When I'm Gone: Practical Notes for Those You Leave Behind by Kathleen Fraser

by Kathleen Fraser

Preparation for loved ones for when you are just not there. The success of this book -- with 150,000 sold -- speaks to our aging population and an increased interest in writing wills, preparing medical care directives, preplanning funerals and making it easier for surviving family members to manage the details at the passing of loved ones. Elegantly designed and tastefully illustrated, When I'm Gone is a fill-in record book and a resource manual to record all the little details of life so that, when someone is absent, for whatever reason, those left behind can cope. The book provides a place to give instructions concerning the issues we think of first -- legal and financial -- but also all of the day-to-day details of the household and the personal notes and information we usually never get around to writing down. The book includes useful information and space to write in instructions on how to contact key people and where to locate essential documents, such as wills, powers of attorney, medical care directives and living wills. It also provides a space to jot down important information like banking details, home and car maintenance records, PINs, passwords, the location of keys, phone numbers, addresses and so much more. Important matters that can be recorded here This new edition of When I'm Gone has been updated to reflect changes in laws, customs and technology over the past decade, touching on everything from digital storage of family photos to green funerals to medically assisted dying. Space has been added for writing more of your own information. Everyone wants to keep better track of their records, and author Kathleen Fraser has designed the perfect way to do so with as little effort as possible.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

Spiral-bound

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A practical workbook, covering almost everything someone might need to know. It's not designed for couples, and many of the spaces are really too small for what you'd want to enter, but if you treat the book as a template and paperclip additional pages where you need them, it should do nicely. (It's recommended that you sign/initial and date extra pages and any changes you make, too.)

If it allowed for couples (after all, much of their information is likely to be the same) and gave more space for changes I'd give it 5 stars.

One word of caution: many of the references listed in the back appeared to be Canadian, but as legalities change between countries, provinces and states, you should always consult local legal authorities before making decisions about wills, power of attorney or anything similar.

[Lori Gregoire]

A must for all to leave their loved ones to make things easier.

[Marguerite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now to fill it in. Lots of help in figuring out what to add. Recommend

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice and ideas in this book! Information I wish I had available when family members passed! Now to follow through….

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

THis is a very practical workbook for collecting important information to give to family members who will be left behind when one dies. I previewed this book at the library, but will be buying copies for myself and for my mother. The only negative quality this book has is the print size. Since this is largely a book that senior citizens might want, a larger font would probably be appreciated.

[Pennstater · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am an attorney and I would recommend spending your money on a consultation with an estate attorney before you buy this book. The law in every state is different and there are a number of inaccuracies in this book.