The most consistent element of the human experience no matter race, religion or reasoning is relationship.
We are born to a family.
We join clubs and organizations to make friends.
We update profiles and go on blind-dates to find our other half.
We live, love, laugh with others.
Then, one day, we don’t. Whether thru divorce or death, we find ourselves hurt, sad, scared and alone. I get it.
“We all at certain times in our lives find ourselves broken,” empathizes motivationalist Jill Pendley. “True strength
is found in picking up the pieces.”
Reasonably, there’s a period of mourning the loss. Hugging family, eating all the casseroles. Yet, a day does come
when it’s time to figure out the logistics of what’s next in this new stage of life.
Within days of my divorce I closed on the refinance of my house, removing my ex from title and lien as agreed in
the decree. However, had he died, there may have been additional steps to be taken. So, to be sure that moving
forward my children’s interest are protected as well as lessening the hardship of decisions, I met with an attorney
to draw up not only a new will, but also medical power of attorney documents, trusts in the event I died while my
kids were still young and a deed on death.
Will: A will is a legal document that sets forth your wishes regarding the distribution of your property and the care
of any minor children. In Texas, this document becomes exponentially important to have in the event of re-
marrying as it is a community property state so a new partner moving into your existing home could give them
claim to ownership if not legally spelled out.
Medical Power of Attorney: A medical power of attorney (POA) is a legal document you use to name an agent to
make medical decisions for you in case you can’t make them yourself. The person you choose as your agent can
only use the power a medical POA gives them if your doctor says you’re unable to make key decisions for yourself.
Trust: A trust is a fiduciary relationship in which a trustor (owner) gives another party, known as the trustee
(manager), the right to hold title to property or assets for the benefit of a third party. A fiduciary is a person or
organization that acts on behalf of another person or persons, putting their clients’ interests ahead of their own,
with a duty to preserve good faith and trust
Deed on Death: A deed on death, transfer on death deed, or beneficiary deed is a type of deed that transfers
ownership of real estate when someone dies—all while avoiding probate. Because Texas is a probate state,
regardless of what a will dictates, a transfer on death deed document allows decisions about a property to be
made immediately rather than waiting on a court blessing.
There’s nothing quite as difficult as starting life over on your own, no matter the why. Yet, having a plan and taking
the steps to protect what you are rebuilding is empowering, confidence building and, frankly, a necessity to
achieving all the next stage of life has to offer.