Best of 2016: 10 Things We Covered You May Have Missed
It took us an entire year to put this list together. You can read it in around 10 minutes*. (*Longer if you click all the links and read the great stories. Less if you only look at the pictures.)
Oh, 2016, you were a wild one. There were surprises: The Cubs actually won the World Series! There was loss: Each week seemed to bring the passing of another prominent figure. There were bitter divisions among allies: Batman fought Superman; Captain America fought Iron Man. (You didn’t think we were talking about the election? Everplans is a politics-free zone.) There were also these articles, features, and lists crafted by our staff to inform, educated, and hopefully inspire or amuse you with stories about life, legacy, and everything in-between.
1. Dollar Dollar Bill Ya’ll
How To Manage A Large Cash Windfall
Anyone who hit the jackpot or came into a lot of cash in 2016 will find this very usefull. Anyone planning on hitting the jackpot in 2017 should be prepared.
Related: 10 Cute Ways To Sock Away Money | Does Your State Have Estate Or Inheritance Taxes? | Death Doesn’t Eliminate All Student Loans | This Much Money Is Wasted On Unused Gift Cards Every Year | Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Life Insurance?
2. To Those We Lost
Valuable Lessons Of How Muhammad Ali, David Bowie, And Celine Dion Planned For The Inevitable
2016 was basically an endless in memoriam for high profile deaths. Here we touch on a number of those we lost and how careful planning helped soften the impact for fans and family alike.
Related: Does It Even Matter If Prince Had A Will? | 7 Crucial Estate Planning Lessons From Famous People | This 91-Year-Old Woman Chose a Cross-Country Vacation Over Cancer Treatment
3. Digital Doings
Is Apple Evil For Not Giving iPad Password To Widow? Not Entirely.
This could happen to you if you don’t share passwords or access codes with the people you love and trust.
Related: How To Close More Than 180 Digital Accounts & Services | Quiz: How Many Skeletons Do You Have In Your Closet?
4. Family Matters
The 3 Things You Must Do To Leave Your House To Your Kids
Don't leave your kids headaches instead of property.
Related: How Difficult Is It To Talk With Your Family About Money? | Remove That Puffy Winter Coat Before Putting Your Kid In A Car Seat | Will Your Children Inherit Your Debts? | Quiz: Will Your Kids Fight Over Your Estate?
5. Ashes To Ashes...
Funeral & Burial Rituals From Around The World
You could have a traditional funeral… or you could be devoured by wild birds or crushed into fancy beads.
Related: 8 People Who Were Mistakenly Pronounced Dead | How To Tell If A Person Is Actually Dead
6. Memory Boost
Apps, Gadgets, And Services To Help You Stop Forgetting And Losing Stuff
We can’t expect our brains to do all the work, now can we?
Related: Realistic Tips To Help Keep Your Passwords And Digital Accounts Secure | How Hackers Can (Virtually) Kill You…
7. Doctor, Doctor. Gimme The News
Why Your Sense Of Smell Could Predict Your Death
Do you smell that? No? We might have some bad news for you then…
Related: Why Doctors Don’t Die In Hospitals Like The Rest Of Us | Quiz: Would You Make A Good Health Care Proxy? | Questions Every Doctor Should Ask Patients Over 65-Years-Old | Swedish Blood Donors Get A Text Message When Their Blood Saves A Life | Want To Donate Your Organs? There's An App For That.
8. So Refreshing
7 Life Events That Require An Immediate Estate Plan Refresh
If you’ve experienced any of the following things, you need to update your estate plan right now.
Related: 10 Important Questions To Consider When Choosing Your Executor | Just Married: Newlywed Estate Planning Cheat Sheet
9. Animalistic
What To Say To Someone Grieving The Loss Of A Pet (And Things You Should Never Say)
For most people, it’s not just a dog, cat, or other domesticated animal. They just lost a part of the family.
Related: The (Not So Secret) Life (Expectancy) Of Pets | Online Pet Memorial And Pet Loss Resources | Really New York, This Is How You Handle Dead Pets?
10. Odds & Ends (And Odd Ends)
Voting Advice From Beyond The Grave
These people used their obituaries as political statements.
Related: ‘Count Your Blessings - And Determine How To Pass Them On' | Quiz: Guess The Movie Tombstone
Bonus
Get A Plan In Place In 25 Days
No matter what time of year, this is the ideal way to get a plan in place in under a month. Now, bring on 2017!
Related: Acronym Quiz: Estate Planning Term Or Fictitious Organization?