How many of you have officially done your final will?

[Shine]

:shrug:

The reason I ask is b/c I've received two separate emails in the last couple of days about an email campaign to promote the idea of programming ICE (In Case of Emergency) numbers into our cell phones. The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialling the number you have stored as "ICE".*

Personally, I would assume most people have their cell phones programmed with the most important contacts on speed dial and it would be fairly obvious to anyone. But, as has been pointed out to me, apparently not everyone uses the speed dial function, as bizarre as that may seem. I also rebel against adding yet another silly acronym to our lives, but that's beside the matter. To each, their own, ultimately. I absolutely trust that if anything were to happen to me, the proper loved ones would be informed asap. But that's just me.

The bottom line is: in the end, we're ALL gonna die, whether we're ready or not. Regardless of whether or not we've identified contacts in our cell phones with the ICE label, I think having one's will done, ahead of time, is actually more important.....and yet it's surprising how many of us have not done that simple yet surprisingly vital task.

And yes, for the record we've done our wills and it gives me peace of mind, knowing our wishes are made clear in legal form.

[mondo joe]

1. My partner and I did, since we can't legally marry.

Also Durable Power of Attorney.

[Shine]

12. ...

:hug: :thumbsup:

[VP505]

2. When the

Bu$h Admin gets done we won't need one.

[Shine]

7. Oh c'mon, now....

the Bush Admin is gonna care about what you do with Aunt Sally's ring?? :D

[RB TexLa]

3. And what good will it do them to call the "ICE" number without a signed HIPAA release from you?

They wouldn't even be able to tell the person that you are in the hospital.

[Shine]

6. Hmmmm...good point.

are you absolutely certain they wouldn't even be able to tell the person they were in the hospital?

I don't get that one. What's the big secret about simply being in the hospital? That info can be exchanged without giving away specific medical info, can't it?

[no_hypocrisy]

4. And it's a very responsible act.

When my sister married my brother-in-law, I wouldn't let them leave for their honeymoon without them making out holographic (very simple handwritten) Wills, leaving their estates to each other. Without a Will, half would go to the surviving spouse and the other half to their respective parents. I maintained that marriage meant taking care of each other from Day One.

If you love someone and want to take care of them if anything happens to you, see a financial planner, see an attorney who specializes in Wills and estate planning. (And don't forget living wills, health care proxies, and powers of attorney while you're at it.)

[emilyg]

13. Yes.

[Totally Committed]

5. I have.

Plus durable power of attorney and DNR.

I'm ready to move the hell on.

TC

[riderinthestorm]

8. We have but a word of caution. Be sure to update your will and important docs when things change

Our original will was more than 20 years old. We updated that one about 10 years ago and just re-did our wills again this spring. Things change: for example, initially, 20 years ago, we had our kids getting placed with my mother if we both died. She is now 75 years old and not in the greatest health. Our oldest is now 19 years old and a senior in college - if worse came to worse, she is now old enough (almost out on her own!) and in a position to care for her younger sister.

Financial trusts need to be updated, guardianship issues reconsidered, important heirlooms added on or taken off etc. etc. It doesn't have to be updated all the time but don't just make it out and forget about it for 30 years!

[Shine]

11. Excellent points, thank you

:thumbsup:

[bigwillq]

9. Not me

But I should

[in_cog_ni_to]

10. I have and so has my husband. Right after our son was born. n/t

[alarimer]

14. I guess I don't need a will

I have nothing to give away and no one to give it to.

Good point about the cell phone. I don't have any idea how to use speed dial on my phone. But I programmed all the important numbers into the phone book, so presumably they will be able to figure out to call the one that says Mom and Dad on it.

[Shine]

16. "I have nothing to give away and no one to give it to."

awww, are you sure about that???....that deserves a hug. :hug:

[alarimer]

18. Well I sure can bequeath my debt to someone

In fact, they can take it now!

Thanks though.

[Blue_In_AK]

15. My husband and I. n/t

[Geoff R. Casavant]

17. I tell folks this all the time

Of course, I'm an estate planning and probate attorney, so they all figure I'm just trying to scare up a few bucks.

What always gets them is when I tell them I make about 3 or 4 times as much settling the estate of someone who dies without a will, as I do settling the estate of someone who dies with a properly drafted will.

And "homemade" wills, more often than not, are pure gravy.

[Shine]

20. Hmmmm...interesting about the probate stuff.

it definitely makes sense to figure out the wills ahead of time and avoid probate, if at all possible.

:hi:

[AlCzervik]

19. done the year my daughter was born and it gets updated ever couple years.

if something happens to my husband and i at the same time i want my daughter to go to someone who is not related to me, that to me was the most important thing, that had to be addressed so that was really why we did it.