Hickman & Lowder Weblog
Preparing for the Unexpected
I admit that I don’t always practice what I preach, or act on my good intentions. I really mean to leave an organized list of important information that would help my “agent” in my power of attorney take over if I ever needed her assistance. Well, one of my clients has created a very well organized list that she periodically updates, and she said that I could share the general outline. Her list includes very specific information, including policy numbers and contact information when applicable, about the following:
- Her residence, including fees, management, taxes, etc.
- Her car (including where the title can be found)
- House and car insurance
- Her bank accounts
- Her retirement accounts, including beneficiary designations
- Sources of income
- Personal information (birth date, social security number, etc.)
- Health insurance
- Primary physician
- Credit cards
She is a very independent lady, but she’s wise enough to know that unexpected things happen in life, even good things like an unexpected trip. If for any reason her attorney-in-fact has to step in, she wants it to be as easy as possible for him and her other children to handle things on her behalf.
- Posted by Sandra Buzney
Add a commentEthical Wills
Generally when we speak about an individual’s will, our thoughts go to a legal document that specifies how a deceased individual’s property will be distributed. But there’s another type of “will” that’s been getting more attention, and it can be very meaningfully shared during the writer’s lifetime if he or she chooses to do so. I’m talking about an “ethical will,” which has also been referred to as a spiritual-ethical will and a legacy letter. It can share thoughts and feelings about values that you would like to transmit, family history, the story behind certain treasured belongings, hopes for future generations. It can also be used to pass on blessings, ask for forgiveness, and to express forgiveness. About the only thing it should not be used for is to pass on negative thoughts or criticisms. A person can write one to be shared by all family members or individualize it, and can choose to share it during one’s lifetime or leave directions on how it should be shared after one’s death. It is not a tool reserved for terminally ill individuals or grieving family members, but it can definitely help arrive at some closure and aid the grieving process.
Monitoring Technology & Elder Care
As I listened to High Tech-Aging: Tracking Seniors' Every Move, I thought of that old public service announcement that would come over the TV in the evening when I was growing up: “It’s 8 o’clock. Do you know where your children are?” These days, as the echo of The Boom starts to fade, it would say “It’s 8 o’clock. Do you know where your parents are?” I do: my mom’s probably walking the dog, my dad’s on the couch, watching the game, waiting for her to get back, with the phone nearby just in case. My mother-in-law, on the other hand, who lives in an assisted living facility, turned 95 the other day. Only 5 --I mean 8--more years until she gets her visit from Social Security. (Thanks to Charles Hall’s 8/17/10 blog post for this tidbit.) In the meantime, I’ll have to do.
- Posted by Mary McKee
Add a commentThe Usual Bus Stop
A story caught my ear today. While listening to 'Villages' Help Neighbors at Home, I was reminded of my maternal grandmother, who lived in her own home, with her “village” around her, until the day in her 10th decade when they found her at her usual bus-stop. She didn’t get to go home again, and died shortly after, but she also never consciously had to let go of her home or say goodbye to her village. I think I would like to part from this life, either mentally or physically or both, waiting for my usual bus, wouldn’t you?
- Posted by Mary McKee
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