Let me explain.

Recently, I did the Clean Sweep Assessment to find out how messed up my life is. Okay, I’m kidding. I did the Assessment to find out what I might want to tweak in my life to make it better and more relaxing for myself.

A few items gnawed at me.

One was that we didn’t have a will or a living will.

Clean Sweep is divided into four areas: Money, Relationships, Physical Environment and Well Being.

In June of 2004, I scored 79 out of 100.

Relationships were perfect, and the others needed work. While waiting for a friend to meet me for lunch the other day, I took the assessment again and scored 89 out of 100. Again, relationships were great, and I still had room to grow (though less!) in other areas.

Under finances, I was not able to check off “my will is up to date and accurate.” It became a high priority to get that done, because we have a child now.

I got a referral to a lawyer, and we met with him today. We told him some details about our finances and desires. He took notes and will have a document ready for us to approve in a week or two.

Wow. Easy.

What kept me from doing this sooner? Probably sleep deprivation.

And now I get back to the part about planning for my demise. Of course, that’s the whole reason I am doing this will, yet it was hard for me to listen when he asked if we’d chosen a burial plot. I’m not quite ready to hear that question.

Despite the temporary discomfort of thinking about something sad, it’s important to get your will done. You owe it to your child to get your recommendation for a guardian down on paper.

The lawyer surprised me, though, by saying that the person you choose might not become the guardian if your choice is contested. We were quite unhappy until he asked an important question. What if your selection becomes a drug addict, you die six months later and you had not changed your will? I saw the situation in a new light.

I’m happy to have this planned out and happy that I can check another item off my Clean Sweep Assessment.

Here is some information on How to Establish a Guardian for Your Child.

Tags: Marriage Mothering Motherhood Parenting Mommy Blog Mommy Blogging Baby Toddler Family Finances Writing a Will Establishing Guardianship for Your Child