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My Last Gift: An Essential End-of-Life Planner: Important Guidance for You and Your Loved Ones
- GenresNonfiction
134 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 20, 2024
We don’t like to think about it and we definitely don’t like to have to deal with it when the time comes, but planning for our own death and the death of loved ones is monumentally important. After attending a seminar earlier this year about end-of-life planning, I was already primed when I discovered Kim Boyer’s My Last Gift planner. The title is apt because a planner of this nature completely filled out, the legal papers drawn up, and the important papers stored in the convenient secure envelope at the back of the planner is a golden treasure.
My Last Gift is a hardback, spiral bound organizer with clearly labeled colorful tabs and easy to read and follow instructions and suggestions for filling it out as you go. There are eleven sections and a document envelope at the back Each section has a generous-sized font and large spaces to work with. Knowing the author is a lawyer specializing in elder law, estate planning, probate, and long-term care, etc gives peace of mind that all that is needed is there.
Now, I will say, this is generalized and not specific to any US State and certainly not international laws. So, one should definitely follow up to make sure details specific to your home state estate, probate, living will, wills, and etc is taken into account. This isn’t a criticism, but a reminder that the laws can be different state to state. Oh,and many medical related forms are often downloadable on your local hospital system’s website.
I think the Vital Documents and Financial Facts section were what really drew me with the important details there and the advice boxes throughout. Speaking of such sensitive sections. There is a reminder that this planner will hold a great deal of personal security stuff and shouldn’t just be left around for anyone to grab. However, the person you have planned to execute matters after you pass should definitely know where it is to be located since this is “my last gift“ to them.
All in all, this was an eyeopener to me of how much I need to have settled and organized all my information in one place. I thought I was doing pretty good regarding some of this, but I can see now that I’m not as organized as I could be. The My Last Gift planner is also something that might save lots of frustration, angst, and maybe even a great deal of money for those left when the time comes. Again, death is something that is uncomfortable to consider, but planning things out with the help of this planner could make it so much easier.
I rec'd a finished copy via Zeitgeist books to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at That's What I'm Talking About on 12.19.24.
My Last Gift is a hardback, spiral bound organizer with clearly labeled colorful tabs and easy to read and follow instructions and suggestions for filling it out as you go. There are eleven sections and a document envelope at the back Each section has a generous-sized font and large spaces to work with. Knowing the author is a lawyer specializing in elder law, estate planning, probate, and long-term care, etc gives peace of mind that all that is needed is there.
Now, I will say, this is generalized and not specific to any US State and certainly not international laws. So, one should definitely follow up to make sure details specific to your home state estate, probate, living will, wills, and etc is taken into account. This isn’t a criticism, but a reminder that the laws can be different state to state. Oh,and many medical related forms are often downloadable on your local hospital system’s website.
I think the Vital Documents and Financial Facts section were what really drew me with the important details there and the advice boxes throughout. Speaking of such sensitive sections. There is a reminder that this planner will hold a great deal of personal security stuff and shouldn’t just be left around for anyone to grab. However, the person you have planned to execute matters after you pass should definitely know where it is to be located since this is “my last gift“ to them.
All in all, this was an eyeopener to me of how much I need to have settled and organized all my information in one place. I thought I was doing pretty good regarding some of this, but I can see now that I’m not as organized as I could be. The My Last Gift planner is also something that might save lots of frustration, angst, and maybe even a great deal of money for those left when the time comes. Again, death is something that is uncomfortable to consider, but planning things out with the help of this planner could make it so much easier.
I rec'd a finished copy via Zeitgeist books to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at That's What I'm Talking About on 12.19.24.
October 4, 2024
My Last Gift by Kim Boyer is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to organize their affairs and provide clarity to loved ones during one of life’s most challenging moments: the end of life. Boyer, an attorney with years of experience in estate planning, creates a thoughtful and user-friendly guide designed to ease the burdens of decision-making during emotional times.
The book goes beyond a simple checklist, offering comprehensive legal, financial, and personal guidance. It definitely would’ve been useful when my uncle, aunt, and grandmother consecutively passed away in 2018. It covers everything from important documents to funeral preferences, providing spaces to input critical information that might be overlooked. Boyer’s empathetic approach and clear writing make a daunting process approachable, ensuring your wishes are fulfilled as intended.
One of the book’s most striking features is its focus on the emotional well-being of loved ones left behind. The author encourages personal reflections and offers suggestions for leaving meaningful messages, adding a deeply personal touch. Overall, My Last Gift is a thoughtful and pragmatic tool that provides peace of mind for individuals and families during life’s most challenging transition. This book is for anyone who wants to take control of their legacy with care and compassion. The book was excellently edited, written, and structured. For these reasons, I am giving this book five stars.
The book goes beyond a simple checklist, offering comprehensive legal, financial, and personal guidance. It definitely would’ve been useful when my uncle, aunt, and grandmother consecutively passed away in 2018. It covers everything from important documents to funeral preferences, providing spaces to input critical information that might be overlooked. Boyer’s empathetic approach and clear writing make a daunting process approachable, ensuring your wishes are fulfilled as intended.
