Hi, my name is Deborah Dillon, and I’m the founder of Living Smart Software and Living Smart’s Legal and Practical Guide to Living Alone (or with a Minor).

I worked in the investment field for nearly 25 years, first as Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of a life insurance company and then as owner of a successful investment firm, until I was diagnosed with a life threatening brain tumor in 2005. I had only a few short weeks to get a will, living will and all important estate documents as I prepared for brain surgery. However, what I wasn’t prepared for was the aftermath of surgery, hospitalization and the extensive recovery time in which I needed to depend on others to take care of my pets, my home, my financial and work matters.

I was very lucky that, despite expectations to the contrary by the doctors, I made a full recovery. After my experience and the difficulties encountered by those trying to care for me in a time of crisis, I was determined to find a way to help others to easily and inexpensively prepare for the inevitable illnesses, emergencies and crises which will occur in all of our lifetimes – usually with no warnings at all. I learned that, while it is important to prepare for death, it is even more important to prepare for life. So I created Living Smart’s Legal and Practical Guide to Living Alone (or with a Minor). Everyone needs a helping hand from time to time; let me give you the tools to enable others to give you that help when you need it most.