By LouAnn Schulfer, AWMA, AIF
It’s an arbitrary question in some ways, but certainly not a rhetorical one. Our life’s worth can be defined in many ways, sometimes best pondered through question. In reflection, what kind of lasting impact have you had on others? What have you begun that will continue on?Have the efforts of your work been fully realized? Have you been a contributor or a consumer? What will you leave behind that will make a difference to others? If you were to die tomorrow, how will you be missed?

When I was growing up, there was a saying that there are only two things that are certain: death and taxes. Well now-a-days, many people don’t pay taxes so I guess we can eliminate that one, but the one certainty of death does remain for us all at some point. We just don’t know when.

If you have life experience, chances are you know many people who have passed on and left a lasting impact on those they loved as well as others. Many lived long, deliberate and fulfilling lives which enriched others. Conversely, many were taken too soon, before their jobs were done here on earth.

I’ve helped numerous people throughout my years as a Wealth Management Advisor evaluate the impact that their death will have on others, financial and otherwise. A substantial risk to any of life’s plans is death of a key contributor, both financial and/or effort, for families and business. What commitments have you made? What would happen if you were to die tomorrow?

No one enjoys thinking about death and many people procrastinate with planning, but it’s the one certainty for all of us. People tend to underestimate death’s impact until they do a comprehensive analysis and identify the gaps that will need to be filled if they are no longer here at given points in others’ lives, financial and otherwise. For most people, nothing is more important than taking care of their loved ones.

What would happen if you were to die tomorrow?

Helping people financially plan for their families or businesses for the lasting impacts that their death will have, has been of paramount importance to me for years. I’ve personally experienced the premature death of a family member and its lasting impacts. I’ve looked into the crying eyes of dear friends and clients, sharing their pain, when they have lost family members too early. One thing for certain, we can’t bring our loved ones back. But with proper planning, everything does not have to change for your family or your business. What would happen if you were to die tomorrow?

LouAnn Schulfer is co-owner of Schulfer & Associates, LLC Wealth Management and can be reached at (715) 343-9600 or louann.schulfer@lpl.com. Visit www.SchulferAndAssociates.com blog.