What happens to your therapy clients if you die?

We all die. And I hope you die after a long and fulfilling life after you’ve retired and spent 20 years in the south of France. But what if that’s not your story? What if you die when your therapy practice is active and thriving? What happens to your clients if you’re gone unexpectedly?

That depends on you. If you don’t have a plan for what happens if you die or become incapacitated, there will be confusion and heartbreak.

·       Your clients could feel abandoned or unsafe.

·       Your records could be mishandled or destroyed.

·       Your family or friends may be required to contact your clients.

·       Your business could become a costly problem for your friends or family.

Many therapists don’t consider a death or incapacitation plan soon enough. It’s a thing that’s on our to-do list but it lingers there week after week. But you need a plan and it’s pretty easy to make one, especially with the right support.

So what happens to your clients if you die during their treatment, but you do have a plan?

• A caring and competent professional will contact your clients.

• Clients will be given referrals and instructions for accessing their records.

• Your family can be minimally involved in the closure of your practice.

• Your to-do list will be shorter because you finally checked off “MAKE A PROFESSIONAL WILL!”

• Your legacy will be protected, along with your clients and your loved ones

A professional will gives clear and organized guidance to your professional executor/administrator to close your practice with care.

It might take 2 hours of your time to make a good one. That’s it. Two hours to save hundreds of dollars and annoyances if you die unexpectedly; that’s a pretty good deal.