Please learn from this!

[sunflower1229]

 My father passed away a week ago. I was in the process of getting his finances in order but he passed so suddenly...I did not get alot done. I am now faced with getting his pension and social security in order for Mom...since I am POA. I have found a living will but not his last will. I do not know where it is. I did not want to discuss that with him..it seemed creepy..I should have. I do not know about his investments because I thought it was none of my business how much money my parents had. Their mortgage...I found out..was signed by my Dad only. Does this mean that their house is paid for? Luckily, I have legal services on my side. My POA over Daddy went away with his death. His bank accounts were locked because I never checked to see if my Mom had her info on the account. I figured since her name was on it, it was. I was wrong. I was not able to access accounts to pay her bills. I had to run around town presenting his death certificate to businesses. I have been on the phone calling creditors. I found 3 different life insurance policies that were already paid out but it took a few days to find out. My Dad had most of his bill set up for auto pay and on-line pay. Someone shut down his computer and I did not have the password. I thankfully figured it out.

PLEASE...get your parents affairs in order. Find out about all the things first that I am learning about now. Don't be afraid to ask. I haven't had time to grieve....I have a two week deadline before his bills start coming out. Find out passwords, account numbers, wills.(where they are), burial arrangements and life insurance policies. I never got around to it. Ask questions ...even if you think it is none of your business.  I wish I had.

[beanielips]

Jul. 21, 2009 at 8:51 PM

Yes!  This is a MUST!  We should also all do this with our spouse.  Even if we are young.  Make a will, put all accounts in a place that you both know where it is.  If you have seperate bank accounts make sure there is a way for you to access it.  I have a binder that has all of these things in it.  It is locked away, but everyone knows where to find it in ICE.

It is creepy, weird and something no one wants to do~ but doing it before hand makes sure you can stop and grieve.

[cjcharlie1959]

Jul. 22, 2009 at 9:33 AM

Yes, but on an added verbage.  Talk to your kids if grown where that stuff is.  Have all the information in one place preferred (written down) and let them know where it is. What your going through you don't want your grown children to have to go through either. If you have small children then talk to who will have custody and trust accounts.