Getting your affairs in order?

Craftyscholar

Arthurian wrote: »

http://www.housingcare.org/downloads/kbase/2049.pdf is a proforma which Age Concern used to have on their website. It's a form to print out and fill in entitled Instructions for My Next of Kin and Executors Upon My Death, and you write on it where you keep important documents, and what your wishes are for your funeral, etc. Keep it in an obvious place or give in advance to your next of kin. Not sure why Age UK swapped to having to order a Lifebook instead.

Thank you, Arthurian.
I have saved it.
After my father died Mum (one of the most organised people I know) made a list of all the things I would need to do eventually for her, all the documents I would need to take to the solicitor. Sixteen years later I had every document he needed at our first meeting - he had known her and it raised a smile at a very bad time.

getmore4less

I think good idea is to do your own estate tax return and probate in advance as a trial run.

Start with PA1 and IHT205(I leave you to find these as part of the exercise).


pretend you have just been given the task(your executors when you do your will) and have to find the information needed.

Also think about what will hapen if the various people that are relevent die in various orders

If total potential assets are over £325k/£650k then serious thinking needs to be done.(think about all your assets and potentialy those around you that might come your way or your assets going to someone else and causing them a problem).

If you travel with family(children and or parents) you have to think about the total loss senario and where the estate could end up.

7roland8

Originally Posted by Arthurian
http://www.housingcare.org/downloads/kbase/2049.pdf is a proforma which Age Concern used to have on their website.

Thanks - good starting point - and can be amended and added to for your own circumstances and then printed out.

Errata

getmore4less wrote: »

I think good idea is to do your own estate tax return and probate in advance as a trial run.

Start with PA1 and IHT205(I leave you to find these as part of the exercise).


pretend you have just been given the task(your executors when you do your will) and have to find the information needed.

Also think about what will hapen if the various people that are relevent die in various orders

If total potential assets are over £325k/£650k then serious thinking needs to be done.(think about all your assets and potentialy those around you that might come your way or your assets going to someone else and causing them a problem).

If you travel with family(children and or parents) you have to think about the total loss senario and where the estate could end up.

That's something I had never thought of, and it's an excellent idea.

seafarers_wife

hopefully we have lots of time left, but as i deal with all the finances and oh doesnt have a clue about anything house related or finance related i have the following set up.

1 a4 lever arch file with all household things in it, there is a list taped to the inside of the folder with a summary list which is updated every year.

our personal and joint finances are each in a lever arch file again wiht summary list on the front cover

we also have a document folder with all important things in it, birth certificates, cheque books, passports etc, anything important goes in there.

we dont yet have kids, but ive already discussed with my best friend that if anything happens to us when we have kids that i want her to have them rather than any of our parents, as we are not yet married we dont have wills or life insurance, but that is being taken care of once we are married. power of attorney will also be set up at the same time since he works away its easier for me to manage all finances, hence why i have the summary list should anything happen to me.

i also have a "diary" which is basically a how to run our house manual, detailing everything and anything and how to clean and how often (directing him to flylady on here ) and what products i prefer to use and some of the favourite receipes and meals that i cook so that its all there.

im very organised probably to organised as i also have a back up hard drive with it all stored electronically as well so that he has no excuse to let anything go should the worst happen.

i think when i get older i think i would be the type to plan my own funeral as that way its in place and he wouldnt have any stress over organising it as he would just be able to delegate out and not have to think of the details.

reading all that back i do need to get out more :rotfl:

Craftyscholar

seafarers_wife wrote: »

hopefully we have lots of time left, but as i deal with all the finances and oh doesnt have a clue about anything house related or finance related i have the following set up.

1 a4 lever arch file with all household things in it, there is a list taped to the inside of the folder with a summary list which is updated every year.

our personal and joint finances are each in a lever arch file again wiht summary list on the front cover

we also have a document folder with all important things in it, birth certificates, cheque books, passports etc, anything important goes in there.

we dont yet have kids, but ive already discussed with my best friend that if anything happens to us when we have kids that i want her to have them rather than any of our parents, as we are not yet married we dont have wills or life insurance, but that is being taken care of once we are married. power of attorney will also be set up at the same time since he works away its easier for me to manage all finances, hence why i have the summary list should anything happen to me.

i also have a "diary" which is basically a how to run our house manual, detailing everything and anything and how to clean and how often (directing him to flylady on here ) and what products i prefer to use and some of the favourite receipes and meals that i cook so that its all there.

im very organised probably to organised as i also have a back up hard drive with it all stored electronically as well so that he has no excuse to let anything go should the worst happen.

i think when i get older i think i would be the type to plan my own funeral as that way its in place and he wouldnt have any stress over organising it as he would just be able to delegate out and not have to think of the details.

reading all that back i do need to get out more :rotfl:

I am very impressed. reading your list you sound like a 21stC version of my Mother :rotfl:
Also makes me realise I need to do something as well. I know where my papers are, but the friend who is one of my executors would have to hunt for them.

7roland8

Originally Posted by seafarers_wife
hopefully we have lots of time left, but as i deal with all the finances and oh doesnt have a clue about anything house related or finance related

Same here - but you sound well sorted.

Think its a question of getting things in order without being OTT with it all - not an easy balance (speaking for myself - not you!).

7roland8

GGEGEE8I would find that very touching if my mum did that for me.

Also maybe write a secret letter to put in there as well? That would be lovely..

Well I found some old 3x5 blank filing cards and used 40 each for two sons - recorded old happy memories on each side = 80 memories for each.

luxor4t

SailorSam wrote: »

You'd think they'd have that lifebook available as a Pdf download, or at least you'd be able to order it via your computer.

7roland8 wrote: »

Quite agree - seems odd you have to ring.

We rang in October/November, but heard nothing. The book is free - but we would have paid towards costs, as MiL's logical memory is going fast & she fills in blanks with what she sees as sensible replies, that don't make sense iyswim.

Piecing her affairs together from a random pile of letters & forms is time consuming and inaccurate, especially as she seems to have thrown away key documents, along with family photos etc.

Note to self: celebrate next birthday by putting affairs in immaculate order!

7roland8

luxor4t - Note to self: celebrate next birthday by putting affairs in immaculate order!

Quite agree - I've got folders and labels this week and will try and get all the paperwork well organised - plus all my old family letters and certficates I've had for family research.