Worried About The Future...

Popperwell

The Day Has Arrived...

I'm still reasonably calm...I wonder if I'll shed a tear or I have managed to do all that previously? If I do cry I must let it go...and not hold it in. I have got the house reasonably tidy at last though I'll vacuum later. Wheelie bins are out all the usual stuff that still goes on and never changes. Though the day and time of collection has.

A rough estimate if all that come to the funeral that may, I think that approx 28 people(including myself)will attend.

Its a bit chilly and misty here but hopefully it will brighten up by the time of the funeral. So far no snow as was mentioned. Hope I am not tempting fate.

I did manage some sleep.

I am now going to the shop to get my single rose to place on Mum's coffin at the crem.

Then I'll finish the tidying of the house and get washed, shaved and put on the clothes I purchased for the funeral(hope the trousers fit)I'm losing weight, then just wait until they arrive to collect me...the flowers from America have arrived from Mum's Brother(nice gesture)but I'm not keen on Lilies even though they are seen as appropriate for funerals and it only contains that flower.

I hope my carnations look ok...Ads far as I know no other flowers will be there...unless people have brought any to the church.

Mojisola

Don't worry about other things at the moment - get today over with.

Popperwell

The funeral is in an hour, somewhat happens as I am trying to get dressed and prepare for the event the Cooperative Funeral Company phone me and start discussing about giving me free advice about probate and that even with the forms I have sent for they say I may need some legal help. They say the meeting is free I don't have to commit to their quote, the meeting could last two hours and initially they are talking of charging £1,099 out of Mum's estate.

They also say probate can take 6-9 months to come through, if that was so I'd still get all the benefits I am receiving at present whilst we wait for Mum's money to be freed up so in some ways it would great if it takes that long to come through.

They are coming to see me on May 10Th 2012 at 10am.

With my luck it will come through quicker than that.

Fancy getting in touch with me before Mum is out of this world and I have that to think about.

They could give a few days to get over the funeral you'd think...

Its business, business, business...

I'm away to get dressed and have a few moments contemplation before I have to go to the service...

Popperwell

Sorry to go off topic a bit, after today I'll try not too...

An Uncle(one of Mum's brother's)and a cousin do not think that Mum's estate should go to probate and have told me not to sign anything.

For now I don't really know what the situation is...


If I thought it really would take months to sort out even losing what the Solicitor wants to take, I could be better off going with what I have been told.

Another friend doesn't remember it taking that long to sort out probate.

The service went very well and everyone complimented the vicar. There were a couple of errors and she managed to mangle the Christian name of my Father but it was so close I'm not going to go about it.

They played three of the songs I asked for Doris Day - Que Sera Que Sera, What A Friend We Have In Jesus and we filed out of church to Joe Brown - I'll See You In My Dreams...

I was quite composed and did not cry that much, not that I was ashamed to do so. I was touched by service and what was said. It was a lovely service considering a funeral is not exactly something any of us want to attend.

Before I come into Mum's money I have a little of my own(it is a little)and my monitor to this pc is misbehaving so I have purchased an LCD/Freeview 23" TV/PC monitor(Tesco's brand)but the screens are made by Samsung.

If I find an annual tv license difficult in a year's time, I can block off the TV side of it and if I don't have an aerial connected they cannot fine me if don't have a license. And I can decide not to watch tv or watch recorded tv via the Internet.

I have also purchased a new Samsung LED/Freeview 32" TV for the lounge as the TV we have is almost 30 years old and has been playing up too. Now at least I am ok for the foreseeable future and again if I decide I cannot afford the license next year I can just disconnect it.

Here's a story the monitor was placed in my shopping trolley, I paid for the Samsung TV and it will be in store on Monday I then went out to get my taxi...as I waited I realised no one had stopped me and I had not paid for the monitor! I could've got into the taxi and had a free TV but the thought of being collared as a shoplifter and me being honest I went back int9o the store and paid for it.

I guess I feel better for doing so.

Mojisola

Popperwell wrote: »

An Uncle(one of Mum's brother's)and a cousin do not think that Mum's estate should go to probate and have told me not to sign anything.

I'm glad things went as well as they did.

On the probate issue - if the estate is valued at £5000 or over, it has to go to probate.

Popperwell

I thought it seem wrong what my realtives were saying...

pmlindyloo

Mojisola wrote: »

I'm glad things went as well as they did.

On the probate issue - if the estate is valued at £5000 or over, it has to go to probate.

Although this is often quoted (on government sites too) when I telephoned the Probate Office I was told that this is not always the case. I believe if everything is straight forward then probate is not always needed. However, if a institution (like a bank for instance)asks for probate then it is required.

The Probate Office is extremely helpful so please give them a call.

Popperwell

The bank said it but the will is straightforward(we had mirror wills...what was mine was Mum's and vice versa)and we were to take care of each others wishes. It was just Mum and me and no relatives will be asking for any of the money.

Three weeks today since I lost Mum.

CAB on May 8th...still waiting for forms to arrive to see if I can do probate without getting a solicitor involved.

The Coop's Legal services are coming on May 10th to try and persuade me to use their services...

I was unhappy/angry that they phoned me about this an hour before the funeral service on Friday and Mum wasn't even out of the world.

They want to give me a free quote but I'm not making a decision or signing anything when they visit.

YesWillMan

As I mentioned in an earlier thread if it is all mainly in bank accounts then getting Probate yourself,with the Probate Courts help and advice here on the forum can be done without any major problems.
The Bank involved can insist on Probate over £5000 but some have much higher limits which was mentioned before. The Halifax used to be £15,000 I think but some may be as high as £20,000. The only way to be sure is ask the bank as if t hey insist then the only way foward is to get the Probate.

Emmzi

Popperwell, as you are on DLA yourself, do you have any support workers? A therapist or a social worker at all?

You sound like perhaps you could use a reassessment of your needs now you are on your own?