Final Wishes (Part 2) - Consumer Focus - FCIC

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Consumer Focus: Final Wishes This is an archived document.

Final Wishes - Part 2 In the last consumer focus, we discussed how difficult it is for someone facing their mortality to discuss their Final Wishes. Hopefully, these discussions can happen during a peaceful time when everyone is in good health. But, since planning to talk about someone’s final wishes can be as difficult as having the discussion, many times it isn’t held until circumstances prompt it. In part two of the Final Wishes focus, we’ll take a look at how those of us who are close to the dying individual can prepare ourselves to take part in their discussion, and we’ll consider the issues that loved ones will face after the passing. Getting Yourself Ready Doing Your Homework Survivor’s Checklist Other Resources E-mail this Information to A Friend Other Topics in the Consumer Focus Archive Final Wishes - Part 1 Posted: April 16, 2005 Top

Getting Yourself Ready Considering the death of a loved one or learning that they are dieing is emotionally complicated and painful for all of us. Our personal feelings of loss combine with the desire to be strong and supportive for our loved one. So the first step in preparing ourselves to participate in a discussion about someone’s final wishes is to try to understand how we respond to grief. Fortunately, there are a number of community resources that are available to help with bereavement. When you are ready, ask your loved one for permission to talk to them about their final wishes. They’re probably struggling with their feelings about their passing, and will appreciate your sensitivity. Top

Doing Your Homework Once you have come to terms with your feelings about the loss, you will be ready to consider business matters that your loved one is facing at the end of their life, and what you will face after they pass. So do your homework before you sit down with them. The two of you will need to cover topics as diverse as estate planning, financial powers of attorney, end of life care, palliative care, creating a will, and survivor’s benefits. These are all major issues that will require some reading and consideration, so don’t forget the smaller things that are important for day-to-day activities. Talk about where the bills are kept, and when they have to get paid. The last thing anyone wants to worry about when they are grieving is how to make the mortgage payment. Top

Survivor’s Checklist Here are five steps to preparing for the business actions you will have to perform after your loved one passes: Step 1. Collect the necessary papers Before you can file for survivors benefits and take care of other financial matters, you will need to collect the following documents. Step 2. Prepare to contact insurance companies In addition to life insurance, there may be other forms of insurance that covered the deceased. Some loans, mortgages, and credit card accounts are covered by credit life insurance, which pays off account balances. Have the numbers ready so you can contact each insurance company about how to claim the policy benefits. Step 3. Visit the Social Security website or find the number to call. If your loved one was receiving Social Security, you will need to notify the Social Security Administration of their passing. Please keep in mind; you will need to have birth, death, and marriage certificates, Social Security numbers, and a copy of the deceased's most recent federal income tax return to apply for survivor’s benefits. Step 4. Learn which benefits you can claim Employee, Social Security, and Veterans' Survivor Benefits, may be available to you. Unions and other professional organizations provide benefits as well. Learn more about benefits. Step 5. Prepare to begin probate Probate is the court-supervised process of paying the deceased's debts and distributing the estate to the rightful beneficiaries. Jointly owned property, property in trust, and assets with a designated beneficiary (life insurance, 401(k), and pensions) do not go through the probate process. If the deceased did not have a will, state law will determine how their assets and property will be distributed to family members. The court will appoint a personal representative or the person named in the will as executor to manage the deceased's affairs. Contact the probate court in the state where the deceased lived for details. Top

Other Resources This is just a brief overview. For more information, check out these resources: Read these publications online or order them from FCIC: Funerals: A Consumer Guide Planning Your Estate Publications available for ordering from our Money Page Publications available for ordering from our And More... Page *Websites:** Administration on Aging American Association of Retired People (AARP) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Family Caregiver Alliance HealthFinder National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Social Security Administration Veterans Affairs Administration * Names of resources and organizations included in this online article are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that they are endorsed by the Federal Citizen Information Center or any other Government agency. Also, if a particular resource or organization is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that it is unsatisfactory. If you click on these links, you are leaving FCIC's website. Please bookmark us before you leave so you can return easily. FCIC is not responsible for the content of these websites. Top*

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