Design appears everywhere. From spider web to bridge spans, structure supports purpose. Trees have it, bees live it, and the earth orbits around it. Designs in nature inspire some while others procrastinate as time wears away incentive. When this happens our words may be forgotten, our purpose ignored, our intentions thwarted as others voice their will instead of our own.

Every transaction demands insight, understanding, and ownership. Without "Agreements" conflict erupts. Sometimes clients ask, "Why so much paperwork to open an investment account?" My answer: "To clarify my responsibility to you and yours to me." When done well, "Agreements" serve relationships with mutual satisfaction.

Our culture requires documentation, notarization, and signature guarantees with witnesses attesting. Unfortunately, few can be trusted to fulfill our will unless we put it in writing. Perhaps this one lesson makes Terri Schiavo's saga significant. "When in doubt write it out." Words define what you intend. No one can deny your will if you write it because usually "it is all about the money".

You may have approved all your legal documents. Good for you! When celebrating your birthday, get a physical exam and a legal review. If married, tell your spouse where you keep your private files and what to do when the time arrives.

Others reading this article may not have a written Will, completed a Durable Power of Attorney, or a Healthcare Proxy. Your attorney can guide you, but before calling the law office, take time to clarify your intentions by reviewing the following documents. Most readers require detailed Trusts; however, even the most astute have put off taking first steps. Take a look at the following Estate Planning Resources.

• Write Your Own Will: http://www.lawdepot.com/contracts/willus/index.php?pid=google-will_us-main_f1&a=t

• Online Estate Planning Tools For Life: http://www.legacywriter.com/Will_Home.html

• Legalzoom.com: http://www.legalzoom.com/wills/index2.html

• Research Durable Power Of Attorney and Healthcare Proxy Legal Zoom Document Service: http://www.legalzoom.com/index2.html

• Legacywriter.com: http://www.legalzoom.com/law_library/library_home.html

• US Legal Forms.com: http://www.uslegalforms.com/enter2.cgi?&affiliate=gldurpowatt1&document=/poweratty.htm&engine=adwords&keyword=durable+power+of+attorney

Do you need an attorney? Use the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys as your first resource: http://www.aaepa.com/attorney_listing.aspx. Always review your documents with a qualified attorney specializing in the services you need.

There may come a time when you cannot speak, so start writing now.

A Raymond Randall

A. Raymond (Ray) Randall, Jr. has seventeen years of experience with the financial services industry. He initiated his career with Mutual of New York (MONY) with a continuation as Insurance and Sales Associate with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. His Securities experience is with Prudential Securities, Inc. and A.G Edwards & Sons, Inc.

Ray has appeared on CNN on behalf of Investors Daily; he has broadcast level television experience with his program, "The BottomLine with Ray Randall," seen previously on a Boston NBC affiliate. His radio experience includes the public affairs program for WBOQ, Gloucester, and he authors Ethos Advisory Service's "Weekend in Review". Ray achieved his Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Massachusetts in 1977.

The former President of Eastern Point Advisors, Inc., Ray designed all marketing materials, hired staff, and trained all associated intermediaries on asset management theories, including modern portfolio theory. As President, Ray was key to raising more than 30 million dollars in their first full year of business.

Ray owns Ethos Advisory Services, an independent registered investment advisory service providing asset management services to institutional and private investors. Although Ray has held a Series 7 license, as well as life and health insurance licenses, he has decided to serve clients as a registered investment advisor.

Ethos Advisory Services provides services on a "fee only" basis.

Ethos Advisory Services recognizes the importance of life insurance and long-term care products by providing qualified professional referrals for clients needing such help. Ethos Advisory Services also provides extensive financial planning services, mortgage refinancing research, and estate planning help.

In addition to serving the clients of Ethos Advisory Services, Ray serves as the Chair of the Town of Essex Finance Committee, Moderator for the First Congregational Church of Essex, and as a Board Member and Chair of the Development Committee, Habitat For Humanity Cape Ann Affiliate. For seven years, Ray taught Investment Analysis at Gordon College, Wenham, MA. He serves as Selectman for the Town of Essex, MA (2005-2008)

Ray and Lisa live with their two children in a small community north of Boston, Massachusetts.

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