SEPTEMBER 27, 2010
Good morning.
There were a couple of things I meant to mention yesterday in my blog. September 26, 2010 was the 50th anniversary of the John Kennedy and Richard Nixon television debate. This was the first televised debate between presidential candidates in history. This changed political campaigning forever not only in this country but in most democratic nations around the world.
September 26, 2010 was also the 50th anniversary for agricultural radio reporter Orion Samuelson broadcasting on WGN radio in Chicago. Mr. Samuelson spent eight years as a radio reporter in Wisconsin before he began his career at WGN. 50 years is a long time for most anything but especially to remain fully employed at the same company. Or in Samuelson has become and is a well respected agricultural journalist. His views and ideas have been sought by every president of the United States since John Kennedy. Orion Samuelson was once offered a cabinet post as secretary of agriculture but he turned it down.
This is part two of yesterday’s blog. I hope you find it helpful, but please, do use the information, discuss the information or at least think about the information.
Below I have included a questionnaire to be reviewed and filled out by anyone wishing to make significant estate planning decisions. The first part of the form provides is a list of documents and concerns that children should discuss with their parents or perhaps grandparents. A decision should be made as to whether or not any of the important individuals in your life would like to prepare a will, a living will, a power of attorney or a durable power of attorney. Additionally safety thousand boxes and bank accounts should be adjusted so that other parties, presumably children will have access to the sage thousand backs or the bank accounts in the event that an excess is necessary.
As with most of life’s important decisions, an attorney, estate planner and tax advisor should be consulted before proceeding with any change in plans. The internet can also offer plenty of information to answer many questions.
The questionnaire should be completed to have all parties important information in one place for safe keeping. Once completed, copies can be distributed to those who should be in the know. Computers can quit working, be damaged or stolen. The written information should be kept in a safe place such as a safe deposit box or a fire-proof safe at home. In the legal business I send important documents through the mail to my clients with a “safe place” letter explaining these documents should be kept in a safe place with someone, other than you and your wife, knowing where. Someone other than the spouse should know because people die in common accidents or after one dies, the survivor may forget to tell someone else.
ELDER CARE INFO SHEET
DATE:______________________
1. DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY (HEALTH CARE)
2. POWER OF ATTORNEY (PROPERTY)
3. WILL
4. JOINT BANK ACCOUNTS AND SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES (SIGNATURES)
5. DEEDS
6. TRUSTS
7. VEHICLES
8. ANNUITIES (SUCCESSOR BENEFICIARY)
9. LIFE INSURANCE (BENEFICIARIES)
10. HEALTH INSURANCE
11. BURIAL DIRECTIONS
12. STOCKS AND BONDS ACCOUNT
13. PERSONAL HIDING PLACES FOR VALUABLES AT THE HOUSE
14. BIRTH CERTIFICATES
15. DEATH CERTIFICATES OF CHILDREN OR SPOUSES
16. GUNS
17. COIN, STAMP OR OTHER VALUABLE COLLECTIONS
18. DISCUSS OBITUARY ITEMS FOR PUBLICATION
PREPARE ONE FOR EACH PERSON i.e. mother and father
NAME: _____________________________________________________
ADDRESS: __________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
PH. #: ______________________________________________________
SOCIAL SECURITY #: ________________________________________
DATE OF BIRTH: ____________________________________________
MARITAL STATUS: __________________________________________
CHILDREN
NAME: ______________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
DATE OF BIRTH: _____________________________________________
PH. #: ______________________ SS #: ____________________________
NAME: ______________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
DATE OF BIRTH: _____________________________________________
PH. #: ______________________ SS #: ____________________________
NAME: ______________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________
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DATE OF BIRTH: _____________________________________________
PH. #: ______________________ SS #: ____________________________
NAME: ______________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
DATE OF BIRTH: _____________________________________________
PH. #: ______________________ SS #: ____________________________
NAME: ______________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
DATE OF BIRTH: _____________________________________________
PH. #: ______________________ SS #: ____________________________
NAME: ______________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
DATE OF BIRTH: _____________________________________________
PH. #: ______________________ SS #: ____________________________
NAME: ______________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________
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DATE OF BIRTH: _____________________________________________
PH. #: ______________________ SS #: ____________________________
NAME: ______________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
DATE OF BIRTH: _____________________________________________
PH. #: ______________________ SS #: ____________________________
NAME: ______________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________
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DATE OF BIRTH: _____________________________________________
PH. #: ______________________ SS #: ____________________________
NAME: ______________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
DATE OF BIRTH: _____________________________________________
PH. #: ______________________ SS #: ____________________________
OTHER BENEFICIARIES
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ANY OTHER IMPORTANT MATTERS TO THE FAMILY OR ELDER PERSON
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BRUCE A. BRENNAN