One of the book’s most striking features is its focus on the emotional well-being of loved ones left behind. The author encourages personal reflections and offers suggestions for leaving meaningful messages, adding a deeply personal touch. Overall, My Last Gift is a thoughtful and pragmatic tool that provides peace of mind for individuals and families during life’s most challenging transition. This book is for anyone who wants to take control of their legacy with care and compassion. The book was excellently edited, written, and structured. For these reasons, I am giving this book five stars.
January 31, 2025
This is probably one of the most important books I will share with you. In the last year, I have lost my father and several friends. Some of those were expected but others were a shock and tragic. Every time we lose someone close to us and close to our age, we are reminded of how short life is and how difficult it can be for those left behind. While we don’t know how many days we have left, we can be prepared.
MY LAST GIFT takes care of all of that for you (aside from actually getting some of the official paperwork completed). Attorney Kim Boyer has thought of everything and collected it all in this notebook. Inside she guides you through all the items your loved ones need to know after your death. Some of the obvious things are included like a living will, power of attorney, DNR, etc (all things you need an attorney to complete) as well as medical-related information like medications and doctors. There are also pages for your financial and banking information, bills you pay, and real estate or businesses you own.
Something a lot of people forget about is their digital information such as login information and passwords for social media and streaming accounts. It is very difficult for family members to cancel accounts because companies won’t talk to you without proof of identity or proof of death. Having login information allows a family member to go in and cancel accounts more easily.
The most important pages have to do with those who are dependent on you such as children, elderly parents, and pets. Especially if you are a single parent, this is the most important section where you can let your loved ones know how you want your children or pets to be cared for by naming guardians.
The final sections allow you to write down your wishes for burial/cremation, services, your obituary, and finally blank pages to write notes to your loved ones. An envelope at the end of the book allows for photographs, special documents, poems or verses, and other personal items to be kept all together.
For those facing death in a more immediate timeframe or for those of us who need guidance on making our wishes known and tying up loose ends, this is such an important gift.
MY LAST GIFT takes care of all of that for you (aside from actually getting some of the official paperwork completed). Attorney Kim Boyer has thought of everything and collected it all in this notebook. Inside she guides you through all the items your loved ones need to know after your death. Some of the obvious things are included like a living will, power of attorney, DNR, etc (all things you need an attorney to complete) as well as medical-related information like medications and doctors. There are also pages for your financial and banking information, bills you pay, and real estate or businesses you own.
Something a lot of people forget about is their digital information such as login information and passwords for social media and streaming accounts. It is very difficult for family members to cancel accounts because companies won’t talk to you without proof of identity or proof of death. Having login information allows a family member to go in and cancel accounts more easily.
The most important pages have to do with those who are dependent on you such as children, elderly parents, and pets. Especially if you are a single parent, this is the most important section where you can let your loved ones know how you want your children or pets to be cared for by naming guardians.
The final sections allow you to write down your wishes for burial/cremation, services, your obituary, and finally blank pages to write notes to your loved ones. An envelope at the end of the book allows for photographs, special documents, poems or verses, and other personal items to be kept all together.
For those facing death in a more immediate timeframe or for those of us who need guidance on making our wishes known and tying up loose ends, this is such an important gift.
October 22, 2024
This is beyond essential for every adult!
It covers so many basics that you really need to know after a loved one’s incapacitation or passing. It lists important information from friends & family to notify with their contact information; to banking info, insurance info, taxes, legal information, passwords. It’s just mind boggling! The “Changes to Make Now” notes for the person filling the book out has lots of wonderful advice. As do the “Steps for Loved Ones” notes for the person in charge of the estate. I sure wish my brother had this book before he passed. It would have made the grief filled process of getting things in order so much simpler. I can’t recommend this book enough.
It covers so many basics that you really need to know after a loved one’s incapacitation or passing. It lists important information from friends & family to notify with their contact information; to banking info, insurance info, taxes, legal information, passwords. It’s just mind boggling! The “Changes to Make Now” notes for the person filling the book out has lots of wonderful advice. As do the “Steps for Loved Ones” notes for the person in charge of the estate. I sure wish my brother had this book before he passed. It would have made the grief filled process of getting things in order so much simpler. I can’t recommend this book enough.
September 25, 2024
4.5 stars
Everybody is going to die. That is a fact. But you do not have to leave this world without a plan in place for your loved ones after you pass on. I totally get it, not everyone is comfortable discussing end-of-life plans with family and loved ones because it seems so, well, morbid. Personally, I am an avid death rights supporter and am passionate about people having access to the proper death-care tools, information and language to advocate for themselves and others. The more we can talk about something, the less stigma and fear there will be surrounding it.
