I have been thinking, writing, and talking about death every day for the past week with morbid fascination.

"I see dead people…" one editor whispers mischievously as I pass him.

But when the dead are laid to rest, the living are burdened with over-due debts that were not settled by the deceased.

To avoid nightmare scenarios after death, legal experts advise families to plan ahead for the event, keeping their relatives, spouses and children in mind. Lack of financial planning, may lead to intense family arguments or resentment about money.

Dubai's inheritance laws are based on the Islamic principles of Sharia law, where the deceased's estate is divided among family members. It is applied to Muslims and those who do not have a will.

Lawyers advise both Muslims and non-Muslims to draw up a will, not only to divide the inheritance but also to decide on the children's guardian. Consult a lawyer to discuss your specific case and family needs.

Buy life insurance to cover your debts and provide income to the survivors in case of death or disability. Talk with an insurance company about your debt and how much income your family needs.

There are two types of insurance: Term insurance is temporary and provides coverage for a fixed number of years for a specified premium. If you die before this period and named beneficiaries, they receive a payout. No payment is made if you do not die before that term. If you miss a payment, the policy lapses and you don't get coverage.

Whole life insurance is flexible and provides coverage until your death. It has built-in savings scheme to support life coverage. If you miss a payment, the value of the policy is reduced to pay it off.

Premiums

The premium is higher than term insurance because it is invested in mutual funds. Decide on a high or low growth rate. If you choose a low growth rate, you need a higher premium to sustain the policy.

Premiums are higher for older people, men (due to lower life expectancy than women), smokers, and those with risky jobs or hobbies. The policy may exclude debt if you die in certain danger zones like Afghanistan. You may opt for accidental death benefits in addition to life coverage. A police report and autopsy will be required.

Payments are made within two weeks to a month after death only if you nominate beneficiaries and they provide a death certificate, policy documents and ID.

Also make sure you consistently pay off your debts. Any outstanding debts at the time of death must be paid off before the inheritors receive anything. This includes credit card bills, car loans, utility bills, parking tickets and mortgage.

Talk openly with your family about your finances and all debts, no matter how worrisome. Sorting them out as a family while you are alive is much less painful than leaving your loved ones struggling alone with your debt after your death.

Mohammad Marria, a lawyer with Just Wills, is calling for an alternative system in Dubai to protect expats. Keeping the "either or survivor" bank accounts open after death of the account holder, having life insurance built into bank loans, giving a valid six-month visa to sort out loose ends, and making it compulsory for companies to give death and services benefitsto workers and a temporary company visa to their families.

Death is a part of life and both need to be in financial order before it is too late.