HELL-low, it’s been a while hasn’t it. Things are mostly the same for me, maybe a bit better, it’s hard to tell sometimes.
A friend died a couple months ago and I’m having minor surgery next month, so the paperwork of life & death have been on my mind lately.
I’m filling out an **Advance Health Care Directive **now, but what other paper work do I need to take care of?
A will seems pointless as I’m on disability. I have 88 cents in my checking and half of my belongings are milk crates. My most valued items are my computer & mini fridge.
There is no Life insurance or prepaid burial plans. The city/country will have to deal with my remains.
What other decisions should I make now, while I still can?
If you have any assets at all, I don’t think a will is pointless. There are two purposes for a will:
to assure that your assets go to the heirs you intend; and
to assure that the state doesn’t have to spend a lot of time and money trying to figure out who should receive your assets and how to find those people.
Even if #1 doesn’t matter to you, #2 would be a helpful consideration. IANAL, but ISTM a simple will declaring that your entire estate should be donated to Goodwill would take care of it. Bundle it together with your AHCD and keep them in a prominent place in your home (e.g. stuck to the front of the fridge) or with an acquaintance who is likely to be made aware of your death. For your upcoming surgery, you might provide these documents to your health care team.
God, I hate thinking about this stuff. I’m looking at challenges in my health care, recently. So it’s been on my mind too.
I think POA should cover most things, advocacy if you’re unable to make decisions for your health care and /or financial things.
I have an inherited bit of money stashed away. I put my youngest daughter as sole beneficiary. She’s now at an age of majority. I worried when she was minor that it would be taken away from her. The way she’s spending lately, I may to rethink her having all that ready cash:)
Good luck on your surgery, Foggy.
That’s fine, but what if you knock on wood somehow become impaired but otherwise stable? Who is going to collect your disability checks and shop for food, pay your electric bill, and so on?
