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By J.R. TIDWELL / Editor

Jan Neal of Jan Neal Law Firm gave a presentation on end-of-life planning to those gathered at Clanton Senior Center on July 18.

Neal makes the presentations in partnership with the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging (M4A).

“We cover a wide range of topics,” she said. “This information is absolutely critical. I don’t think there is an educational element going on out there for seniors.”

Neal handed out guides printed by her law firm and went over different important aspects of planning for one’s final days.

“I want you to envision the reality of the day after you die,” she said during the seminar. “What is your family going to do? Do they know what your accounts are, and what you own? That’s why the planning is so important. To have things written down and tell someone where to go. If someone had only planned, it might make it a lot easier on their family when they died.”

Neal went over things like wills, funeral arrangements, control of assets and having important documents together and available to those who might need them.

“A lot of times what people will do is give someone a copy of a document, they will keep the original and promptly lose it,” she said. “I have seen this happen. You want to make sure the person who needs that document has access to the original. These things sound so elementary. I’m here to tell you as a person who deals with these problems, that is where it breaks down. People lose their documents or no one can find them.”

Neal went over other aspects of end-of-life planning that some people do not think of, such as care of pets for those who have passed away.

“I recently did a will for someone who had very specific information for care for their pets, which I thought was highly responsible,” Neal said. “A lot of people have pets, and they need to be looked out for.”

Anyone seeking more information on M4A may call 1-800-243-5463 or visit m4a.org.

Those interested in contacting Neal for legal advice may call 1-800-270-7635 or visit janneallaw.com.