IF YOU LOVE THEM LEAVE THEM LISTS
Printed in canada
AMAZON
barnes & noble
Indigo
apple ibooks
This is a book that needed to be written, to answer questions that we are all afraid to ask, and to help in a situation with which we are all acquainted but prefer to avoid. It’s a book that you don’t want to need.
Author Catherine Rahal shares her early tragic experience with her spouse’s death and subsequent losses. Her personal insights inform this book, allowing her to provide an easier out for you. This book of lists and reminders serves to transition you and your loved ones through that inevitable last journey. This book is not about taxes, although it touches on that topic too.
In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.
Benjamin Franklin
The Big Questions
The ones we don’t want to think about
01.
Incapacity
How to leave instructions and critical information in the event of your disability
02.
Money
Identify people, documents, and resources for managing your money when you can’t
03.
What you own
Establish what will happen to your physical and digital “stuff”
04.
When you are gone
How to ensure that your unique final wishes are known
Leaving Them Lists
Essential info for those stepping in for you
Workbook
An essential (and cathartic) guide
This workbook will not only be a cathartic aid to dealing with life’s last chapter but will help you to ease those difficulties that inevitably arise when either unexpected tragedy strikes or a natural death occurs. Smoothing the path of things and processes will leave more time for family, grieving, remembering, and healing.
Who this is for
Helpful for all adult life stages
While those of us over 50 may be more likely to want or need a book like this, a read-through may be helpful to those younger who are still in the accumulation stage of life – that is, you may begin thinking differently about what and how much you accumulate, from kitchenware and furniture to collectibles.
Applicable worldwide
But written in Quebec
LISTS was written in Quebec, in Canada, and that is reflected in its pages. However, the information provided is applicable across the world. Each jurisdiction has its own rules, and it would be impossible to catalogue all of them in one slim volume. The basic information offered here is needed everywhere.
About
Author Bio
Catherine Rahal was born in the post-war wreckage of Berlin, Germany, grew up in the eastern United States, and followed her late husband to Montreal in Quebec, Canada in 1982. Personal tragedy and financial disaster early in life motivated her to pursue work as a personal financial advisor from 1991 through 2018. Catherine is a published writer, whose personal finance columns have appeared on the Canoe Money website and in the Montreal Gazette. Certifications in elder planning along the way became the catalyst for working on ways to simplify important decisions for those of us of a certain age. Since “retirement” is not in her vocabulary, the “Lists” project took shape soon after she’d seen clients for the last time. While more flexible time leaves room for family, friends, and especially for much-loved grandchildren, there are other projects in the pipeline.
Designer Bio
Wendy Moenig started her career as a radio copywriter where a commercial had 30–60 seconds to tell its story; stories were cut to their essence. She progressed from aural through visual media — through television, interior design, the film industry, fine arts, then to graphic design — where telling a story with text and image also requires precision cutting — which helps reveal the beauty of the project. For the past 21 years, her passion for design combined with a typically Canadian passion while working as Senior Graphic Designer for a Canadian NHL team. Wendy has lived and worked in Calgary, Victoria, Vancouver, and Ottawa. Her freelance clients span those provinces, as well as Quebec. She shares a home with her biologist husband, on a river in a scenic former mill town in Eastern Ontario.
Don’t Wait!
If You Love Them Leave Them Lists — A Guide to Navigate Difficult Conversations and Organize Your Affairs, written by Catherine Rahal, is a short and informative guide on how to organize your affairs to help you prepare a roadmap or legacy notebook, serving as a guide for your representatives: your power of attorney and mandatary or healthcare and financial proxy, and eventually, your executor (liquidator) when you pass away.
I’d like to imagine that my affairs are in order, that my children will have in hand
precisely what to do in the event of my passing. I felt warmed to know that my children would be eased during this challenging time, as much as can be, with my legacy notebook guiding them. If one wants to feel reassured that all is in order, as is sometimes said, this is the book to follow.
Author Rahal shares her harrowing experiences and how she came to write this guide.
This is what happened to me, and I don’t want this to happen to you is one message I received. A second message is the importance of letting everyone know who your representatives are. A third message: Don’t wait.
From the habits of pets to the often-complicated world of social media passwords and usernames, this guide aims to leave nothing out. Hopefully, one day this guide will become known as The Rahal Guide.
Let’s see what the Rahal Guide recommends!
Testimonials
What People Are Saying
Sign me up for a copy! LISTS should be on every family’s bookshelf. It takes the hard work out of summing up their financial lives – now they just have to fill in the blanks! It’s very well organized and, I would think, accessible to even those most timorous and reluctant to face facts – i.e., everyone dies. Of course, the info/preamble is important, but including actual, suggested ready-to-use lists is a no-brainer for those who don’t want to invent their own methods. Why mess with the (obviously) best? I particularly like the tone – neighbourly, clear, concise – what more could I expect? Your own stories are warm and succinct – confidence-promoting.