This planner gives you the perfect place to keep track of all the vitally important information your loved ones will need to properly take care of your assets and affairs after you pass on. It's divided into very simple sections which you can fill out privately or with assistance, and there are little blurbs in each section "Changes to Make Now" and "Steps for Loved Ones" so you can feel adequately prepared NOW for any eventuality LATER.
The only reason I didn't give it a full five stars is because I'm Canadian, and this book is specifically set up in the context of the American legal and funerary system. So it's perfect if you're from the States, especially because it's written by a Nevada lawyer who specialises in estate planning, elder care and guardianship, and probate law. If you're from anywhere else in the world, I'd say it's still an excellent framework and basic guide for end-of-life planning but it may not be as overtly useful for you if legal and funeral customs in your own country are vastly different from the United States.
Thanks to NetGalley, author Kim Boyer, JD, and Zeitgeist publishing for providing me with an advance review copy of this book for free to read and review. All opinions are my own and provided voluntarily.
Everybody is going to die. That is a fact. But you do not have to leave this world without a plan in place for your loved ones after you pass on. I totally get it, not everyone is comfortable discussing end-of-life plans with family and loved ones because it seems so, well, morbid. Personally, I am an avid death rights supporter and am passionate about people having access to the proper death-care tools, information and language to advocate for themselves and others. The more we can talk about something, the less stigma and fear there will be surrounding it.
This planner gives you the perfect place to keep track of all the vitally important information your loved ones will need to properly take care of your assets and affairs after you pass on. It's divided into very simple sections which you can fill out privately or with assistance, and there are little blurbs in each section "Changes to Make Now" and "Steps for Loved Ones" so you can feel adequately prepared NOW for any eventuality LATER.
The only reason I didn't give it a full five stars is because I'm Canadian, and this book is specifically set up in the context of the American legal and funerary system. So it's perfect if you're from the States, especially because it's written by a Nevada lawyer who specialises in estate planning, elder care and guardianship, and probate law. If you're from anywhere else in the world, I'd say it's still an excellent framework and basic guide for end-of-life planning but it may not be as overtly useful for you if legal and funeral customs in your own country are vastly different from the United States.
Thanks to NetGalley, author Kim Boyer, JD, and Zeitgeist publishing for providing me with an advance review copy of this book for free to read and review. All opinions are my own and provided voluntarily.
October 21, 2024
Thoughts: I’ve seen several of these sorts of planners over the last few years and this is one of the best I’ve seen. It’s easy to read and understand. There are suggestions that will help you complete each section so that you and your family will know what to do when the inevitable happens. There are sections for topics like finances, medical notes, dependents and pets, property, business affairs, and more. It’s large notebook size and spiral binding so it’s easy to write in and there’s an envelope in the back if you need more pages (though there is a lot of room). This book is practical and useful. And will definitely be a help to your family in the future. Even if you think you’ve taken care of most of this, I suggest you get this to make sure you’ve covered all the bases.
Highly recommended.
Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from Zeitgeist (Penguin Random House) with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
@zeitgeist #partner
@penguinrandomhouse #partner
Highly recommended.
Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from Zeitgeist (Penguin Random House) with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
@zeitgeist #partner
@penguinrandomhouse #partner
October 13, 2024
This type of book is important but hard to design to work for everyone. There is an overwhelming amount of information to log, which makes it rather depressing even though most of it is needed. There are sections my husband and I wouldn’t need but also many areas where there’s not enough space. There is space for recording three bills that are auto paid, for instance, which made me snort. My husband has dozens, from Duolingo to IMDB to my website to the garbage collection. Do people really need to know an entire page of information about every one of our pets? Well, there’s detailed pages for 2 pets, 3 dependents and 4 kids. I guess one of my kids has to count as a dependent and we can pick the two pets we like best. As I said, it’s just really hard to personalize a book like this. I am now determined again to do this but I am (sorry) going to use a notebook.
I read a temporary digital copy of this book for review.
I read a temporary digital copy of this book for review.
July 20, 2024
My Last Gift: An Essential End-of-Life Planner: Important Guidance for You and Your Loved Ones by Kim Boyer, J.D. is an excellent resource to have and use.
My siblings and I recently lost my mother, and my parents did have a living trust. However, there were still many things that were not specifically spelled out in their trust. This book provides a useful roadmap to the things each of us should have in place, such as vital documents, medical information, financial information, service providers (electric, mortgage, etc.), and even what to do with your pet if you should pass.
As the book states, I really need to get all my documents and wishes in order. This is an essential and vital book that covers all areas one may not think about. It provides helpful tips.
I would highly recommend this book.
#MyLastGift #NetGalley
My siblings and I recently lost my mother, and my parents did have a living trust. However, there were still many things that were not specifically spelled out in their trust. This book provides a useful roadmap to the things each of us should have in place, such as vital documents, medical information, financial information, service providers (electric, mortgage, etc.), and even what to do with your pet if you should pass.
As the book states, I really need to get all my documents and wishes in order. This is an essential and vital book that covers all areas one may not think about. It provides helpful tips.
I would highly recommend this book.
#MyLastGift #NetGalley
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews