1 Timothy 5:3-4 – “Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.”
 

When you get to a certain age you begin to realize that you are not a strong, as sharp or as quick as you were when you were fifteen. Well, you might be as sharp or sharper than a teenager, but some things start to escape you and you might be more easily swindled or even pressured to make unsound decisions. It can be a gradual process and it might be too late to act if you wait until you cannot think clearly.

        FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, often publishes helpful articles to assist the average person in making wise choices. I am so grateful that we did not have to cajole Cindie’s mother to update her will or to set in place POA agreements. She asked us to participate, but she was the one driving the decisions when her mind was clear. She did, however, see the day coming when clarity would not be her strong suit. She also had her attorney create a specific contract so that Cindie could care for her needs and receive compensation for doing so. We would not have known this was a good idea without the help of her attorney.

If you have a trust-worthy child or children or other family members, please be thoughtful about this process. Don’t make life harder than it needs to be for these family members. If the day comes when you can no longer make wise decisions, you want someone on your side to act as fiduciary – someone trustworthy to care for your physical needs and your financial resources. They need to know your wishes. This also pleases God because it reveals your willingness to humbly accept help when you need it.

FINRA Link: http://www.finra.org/investors/highlights/power-of-attorney-pressure