Linde Howe-Beck Journalist and Critic
My mother passed suddenly when I was in my forties. It was unexpected and traumatic but I didn’t realize at the time that it would take another two years of often frustrating work to untangle even her small and simple estate. I resolved then to do better for my kids but, like many people, I didn’t know where to start and found the topic off-putting. Enter Catherine Rahal and IF YOU LOVE THEM LEAVE THEM LISTS. She approaches this difficult topic with compassion and humour, giving support and counsel in equal measure. Above all, though, she provides a remarkably rich and thorough framework for me to plan my estate. Her abundance of checklists and forms have allowed me a running head start and will ensure that I don’t forget anything important along the way. I wish I had this book 12 years ago, but it is never too late!
Brian Bradley Healthcare worker & father of two
You may think you have your house in order but this book — IF YOU LOVE THEM LEAVE THEM LISTS — will confirm if that is true. It is an important guide and a huge help in ‘filling in the blanks’ of your life. It is especially important if you think there could be disagreements between family members when it comes to dealing with your estate – no matter how small. LISTS is probably the most useful gift you can give yourself or to anyone you care about.
Fern MartinPlaywright, Songwriter, Actor, Activist, Influencer
There is nothing more comforting than being organized, having your ducks in a row. I started to populate the lists in Leave them Lists as I read through the book. Thank you Catherine Rahal and Wendy Moenig for helping put my affairs in order!
Jeff MillsCommunity Engagement Director, Carebridge Community Support
I met the author of this book accidentally at a Memorial gathering for one of my former colleagues just two weeks after my official retirement as a Professor of Chemistry at McGill University. It was a really opportune discovery since I’m now over 80 years old and I was already beginning to plan things for my wife in case I passed away quite suddenly. Access to this book afforded me the opportunity to prepare proper lists of things that my wife and family members would need to do without having to hunt around the house. I did have a good idea of what to do, but the book made the whole process much easier. This is the perfect “how to” book to help families plan for the unfortunate demise of their loved ones.
Ian S. ButlerProfessor of Chemistry (ret.), McGill University
Thank goodness for this book. After I turned 50 I couldn’t stop thinking about the rest of my life and all the “adult” things I should have in place in case of my death.
There are so many “what if’s” to consider and Catherine and Wendy have thought of them all. This book has been a lifesaver ….. I know having it all filled out offers peace of mind that my loved ones will be spared complications…when the time comes.
Dahna WeberEntrepreneur
Seriously, this effort is a game changer…Many people want to do this, but they simply do not know where to begin. Yes, there are the obvious things like lawyer, will, etc. but listing all the other things is hugely helpful.
Janet Dussault
My 95 year old Mom read it and said “this should be available at every notary and lawyer’s office”!
I found your book to be tremendously helpful and comforting. I think you addressed a very important need in our society and have provided to seniors like me a wonderful and essential organizational tool.
Henry RothCORE Business Centre
Thank you so much for the Guide! It is priceless and a must for every family. Very comprehensive and full of acute remarks for those who are not familiar with the intricacy and loopholes of a succession settling. I will definitely recommend your Guide to my friends.
I was impressed by the quality of the Guide and I would like to reiterate my appreciation of your very professional work.
Géhad Rizk
Previous
Next
Reviews
Edith Cody-RicePublisher and Contributing Editor – Full review from The Millstone News Read More
This book by Quebec based financial advisor Catherine Rahal and designer/collaborator
and Almonte resident Wendy Moenig should be in every adult home. Catherine Rahal
addresses in clear and simple language the information you should leave for your family or
executor in case of your incapacity or death…The book’s approach is personable but the
message is clear. This is work that must be done and the information in the book and the
accompanying lists tell you how to get to it. It does not all need to be compiled at one go
but, over time, it must be compiled if you love those who will have to handle your affairs.
(Click here to read the full review from The Millstone News)
Paul DeleanPersonal Finance Columnist, Montreal Gazette Read More
If you died or were incapacitated, and people went through your dresser, closets and private papers, what would they discover about you that they might not have known? What would they consider valuable, if anything? Whom would they contact to share the news?
It’s uncomfortable to contemplate, but it happens to everyone in time…Longtime local financial adviser Catherine Rahal, author of a new book titled If You Love Them, Leave Them Lists calls it “creating your roadmap,” so that others will have some idea how to close your final chapter cleanly and with minimal inconvenience. (Click here to read the full review from The Montreal Gazette)
Midwest Book Review Margaret Lane Read More
Impressively ‘user friendly’ in organization and presentation, “If You Love Them Leave Them Lists: A Guide to Navigate Difficult Conversations and Organize Your Affairs” is an ideal and effective DIY guide to preparing your legacy for your chosen beneficiaries. All to often a sudden death will leave loved ones scrambling to deal with all that such a loss will entail — that’s why “If You Love Them Leave Them Lists: A Guide to Navigate Difficult Conversations and Organize Your Affairs” is such a necessary preventative to such confusion and anxiety with respect to passing on your estate to the next generation according to your wishes. It should be noted that “If You Love Them Leave Them Lists: A Guide to Navigate Difficult Conversations and Organize Your Affairs” is also available in a digital book format
Previous
Next
Your Copy is Waiting for You at:
Printed in Canada
AMAZON
barnes & noble
Indigo
apple ibooks
Discount pricing available for larger orders!
For bulk orders, contact [email protected].
Ask about personalization of bulk orders with your logo or name.