Affairs in Order? Check

[Tony Nathanson]

One of my coworkers was transporting her father's ashes to be scattered. Somehow the urn/container fell over in the car and she had to vacuum some of "dad" out of the back seat. Stuff happens.

Speaking of ashes bloopers:

 

[Beth Gallagher]

People like Clark Howard advise against pre paying for funerals because the places may be sold or out of business before we use them.

The family-owned funeral home that my inlaws used to pre-pay their funerals was bought by a large corporation a few years ago. All the associated paperwork for prepaid services was honored because both my MIL and FIL were buried according to their wishes at no additional cost to the family.

 

[Beth Gallagher]

After talking with the lawyer's office that drew up our original wills in 2009, we were not about to pay the ridiculous fee they wanted to basically re-type our wills. So we called around and ended up making an appointment with the lawyer who handled my MIL's estate 3 years ago.

We met with him today and he said our wills don't even need "redoing" since they can simply add a codicil outlining the 2 changes. He said the wills can be re-written if we want but it is totally unnecessary. Funny that no other attorney mentioned this simple (cheap) solution.

I also asked him about other forms that might be needed at some point... powers of attorney (financial and medical), property deed that is 'transfer on death', HIPAA authorization, advance medical directive, etc. He is preparing all of those for each of us at a very reasonable cost. His office will contact us when the drafts are ready for our approval so we can proof them before signing.

I'm feeling like we got a lot of things taken care of today. I'll also say that it pays to shop around for legal services, just like anything else.

 

[Ken Anderson]

You are still leaving everything to me, aren't you, Beth?

 

[Kate Ellery]

We redone ours 12 months ago …..

 

[Beth Gallagher]

You are still leaving everything to me, aren't you, Beth?

 

[Mary Robi]

When I was in the hospital last July, my daughter and granddaughter came to visit at the same time. It's a rare occasion other than a birthday party that we're all together.

Since I was still pretty shaken up by the incident that got me in there, I thought it was a good time to talk to both of them about my new will.

We had a good talk about the will and my "final plans", my cremation policy, etc. My granddaughter will be my executor.

I am working on a book with all my info in it.

 

[Mary Stetler]

You are still leaving everything to me, aren't you, Beth?

No no! I am her favorite!

 

[Beth Gallagher]

No no! I am her favorite!

OK. Y'all will have to split the Aerogardens 50-50.