There are few things more overwhelming than becoming the only name on every decision.

Not long ago, I had a partner in everything—financial choices, home maintenance, legal paperwork, you name it. Then, life changed. And suddenly, it was all mine to handle.

I’m not a lawyer, and nothing in this post is meant as legal advice. I’m just a homeowner and realtor sharing my personal experience as someone who recently became a widow. When my husband passed, one of the few things that made an incredibly hard situation even slightly more manageable was the fact that we had set up a trust.

If you're a homeowner in Pataskala, especially navigating life solo—whether through loss, divorce, or aging independently—I want to gently encourage you to consider getting your affairs in order. Not because I have legal expertise, but because I’ve lived through what it looks like when you're suddenly responsible for everything, and I want to share what helped me.

💼 What a Trust Did for Me—And Why It Mattered

Again, I’m not an attorney. But from my side of the experience, having a living trust in place made a world of difference. It allowed me to:

• Handle the sale of a vacant lot without going through probate

The thought of building a new home without Terry to help with the process was overwhelming. When the opportunity to sell that lot came, I was able to do so easily.

• Avoid extra delays or legal headaches

• Access what I needed to pay bills, make decisions, and move forward

• Focus on grieving instead of fighting paperwork

It didn’t take the pain away, but it gave me more space to handle it.

🏡 Why It Matters for Solo Homeowners

If you're now the one managing everything—especially if you own property—a trust (along with other important legal documents) might prevent your loved ones from facing long delays and court filings when you pass. Please talk to a qualified estate attorney to explore your options. What worked for me may not be what’s right for you. But starting the conversation early makes all the difference.

📝 Some Things I’m Glad We Had in Place

These were the documents I found most helpful after my loss:

• A trust for our home and key accounts

• A will to clarify other personal wishes

• Power of attorney documents (financial and medical)

Again, none of this is legal advice—just a list from one widow to another of what helped reduce the chaos during a very emotional time.

💬 Where This Connects to Real Estate

As a Pataskala-based realtor, I often see homeowners or their families hit unexpected walls during a sale because legal documents weren’t prepared. Setting things up now—before there’s an emergency might save you (and your family) a lot of heartache.

If you're planning to downsize, transfer property, or just want to understand how your home fits into your future plans, I’d be happy to talk it through. And if you need a good local attorney, I know a few I can refer you to.

❤️ This Isn’t About Fear—It’s About Peace

Preparing ahead doesn’t mean you expect the worst—it just means you value clarity. And if sharing my story helps even one other person avoid more heartache, I’m grateful to do it.

With care,
Sheila Howell