Trigger warning: Grim query: Has covid-19 prompted you to update, uh, anything, just in case?

No but then my wishes are known. Cremation for me.

I updated my will fairly recently but I did send the executors a list of where to find important papers, passwords, etc.last week.

No

I’m starting work on a living will on Sunday.

Oh I plan on living through this & coming out the other side with renewed vigour for humankind.
Seriously though, all the things, the basics of everyday life we may have taken for granted…not any more!

Not really but our dog sitter has kept the keys to the house.

I did a will about four years ago. I was just recently making a list of account numbers for the executor but didn’t complete it.

When I was in college, I worked for an estate planning attorney. I asked him, at the time, who should have a will. His response was if you have children or you own real estate, you should have a will. Of course, other people should have one, too, but definitely the parents and the real estate holders should.

I giggle a bit every day picturing someone trying to figure things out without me around to confirm. Let someone else sort and distribute.

I recently read somewhere (before all this hit) that anyone over the age of 18 ought to have an advance directive. Of course they should, but I simply never thought of it in those terms before. What do my grown (and single) sons want me to do if they become seriously ill? I don’t know. Wow.

There are templates available online that a person can use if they don’t want or need to work with an attorney.

I don’t own much worth having. But I have thought about finding a suitable home for my cats if…

I started cleaning up and burning papers, and junk I don’t need.
We already have a will. My Health care directive is in place – I think.

Thanks for giving us a push in the right direction.

The simple answer is yes, I have been thinking about various things that need to get done if I get sick or die.

I’ve been showing my husband where my medication is, reminding him my phone has my medical information, and I can’t seem to print that emergency info from my phone (it’s in the medical app) so I’m going to type it out to bring to the hospital. Two copies. One for the hospital and one for my husband, and make sure he and my sister have the information electronically. Although, if you get hospitalized no one can visit, and who knows how much the doctors are communicating with the family of the patient.

I updated most beneficiaries on my bank accounts and investments about 6 months ago, so I’m pretty good there, although I will be double checking it all today. I had considered making an appointment to do a will for months now, I regret not having done it. It’s only a major deal if my husband and I die at once.

I’ve started back on the Swedish death clean in my house, but am not nearly as close to done as I would like.

I’m pretty sure I have bronchitis from a “flu” I had 9 weeks ago. Self diagnosed flu at the time. First time in my life my breathing is hampered, it’s been getting worse the last few weeks. I feel especially vulnerable right now if I catch COVID19. If I actually had COVID19 back then and my recovery sucks that might be a good thing, but everything implies I had the flu. I also have some other medical things anyway that can increase my risk. Scary.

Actually, yes. Kept meaning to do it, kept forgetting. At this point, wills and directives will be handwritten, and notarized, but hopefully accepted in an emergency situation.

@Canidmajor: Hand written will suffice.

I went to a lawyer a long time ago and he stated that if you didn’t own a home or had large amount of money one doesn’t need a Will.
He then added the government really doesn’t want anyone’s furniture nor there personal effects.
I had already listed on my drivers license that I am an organ donor.
If I go I go the cheapest way..Cremation as I have experienced the effects of outrageous Funeral costs from the death of both parents and an older sibling that was worried about appearances.( meaning the most expensive coffins etc)

I saw on Marketplace how Funeral homes push for the expensive things and also what is and what isn’t required ( really) that they don’t want one to know.

@jca2 Thanks, and good to know, don’t want to have to go out for a notary.

My husband knows exactly what I want and I keep a copy of my living will in my purse

@Inspired_2write: What is an issue is the motor vehicle owned by the deceased. The title has to be transferred to the new owner with the previous owner’s signature. If the previous owner is deceased, the whole thing has to go through the court system, which is a lot of effort. Unless of course, the new registration has the signature of the deceased forged on it with a back date.

@jca2
My older brother had the car willed to him but no one knew it at the time and it was sold before that was known. It wasn’t a new but the thought is what counted.
My older brother felt wronged at first but was happy that our late father thought of him .
Check for a Will or a note signed by the deceased , but to be fair the government doesn’t want personal effects so it would clear easily. Just re register it and if a mother or wife is still alive she can authorize that as in marriage both are entitled to it.

A very close friend passed away about 12 years ago and I found out from our local court system that unless there was a will with the automobile in it, you’d have to go through Surrogates Court which is a long, drawn out process. Miraculously, signed and backdated documents were found that the car title was transferred to someone else prior to the date of death and so no courts had to be involved.

@canidmajor, just make sure to sign and date it. My son the lawyer says that’s all you have to do. It’s called a holographic will. In your own handwriting, signed and dated, it’s absolutely legal.

Caveat: That appears to depend on the state you live in:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_will

It does apply to California, which is where we are.

Thanks, @Jeruba, I’ll check the CT statutes on that.

@canidmajor It is in @Jeruba link. ! Connecticut does not recognize them.

‘The following states do not recognize holographic wills made within the state, but recognize such wills under a “foreign wills” provision (i.e., the will was drafted wholly within, and in accordance with and is valid under the laws of, another jurisdiction): Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana (which refers to it as a “foreign testament” provision.) Connecticut, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin”

Just saw that. I’ll see if I can get my neighbors to witness. From a safe distance, of course. :-)