ARE YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER?

A PLANNING GUIDE AND RESOURCE BOOK

April 2007

Prepared by the Senior Adult Council

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church

This material may be reproduced for non-profit use only.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Nos.

I. Introduction I - 1-2

II. Personal and Financial Information

A. Family Information II - 1

B. Knowledgeable and Trusted People II - 3-5

C. Location of Important Documents II - 6-7

D. Property and Financial Holdings Locations II - 8

E. Financial Obligations lI - 9

III. Health Insurance and Living Arrangements

A. Medicare, Medigap and Long Term Care Insurance III - 1-3

B. Nursing Homes III - 4

C. Home Health Care III - 5

D. Life Care Communities III - 6

E. Assisted Living Homes and Communities III - 7

F. Hospice III - 8

G. Professional Helpers III - 9-10

IV. Pertinent Legal Documents

A. Durable Power of Attorney IV - 1

B. Guardianship IV - 2

C. Health Care Power of Attorney and Advanced

Health Care Declaration IV - 3-4

D. Will IV - 4

E. Revocable (Living) Trust IV - 5

F. Beneficiary Designation in Contracts IV - 6

G. Other Considerations IV - 7

V. Spiritual Planning and Resources

A. Practical Considerations V - 1-3

B. Data and Preferences V - 4

C. Religious Services V - 5-12

I. INTRODUCTION

This guide, published by the Senior Adult Council of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, has a very important central aim. We want you to plan ahead! To do so is to be absolutely consistent with our Christian heritage. Because we believe that death is not the end, we are able to face it with courage -- with a sense of responsibility to those loved ones who carry on after our own death. Because we love them, we want to have our “affairs in order.”

We hope that you will take advantage of the resources and information in this manual. And, we hope you will benefit from the many resources available in this Church and the community to help you maintain a high quality of life in the time that lies ahead.

Preparing for the future calls for clear and intentional time dedicated to praying, thinking, talking with knowledgeable people, talking with those we love, and taking actions consistent with the information we have and the commitments we want to keep. We won’t take this time unless we are willing to face the uncertainties of our future, potential situations that will be hard to face, and the inevitable end of our own lives. To plan for, and thus to think about, these things is an act of courage – and of love. And we cannot do it confidently unless we are also assured that we are loved, and that what we do matters to our loved ones and to God.

Sections III, IV, and V of this guide each provide brief background information and make suggestions for further investigation. More materials are available in the Senior Adult Office and in the church library. Bill Arnold, Associate Pastor for Senior Adults, and Beth Ann Force, Administrative Assistant for Senior Adult Ministry, will be glad to help in any way possible. Information contained in these sections is believed to be accurate, but when expert assistance is needed, we certainly encourage you to retain the services of a competent professional.

Please note that Section II is arranged for you to record vital information for those who may need to see to your affairs when you are unable to do so. We hope that this centralized place for recording information appropriate for you will be useful and simplify the task. Don’t try to do it all at once! Thought and research are sometimes necessary. We suggest that you make copies of the information and make them available to selected family members and trusted professionals.

We also suggest that you consult with your loved ones and a pastor to make plans for your memorial service. Further suggestions on this topic are made in Section V. Copies of your preferences can be maintained in a confidential file in the church office.

I - 1

NEXT STEPS

You are urged to complete the forms in Part II, listing personal, financial and spiritual matters, and arrange for the execution of any pertinent legal documents. Admittedly, the task may look formidable, but take the first steps now.

Where should you keep documents after they are executed? The originals of your will, any trusts and durable power of attorney should be kept in your safe deposit box or other secure locations. Originals of health care power of attorney or advance medical directives should be kept at home with copies to your physician and family members. Family members should know the location of the originals.

Most importantly, we suggest you keep copies of important documents and other relative papers in this loose leaf binder, noting on each where the original is filed. This binder will facilitate periodic reviews, at least every two years, and will make "picking up the pieces" a lot easier for members of your family.

Planning ahead is an act of love!

I-2

II. PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL RECORDS

(Note: If additional space is needed, use back of form or separate sheet.)

A. FAMILY INFORMATION

1. Individual

Name _____________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Phone Number ____________________

Date and place of birth _____________

___________________________________________________________

Social Security Number _______________________

2. Spouse or other primary personal contact

Name _____________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Phone Number _____________________

(If spouse)

Date and place of birth ________________________________________

Date and place of marriage ____________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Social Security number _______________________________________

3. Deceased or Prior Spouses - (if applicable)

Name _____________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

II-1

Date and place of:

Marriage_____________________________________________

Divorce ______________________________________________

Death _______________________________________________

Social Security Number __________________________

4. Children or significant persons

· Name and Relationship _____________________________________

Address _________________________________________________

Phone Number _________________________________________________

· Name and Relationship _____________________________________

Address _________________________________________________

Phone Number _________________________________________________

· Name and Relationship _____________________________________

Address _________________________________________________

Phone Number _________________________________________________

5. Pets

Instructions for disposition of pets ______________________________

_________________________________________________________

II - 2

B. Knowledgeable and Trusted People

1. Physician _________________________________________________