On February 2nd in Wood Dale: Retirement Expert Jim Flanagan Helps You 'Get Your Plan in Place'
One of life's indisputable truths is that it doesn't go on forever. Sadly, another truth is that people frequently fail to make basic preparations or leave clear instructions to their survivors.
On Thursday, February 2nd a financial expert will offer a solution to this all-too-common scenario with a free presentation of "Get Your Plan in Place" at 6:30 p.m. at the Wood Dale Public Library, 520 N. Wood Dale Road.
In the session, Jim Flanagan, founder of Naperville-based Bentron Financial Group, will equip attendees with a clear blueprint to make the numerous decisions that would otherwise fall to family and friends in the event of a serious medical disability or in the wake of one's death.
To learn more about the event, or to pre-register, please call 630-766-6762 or visit www.wooddalelibrary.org.
"Death or a major debilitation is already traumatic enough, without heaping on the additional burden of picking up the countless pieces that accumulate over a lifetime," Flanagan said. "It is a truly loving act to get organized ahead of time-to provide specific details about your financial, medical and any other personal matters."
The centerpiece of the one-hour program is a 39-page workbook that covers a gamut of topics. Among the categories included: bank accounts and other financial holdings, children and next of kin, and even special instructions for care of pets as well as specifying which individuals should be present-and which should not-at their funeral.
The workbook also prepares people for sensitive end-of-life questions, such as how to address pain management and other personal preferences during this period.
"Getting your financial house in order is easier said than done," said Flanagan. "Not only that, but what about the essential non-financial documents? Where do you keep all of your very important stuff? These are some of the issues that don't seem like a big deal until it becomes a big headache if you haven't handled them in advance."
Flanagan developed the guide after helping countless families navigate end-of-life issues. After his own parents passed away in 2013, it took on an even deeper meaning.
"My mom and dad had both done very good planning for this phase of their lives, and between that and clear instructions they provided, it really assuaged the grieving process for me and my six siblings," said Flanagan.
Through that personal experience, too, Flanagan recognized some improvements he could make and wanted to help others with the insights that he gained.
"I did this for my own family and it was done well, but there were things I could have done better," Flanagan noted. "I have applied those lessons to this guide."
Flanagan has been advising people at or near retirement age for more than 20 years. In 2001, building on his 15 years in the financial services field and his knowledge of risk management, financial planning and business succession planning, he formed Bentron Financial Group, LLC.
In 2005, Flanagan joined the Oak Park/River Forest Township Senior Services Committee, for which he has served as chairman since 2008. In 2010, he founded the Celebrating Seniors Coalition, a not-for-profit organization that, among other services, helps seniors with emergency needs and raises public awareness of issues affecting seniors in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park.
For more information, visit www.CelebratingSeniors.net. Bentron Financial Group is online at www.bentron.com.