I sit here writing this piece as I experience grief in its newest form. Last month we got the call that my 90 year old grandmother was unresponsive. We rallied around her bedside, but a few days later she took her last breath surrounded by family and in prayer. It’s only been a few weeks and while I am still mourning and still struggling, I am thankful for so many things that our family did to make this process easier. Just as having my cousin, a nurse, there to explain things helped us, having a plan before we needed to make hard decisions was essential. I’m hoping that sharing some of what we did well help you when the time comes for you to say goodbye to a cherished loved one. 1. We talked to her before dementia set in and set up a will and power of attorney. The Power of Attorney meant that when it was time to find skilled nursing care, we didn’t need an expensive court proceeding to have her admitted or get her benefits flowing. When she passed away, there was no question as to who was to inherit what. 2. We trusted the family members to act in their strengths. My Aunt is the level headed oldest child. She was the one to make day to day medical decisions and keep the family informed. My Mom has an accounting degree so she handled the finances and bill paying. 3. We set up a burial fund early. Having the burial fund made income unavailable for the Nursing Home to take. It also meant that we could plan the funeral knowing exactly how much was available before we ever signed a contract. 4. We talked during the final illness. Since we knew the end was coming, we were able to talk a little about what type of service we wanted and who we wanted to speak and sing. When the end came, no one had to make an immediate decision in the newness and numbness of grief. There is no plan that can take this pain away. There is no preparation for the loss of a huge piece of your heart. I miss her wisdom, her sass, and just the sound of her voice. I miss that even as she loss so much of her memory, she always remembered that her granddaughter was a lawyer. I am so devastated that we have to deal with this, but I am so thankful that we are not like many of the families that make their way to my office. They are shell shocked, unprepared, confused. Learn from us. Planning doesn’t take away the pain, but boy does it help. http://www.facebook.com/jonesassoc http://www.twitter.com/jonesassoc
Standing Beside You & Fighting For You
When It Really Matters Most: Estate Planning before an Illness
On Behalf of Jones & Associates Law, P.C. | Jun 30, 2016 | Firm News |
Recent Posts
Archives
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2020
- May 2019
- March 2019
- November 2018
- October 2018
- August 2018
- March 2018
- January 2018
- November 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- December 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- September 2015
- July 2015
- September 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- April 2013
- March 2013
- November 2012
- May 2012
- November 2011
- September 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011