Video Portraits ~ DOCUMENTATION ~ Cynthia Tickell

·       Documentation (Insurance, Property History and Recovery)

To compliment your property insurance, be sure to create a photo/video record of your home and property. Start with the outside of your home (in case of fire, flood, storm, or vandalism). Be sure to shoot your home from all sides as well as capture your trees and gardens. Then go room to room, describing the contents and recording any details and serial numbers. Consider dual-purposing the recording to also be used as part of your will and personalize it by giving the history of each object. Also make the time to narrate each of your photo albums. Then make copies of the recording and store them securely, away from your home.

·       Instructions (Living Will, Will, Property Disbursement)

Responsible planners protect their family by maintaining an updated Living Will (dictating what end-of-life care they want), and a Will (for monetary and property distribution).

Having a video explaining those same wishes can make it much easier for the family to accept the planner's decisions. Help your heirs through that difficult time by preparing that video now. Prevent emotional arguments that can occur when family members interpret you medical wishes differently. And, to support your Will, give the history of your heirlooms and the reason why you would like them distributed as you have requested.

In addition to a Video Portrait, leaving a message of love and encouragement can help your family heal.