If You Suddenly Died...

[cabinetman]

Were there family issues that you kept putting off?

Any individuals you didn't have a chance to have "that" talk.

Is there anything on your computer you wouldn't want to be found?

.

[TB Roye]

I took care of any family issues last year before my surgery to repair a Abdominal Aneurysm. Made a will, which was updated recently. Advanced medical directive and made sure my Son's both new where everything financial was and how to access financial website on my computer, I have a small notebook with all my password that is kept in a safe. It also include instructions on what to do with woodworking/pen turning stuff and my collection of racing memorabilia, this in not souvenirs but a collection of historical stuff from the Indy 500. The is also specific instruction on how to handle my collection of dicast car models.

I did say things to a few people, family and friends just incase I didn't make it.

There is nothing on my computer that will embarrass me or others. I had a couple of friends who passed away suddenly and left embarrassing things on their computer. I have my computer set to clear cache, history and cookies. Besides I don't go wandering around the internet any more, did once and ended up on a kiddie porn site, lesson learned. Cost me a new hard drive because I was so scared I removed the HD and through it in the river. This was years ago when I first went on the net. Now when I retired I did leave a few things on my work computer to F with my replace as her was a complete hole. I got a number of callw wanting to know what I did to Sam, nothing bad just change the formulas in a couple of spread sheets that I developed and delete my files that he hoped to use.

I also have letters written to members of my family especially my Grandkids letting them know how I feel about them, I try to update them twice a year while I can. I also have DVDs for each of them with pictures of each one of them taken at various times and activities.

All this being said, I am sure I will leave something undone, but that is life.

Tom

[herb fellows]

I like your idea of word docs and a cd , I'm going to borrow that one.

[JimD]

My father in law wrote his own obiturary (he is still with us). It isn't a bad idea, it is not a lot of fun for the loved ones. If you have other instructions - cremation or not, what you want your body to wear for the viewing (possible with cremation too), where you want to be buried, songs you want sung and by whom at your memorial service, pall bearers, who you want to preside at the memorial service, what cities you want your obit to appear, etc..

I did all this for my late wife, we were completely unprepared, but when you are grieving your mind is not at it's best and anything you can pre-arrange will help. The rest of the family helped me and we got it done. More recently my dad died and he had paid and arranged for most of it. But his package did not include the little brochure at the memorial service, or the casket spray or any other flowers, and a few other things. I now know more than I ever wanted to about this so I helped.

Jim

[BobSch]

My mother had everything arranged and pre-paid for her funeral. I had never thought about how much easier it made things for my brother and I until that day came. Shortly after she passed my wife and I did the same thing. we don't have any kids and all the nieces and nephews have to do is show up at our memorial services.

Oh, and we gave each family a copy of all the appropriate docs. Now all that's left is to update our wills.

[conwaygolfer]

I think it's just as important is to make "peace" with individuals before they pass on also. When my father died I had no regrets, but I have known so many people that have a hard time living with theirselves because they did not take care of "business" while they had the chance. Just saying.

Conwaygolfer

[TB Roye]

That will be my next project is to arrange and pay for our cremation and instruction where to scatter my ashes. Then I will be done with the end of life stuff. I still plan on seeing my two Granddaughters walk down the isle either for the weddings or their college graduation or both. The surgery last year woke me up to the fact you never know and you best plan ahead this way you don't leave you loved ones to make the decisions. My biggest fear is Alzheimer's or dementia, they scare me more than the big C. AT least with cancer you have cance and can fight back if you choose, the two your done.
Tom

[schloff]

My wife isn't very computer savvy. I made a word file and printed it for her. Put it in the "little" safe. The one that she can open.

It contains all pertinent info. SSN, birthday, "big" safe instructions and a few trusted friends names who can help her open it and with the contents, final wishes, contact info for insurance policies, work insurance info and plans, tax info, instructions for personal posessions to be passed...

I try not to make any situations that need clarification later. I try to "bury the hatchet" as situations arise.

My computer is good. I have pretty good judgment about what I visit. Although visiting this site as often as I do might prove their suspsicion of my sanity. hahaha

I have nothing in my instructions for my tools. so y'all might want to put in a good word, or keep your eyes on Craigslist.

[Bruce Cohen]

Why are you asking?

Hey Cab,
Are you OK, this is one he## of a morbid subject to start the day with.

Considering once I'm dead, I really don't give a rat's butt where my stuff goes, I mean all the insurance has my wife as beneficiary, the only thing left are my tools (considerable) and my weapons worth a good amount.

I assume the wife will get someone who specializes in estate auctions to dispose of them, unless you or anyone else would like the honor (for a small fee) to be listed as the recipient of any or all of my stuff.

P.S. The C-4 and det. cord are already spoken for.

As always and in a pissed mood (still have the efffing cast on)

Bruce

[JimD]

We had everything in either both names or my name (only a few things but would have created some issues if I had died instead of my wife). A problem you have in SC if your spouse dies intestate (without a will) is your house. By law, my son and daughter were to get half the equity in the house. Both were old enough to sign a waiver and knew their mother would not have wanted them to come into a windfall that I would have to get another mortgage to finance (or sell the house). So I was OK. I think it's a stupid law and it is inconsistent with the uniform probate provisions (which state this only happens if some of the kids are not kids of the surviving spouse).

That is just one problem you could have not planning ahead. I would start with the will, the the health care power of atourney. Then if you are kind, you can leave some instructions and pre-pay for your final arrangements. I've done the first things and am counting on not needing to take care of final arrangements for awhile.

Jim