Life is a bunch of roses until something unexpected happens. How prepared are you and your family when life throws you a curve ball? Here are three documents you must have if you want to sleep well at night.A Will
A will is a legal document that states how you want your assets to be disbursed you’re your death. ___% of families do not have a will. When you die without a will, it is known as intestate, this means your state will decide how your property is disbursed. If you do have a will…great; however, this is what you need to know. A will only goes into effect upon your death. In addition, if you die with only a will, it must go through probate court. This can be a long drawn out, expensive and very public process.

A Revocable Living Trust
A revocable living trust has a lot more muscle than a will. This document allows you to accomplish two things. First, you can transfer ownership of any asset to the trust while you are still alive. Secondly, it allows you to name a trustee (the person who will manage the assets for you). The main advantage of the revocable living trust is that it side steps the whole process of probate court.  Again by avoiding probate court you can allocate possessions immediately, potentially save thousands of dollars and maintain your privacy.

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOAHC)
A DPOAHC does two things. First it tells health care providers the level of medical intervention that you want in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself and secondly it appoints someone to advocate your wishes if you cannot. The best example that I can give is Terry Schiavo. When Terry was 26 years old she suffered a heart attack that left her in a permanent vegetative state. Her husband wanted to take her off life support however her parents wanted the exact opposite. The drama that ensued was played out on a national platform, in the legal courts and the court of public opinion. If Terry Schiavo had a DPOAHC her wishes, not her husband’s or parents, would have been carried out quickly and privately.

Now if you already have these documents, congratulations! When was the last time you looked at them? Are the beneficiaries updated? Do you need to add or delete anything or anyone? Pull them out today and make your wishes known.

Golda Smith is a Primerica Financial Services representative, writer and stay-at-home mom. For more information, visit www.primerica.com/goldasmith

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Historically, alcoholism, domestic violence, divorce, depression and suicide often increase during periods of economic upheaval. We’re also more likely to reach for unhealthy foods, overeat and smoke during stressful times, raising the risk of heart disease, cancer and other chronic conditions.

Employee requests for therapists have increased 15-20% over the past three months, according to the CEO of ComPsych, one of the largest employee assistance programs in the U.S. But there’s a silver lining in ComPsych’s data: busy therapists and counselors mean more people are recognizing the dangers of stress and reaching out for help.

If you’ve ever needed extra motivation, taking better care of your self could not only save your life, but your job. It’s no secret American companies have been outsourcing jobs overseas in large part because of rising health care costs. Smoking, obesity, alcohol and poor eating habits all drive up the price of health care coverage. In the face of growing financial constraints, unhealthy employees will be targeted for firing or reduced pay.

It’s already happening. At Scott’s Miracle-Grow Company, employees who test positive for nicotine can find themselves in the unemployment line. At other companies such as Indianapolis-based Clarian Health, high-risk employees, including smokers and overweight workers, can see $25-30 deducted from each paycheck. Plus in an era when more and more companies are cutting back on paid sick leave, time out of the office even for a few days could result in lost in wages and threaten job security.

These policies might seem harsh—and even raise privacy concerns, but they’re powerful incentives for employees to take better care of themselves. To their credit, many employers, including the two listed above, offer wellness programs that reward employees for taking steps to improve their health.

The bottom line: during these uncertain and stressful times, it’s even more important to be proactive about your health.

The study, commissioned by Northwestern Mutual in partnership with LLuminari, a network of women’s health experts, found that women who take control of their finances are healthier and happier than women who don’t.

Women who proactively manage their finances are significantly more likely to report that they are happy, confident, hopeful and in excellent to very good health. They’re also are less likely to report feeling worried, regretful, conflicted, disappointed and depressed.

According to the study, nearly three-quarters of women place a high importance on financial security, compared to 62% of men, but only 14% of women report feeling financially prepared, and are less satisfied than men with the progress they’re making toward meeting their financial goals.

The study also identified the financial habits of women who feel the most financially secure and the least stressed. The seven habits are:

1. Have a financial plan
2. Have short-term and long-term financial goals
3. Take active steps to achieve your financial goals
4. Take steps to protect your family from financial misfortune
5. Pay off credit cards every month and have good credit standing
6. Spend within your budgets
7. Work with a financial professional.

For more information about the study and a quiz on healthy financial habits: www.sevenfinancialhabits.com

Do you have financial habits that add to your stress or make life easier? Share your thoughts and tips in the comment section below. Best comment this month wins a free book.