easy to read and could save you years of unnecessary heartache.