Ask Me Wednesday
I know. You can hardly stand the anticipation. You're so excited that you don't know whether to jump up and down or run to the restroom.
Though many of you may have to run to the restroom if you jump up and down.
Not that I would know what that's like.
Not after only 5 childbirths (really six because after Daughter #2 was born my body thought it was done and closed shop, so to speak, so that the dr. had to start pitocin and make the shop re-open. Which it did, after an hour and a half. Meanwhile, Daughter #3, the twin of Daughter #2, enjoyed having the space to herself and had no intention of following in her sister's footsteps, so to speak. I'll stop now. You're welcome).
Where was I?
Oh yes ...... Wednesday. Ask Me.
I was in the church office last week and a friend was working on her will with the help of one of the lovely women who work there. As I walked in she said, "We'll there she is now!" and they both said they'd been talking about me.
My name comes up in such FUN conversations.
Anyhow, they knew that I'd be able to tell her more about what to expect, legally-wise, if the worst happens to her. So I told her some of the different things she'd need to do that she'd never known (like the fact that she should order 15-20 copies of the death certificate). You know, fun facts.
Not.
Well, that got me to thinking (something I usually try to avoid doing too much of). I don't think I've written a post like that. And rather than being aimed at my lovely readers who happen to know all of that now (as much as that sucks, and it does. A lot.), it would be for the rest of you. So that ...... well, you know ...... just in case. It would also be for your spouses ...... just in case. Because, lets face it ...... if you stay married then one of you is definitely going to need to know this stuff.
As much as that sucks. And it does.
A lot.
So ...... I'm putting this out there for everyone:
What are questions you have about what you'd need to know if your spouse dies suddenly (or really, not so suddenly)? Give it some thought. Talk to your spouse, your friends ...... whomever you talk to about life, and come up with questions. Any questions. I will do my best to answer them. And I'm sure that if I can't, another reader can. Anyone who's been widowed can offer up their answers and/or thoughts about the topic.
I'll try to come up with everything I can think of, whether you ask about it or not, but you may help jar my memory with your questions. And trust me, my memory could use a good jarring.
Every day.
I'll talk about wills, life insurance (I'll try not to bring out my soapbox for those two), funerals and funeral home details, bills, titles, what needs to be done when, etc.
Hopefully this will generate some interest and more than a few questions.
Put on your thinking caps, people!
And I hope you don't get a headache.
Happy Tuesday, Peeps.
:)
6 comments:
Oh I appreciate you answering questions about all that stuff! That's generous of you to share your knowledge and I am sure a little painful too. I am sorry you have the knowledge about such a subject!
We have life insurance on my husband and I don't know if the amount is enough. What do you think is a reasonable amount? We are in our late 30's with a 2 year old. And I don't have it on me at all. I think my husband will be better off financially if I am gone! :)
And what are the benefits of a will if you are married? Doesn't everything go to the spouse anyway? Hop on your soapbox! I want to hear everything!
Thanks!!
My husband and I are in our 30s, getting ready to start a family. We both have life insurance, but we don't know if we have enough life insurance. I haven't been able to find a reputable source that recommends how much a person should have. How much do you recommend?
Doh - should have read Dina's comment!
We are in our 40's, raising 4 boys (2 from a previous marriage...one in college, 20 YO and a 14 YO). the other 2 are from our marriage and are only 6 & 5.
we have Ins on both of us, but don't know if it's enough. He works, i'm a stay at home mom. we own our house but have only been in it for 6 years so we have a LONG time left to pay on it. our house deed is in both of our names, but my name is not on the mortgage. we have 2 vehicles, same thing...my name is not on either. i don't think my name is on ANY of our bills come to think of it.
we have no will. our insurance policies do name my brother as the gaurdian to handle money for the children if anything happens to both of us.
how do you know what is enough, what are things that you never think you needed to do, or would never imagine you you should have already done?!
this isn't really a question, more like things we should have done.....I wish I had been a little more educated on our investments - one of the few things he took care of money wise- when it came to having to re invest, or renew certain things I was really at a loss. So I really wish we had discussed that more.
Also, even tho he had cancer, and you would have thought we had this discussion, we didn't - i really had no clue what he would have wanted funeral wise - cremation vs burial etc. He had made brief comments over the years, but none after he got sick. So I went with what he had last said in really a very off hand manner (as to the cremation vs burial issue). I think it is something that should be discussed no matter what/when in your relationship.
Do you have to have your will notarized for it to be legal? What if you don't have a will & something happens? How do you close online accounts like email/facebook/blog if you don't know the password? Also am curious to know just how much life insurance is enough-as mentioned in above comments :) What if you can't afford the funeral?
Thanks for putting yourself out there! Hugs!
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