Does Your Executor Know What to Do?

Don't leave a mess for your executor clean up. There are ways to make your executor's job easier.
Don’t leave a mess for your executor clean up. There are ways to make your executor’s job easier.

Next Avenue’s recent article entitled “Is Your Estate as Planned As You Think?” explains that when you pass away your executor will have many tasks to perform when settling your estate.

It’s helpful to add clarity and lessen the burden of your executor’s work in advance. Look at this list of things to make sure your estate is as planned as you think it is:

Is your will current? If you’ve written your will, how long has it been since you drafted it? Have there been any major changes in your life since that time? If so, it’s likely time to update it. Review your will to make certain that it’s an accurate representation of your assets and your wishes now.

Is your will detailed? Yes, you’ve addressed the big stuff, but what about smaller items with sentimental value? You should list who gets what, to avoid fighting, especially if the executor is one of your beneficiaries.

Do you have a way to distribute your other personal items? You should determine how your family will divide up the possessions not explicitly listed in your will, such as the lawnmower, dishes and photographs. All of it will need to be either distributed by the executor to one of your beneficiaries, donated, or sold.

Are your financial affairs organized? Your executor will need to know if you have any recurring payments, as well as your account number, and online passwords. Create a list of regular monthly bills, along with your account numbers and access codes to simplify your executor’s job.

You will also need to let the executor know about any automatic deductions or charges on your credit card, internet-based subscriptions, club memberships, recurring charitable donations and automatic utility payments.

Making your wishes clear for your executor can help ensure that there’s less stress and an easy distribution of your assets.

Your estate planning attorney can help you address these issues to make things easier for your executor and your family. And while speaking with your estate planning attorney, ask about advance medical directives such as a medical power of attorney, a living will, a HIPAA waiver and whether you should have a trust.

For more information on wills see https://galligan-law.com/understanding-why-a-will-is-important/.

Reference: Next Avenue (Feb. 25, 2020) “Is Your Estate as Planned As You Think?”

 

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Helping Seniors Battle the Unspoken COVID-19 Toll: Loneliness

Isolation leads to loneliness in seniors.

Social distancing is a new term we have all become familiar with over the past several weeks. An essential step in reducing transmission of the coronavirus, it’s important to note that distancing also can cause social isolation and loneliness. Although this can affect anyone, regardless of age, the elderly are particularly vulnerable at this time.

What exactly is loneliness? We have all experienced loneliness at some time, but a more refined understanding can help us help our loved ones.  While social isolation is simply not being around other people, loneliness is a subjective feeling – a sense of suffering from being disconnected from other people. In other words, social isolation may lead to feelings of loneliness. Studies have linked these persistent feelings to higher risks of conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression and even death.

How to Help

Experts offer guidance on how we can help our elderly loved ones combat feelings of loneliness and avoid their negative mental and physical health consequences.

Some tips:

  • Help with the technology for video chats and social media.
  • Set up regular phone calls or video chats on a daily or weekly routine.
  • Explore online learning opportunities, especially those designed especially for seniors.
  • Help your elderly loved ones to change their expectations for the time being, and understand that this situation is temporary.

Resources: ABC News, The unspoken COVID-19 toll on the elderly: Loneliness, April 14, 2020.

 

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COVID19 UPDATE: CDC Recommends Care Plans for Both Older Adults and Caregivers

Be Prepared - Have a Care Plan in Place

Quick. You or your senior loved one is running a fever, coughing and struggling to breathe. You suspect COVID-19 and a full-blown medical emergency starts to unfold. Medical professionals will need to quickly know the patient’s health conditions, medications, healthcare providers and emergency contacts.

Are you ready?

The Centers for Disease (CDC) recommends developing a Care Plan now as part of your emergency preparedness.

What is a Care Plan?

A care plan is a document that summarizes a person’s health conditions and current treatments for their care. The CDC offers a handy form you can use, Complete Care Plan. This is a fill-able form you can complete on your computer or print and complete by hand.

How Do You Develop a Care Plan?

The CDC offers these tips

  • Start a conversation about care planning with the person you take care of.
  • Talk to the doctor of the person you care for or another health care provider.
  • Ask about what care options are relevant to the person you care for.
  • Discuss any needs you have as a caregiver.

And remember, care plans can reduce emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and improve overall medical management, especially during a medical emergency.

For more information on Coronavirus issues that may affect you see https://galligan-law.com/covid-19-update-you-need-a-medical-power-of-attorney-now/ and https://galligan-law.com/coronavirus-scams-are-surfacing/.

Resource: Centers for Disease Control, Coronavirus Disease 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html

Suggested keywords: Develop a Care Plan, caring for the elderly, tips for caregivers, coronavirus caregiving tips, coronavirus and the elderly

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