Sally Balch Hurme, is an elder law attorney and longtime expert on aging, family caregiving, and end‑of‑life planning. She has spent decades working with families on issues such as long‑term care, estate planning, and decision‑making during medical crises, and she has also served in advisory and educational roles related to aging and public policy.
In Checklist for My Family: A Guide to My History, Financial Plans, and Final Wishes, Hurme delivers a practical, compassionate resource designed to help individuals organize the information their loved ones will need in the event of illness, incapacity, or death.
The book’s strength lies in its checklist format, which walks readers through topics that are often postponed because they feel overwhelming or uncomfortable. Hurme covers far more than just finances.
The guide prompts readers to record personal history, key contacts, legal documents, financial accounts, insurance policies, digital assets, medical preferences, and final wishes.
By breaking these subjects into clear, manageable sections, the book reduces the likelihood that important details are forgotten or left scattered across files, emails, and conversations.
This book is especially useful because it is about preparing families to act with clarity and confidence when it matters most. For spouses, adult children, and other caregivers, having this information in one place can significantly reduce stress, conflict, and uncertainty during already emotional times.
For the person completing the checklist, the process itself often leads to better conversations and more intentional planning. In short, Checklist for My Family is a valuable complement to professional financial and estate planning—helping ensure that a well‑designed plan can actually be carried out smoothly by the people you care about most.