I have not read this whole thread yet, but hopefully it is just enforcing the topic of Wills - please please please make a Will, name beneficiaries on your policies and investments and pensions. Do not leave these things for your loved ones to wade through and try to navigate.
I'm in the middle of horrible events right now. My sister died suddenly over a week ago. We were not estranged but not super close. Apparently her work did not have my contact information for emergencies. She had not shown up or contacted them for 5 days, so they called police to do a wellness check at her home. The Police made entry to the home and found her. I later learned it was a sudden heart attack, two 90% blocked coronary arteries. She had never taken care of her health.
My sister was not married, no children, lived alone. When my parents entered long term care, she moved into their house. They didn't take much with them, and my sister still brought most of her stuff into the already cluttered house. I offered several times during the first few years, to help her deal with some of the clutter. She eventually told me to "leave it alone".
We spent all holidays together with my kids, grandkids, etc. She always came to my house for dinners, etc. She has never invited me to the home, I haven't been in there since she moved in about 16 years ago. I always knew it would be cluttered, but in the last few days have come to a horrifying realization of what her life has been.
Aside from what is facing us with dealing with the property, I have no idea of her finances, I am beginning to suspect she has not filed her taxes for many years. I've been gathering piles of unopened mail trying to find out what information I can. I met with a lawyer to get the process started to be appointed as estate trustee without a will, however this is very time consuming, and I may not be able to do anything until I get that paperwork. I have already had to pay for some major expenses, I wasn't prepared for.
I cannot yet grieve my sister, I am so angry at her. On top of that I feel overwhelmingly guilty that she was living like this but never asked for help. I heard from her neighbour she has been sick over the summer, and again, not one phone call.
My only option at this point is to pay a company to clean out the house, and sell it "as is"
I know the house situation is not normal in a situation where someone dies suddenly, but please if you are saying - I should go get a will - please don't put it off any longer.
Make sure all your paperwork is put away where your family can find it, and make sure you dot all the i's and cross all the t's. Don't let this happen to your loved ones.
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