I really appreciate you investing the time you commit to this Set Your House in Order study.

I know from experience that attending to matters relating to death and latter year financial planning is not everyone's first choice activity. But, in my many years as the founder and then managing partner of an accountancy business I have experienced so many people in this situation; from those undertaking no end of life planning at all to those who have everything tied down and in place, ship shape, Bristol fashion.

You may be looking at this study in a small group, or on your own. If studying alone, you may wish in due course to follow on and lead a Setting Your House In Order small group and discuss these important matters with others in your church.

It is important to give due thought and consideration to his or her financial and estate planning and decide what actions to take. Procrastination, putting off doing anything, is all too common. There are many reasons for this. Some are unwilling to face the fact that we will all one day 'graduate' and feel that planning for their death forces then to acknowledge this. Others feel they have too little to be bothered with or that they simply cannot find the time to address the issue of planning when they are unlikely to die for years yet.

One common reason for not taking action is that couples find it hard to agree what to do. That is often the case for those who have children from an earlier marriage - a blended family. One spouse might feel it is their children who should inherit their wealth and not those of the current spouse. Thus, money can become a marital problem and, in order to avoid arguments, they ignore the issue leaving it to be sorted out, by others, after they die as an easy way out of this conundrum.