Time to get things in order, to help those left behind.

[rustic]

Well, an odd post, but sadly true, yesterday morning we had the sad news that my step mother had been found dead in bed after the Police had broken down the door. She had been dead a while.
It was a big birthday of mine a few days before, you know the one... free prescriptions, 10% discount at B&Q on Wednesdays, and I had been trying to phone her to thank her for my birthday present over the following few days. We hadn't been able to get through, a friend had called by to take her out on her weekly evening outing... Then the alarm bells started...

As it happens, her brother is organising the funeral, and he asked me if I knew if she had left a will...

We had no idea, my Father had long gone, so she was on her own, and no one knows where or if there is a will. We never talked about it... you don't really do you?
It's not nice searching through her belongings so early on.

No, asking for the will is not money grabbing so and so's, but for things like her wishes for funeral arrangements etc.
We have made a best guess of what we believe she wanted, but believe me, it does nothing to help us with the grieving process.
Have we made the right decision ? :nenau
Well she won't complain.

So, even though you might be in great health now, think of those left behind, you never know if, as a couple you both get wiped out in one incident.
Would your loved ones know what to do.

Get that will written... let your immediate family know where it is, and keep it updated for your wishes, life changes, so should your will.

Picking up the pieces only adds to the grief, so think of others left to sort this out.
The solicitor will be sending out a round robin message to all solicitors in the area to search their records.

Richard ( Rustic ).

 

[AlexD333]

Good speech well made hope it goes smoothly for you.

 

[briggie]

sincere condolences mate , been there twice , with both mum and dad , not very pleasant .

 

[jims-terrano]

So sorry to hear that Rustic. Have to say though you are talking perfect sense and yeah its a difficult subject.

 

[Sweety]

So very sorry to hear the sad news Rustic & our thoughts are with you & the rest of the family.
TBH i've never got around to making a will yet:doh but know i'm going to have to get it sorted out sooner than later. I know my parents have one & it's kept at their solicitors

 

[solarman216]

I am not certain on this but think if a solicitor does a will it is logged onto a central database, but this may only apply to fairly recent ones due to modern technology, sorry none the less of your loss, Rick

 

[rustic]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your best wishes it helps a lot.:thumb2

 

[spinna]

So sorry to hear of your loss Rustic.
You have brought up a very important subject that many just put off, myself included. We really don't know what's around the corner. So I will endeavour to get my will sorted sooner rather than later.

 

[rustic]

So sorry to hear of your loss Rustic.
You have brought up a very important subject that many just put off, myself included. We really don't know what's around the corner. So I will endeavour to get my will sorted sooner rather than later.

It often takes something like this to think about it.

Watching all those adverts on TV for paying into funeral payment plans just goes over your head, we all switch off our minds to it.
I don't believe that they represent good value for money either, I can't see how they could ever pay out more than you put in, let alone break even.
After all, it is the only thing that you can't prove, you have been miss sold.
Let alone put a claim in.:augie

 

[kitchenman]

If you do help clear the house carefully read every bit of paper, riffle the pages of every book and magazine, lift all carpets. Also look in the loft if there is one.
A mate clears houses for landlords, finds lots of stuff 'hidden away'

 

[solarman216]

yep that is correct, I was fitting Solar stuff for a long time and most required a hot water cyl change, one I did uncovered two very valuable gold watches the owner forgot they were there:doh Rick

 

[Barrbeast]

Sorry to hear that Rustic, condolences

Speaking as a solicitor I can't stress enough the importance of wills as if you don't have one then I'm willing to bet that what you think will happen to your estate and affairs etc when you die won't be correct. It's especially important if you own property. I only just turned 30 last month but have had a will in place since I bought my flat in 2007.

Usually the solicitor who made the will retains the original or at least a copy if the client has asked to hold onto the original. For a long time now we have also scanned ours into our Wills and Powers of Attorney database, not only for ease of finding it but also so we can try and keep them up to date (very important to review your will periodically and particularly when big changes occur eg. marriage etc).

Also, while any will is better than no will I have seen the mess, upset and expense caused by a deceased's family trying to interpret off the shelf wills from the likes of WH Smith etc (although these might have got better) and/or wills that people have written themselves without much, if any, knowledge of what is required. That's why it is really advisable to go to a solicitor to get your will done. Most offer set prices for basic or complex wills with discounts for couples having "mirror image" wills. A lot of firms including mine do a charity wills month when we will do you a will for a donation to a certain charity. The level of donation is entirely up to the person getting the will done although we do give a suggested donation based on what we would normally charge for the will (I've known of folk donating a fiver for their will).

 

[Banshee]

Sorry to hear of your loss Uncle Rustic

I hope everything goes smoothly for you buddy :rose

 

[johnb5177]

:roseRustic, so sorry to hear of your loss.

I'm down to a 93 yr old Mum, who thankfully is well organised.

You have made a very important and valuable point, which is not to be ignored.

I have both UK and French will (as we own property here it is vital).

The greatest of good luck with all you have to get on with, all your friends here will be thinking of you, and maybe even light a candle on your behalf.

 

[bry]

Sorry for your loss Rustic.My wife and i,both have lost our parents.I understand your feelings regarding having to go through a loved ones possessions,after all you are basically going through some ones life.Never a easy thing to do,and often becomes emotional. Both my wife and i have a appointment with a solicitor next week regarding making a will.Should have done it sooner i guess,but like a lot of people,it's one of those things you never seem to get around to doing.

 

[rustic]

...all your friends here will be thinking of you, and maybe even light a candle on your behalf.

You know, that really sums up this club in one sentence, you are right, with all my friends.:thumb2

To you all I am truely thankful:thumb2 for all the support and best wishes:thumb2

This club is like my second family,



having adopted Alex as my nephew, (I deserve a medal for that lol...):lol

Rustic

 

[johnb5177]

having adopted Alex as my nephew, (I deserve a medal for that lol...):lol

Rustic

Awarded to Uncle Rustic........a big, glossy Gold medal, for extreme bravery in the face of........well, Alex really.........:augie

 

[rustic]

Awarded to Uncle Rustic........a big, glossy Gold medal, for extreme bravery in the face of........well, Alex really.........:augie

:lol

 

[bloat]

Sorry for your loss mate, our thoughts are with you.