A Jeff, Dallas, TX says:

I read your article about you heart and was just taken aback. My brother passed away suddenly in Sept of last year, also from a heart condition, but his was totally more from abuse of food drugs and alcohol. Anyway, he left me a mess literally, no will, no power of attny no nuthin! He was also a on the brink of being a hoarder. It was hell trying to find checking accounts, insurance papers, credit cards, title to his car. It took me 6 months of flying back and forth from Dallas just to get the house emptied and cleaned repaired and painted for sale. I also had to go to court to get to be approved as Administrator to his estate, very similar to Executor but since there is no will to execute they have a different name for it AND THERE IS A BIG LEGAL fee to the state of Illinois to be appointed this… I think it was $1,600. I could not access any of his three bank accounts without that document. I had to prove that there was no one else who might benefit from his passing, wives children etc. I had to post an ad in the NEWPAPER saying that I was taking over his affairs and that anyone who was interested should step forward. I had to produce death certificates for my parents and other brothers. It was a horrible ordeal…

Something that you didnt mention in your message was, telling people what their final wishes are! Okay I have a dead body on my hands, who once was a loved one, now what should I do with it? He never mentioned to anyone what he really wanted so we had him cremated and are going to spread the ashes in Wis. If anyone hasnt gone through the expense of the whole funeral foolishness look out for some big bills. I figure if the dearly departed wanted an big partly send off then they should set up a separate account for it…

A Joseph Bump says:

Dear Chuck,
A HUGE MAHALO for writing the article on being prepared to die! Everyone needs to read these things! I appreciated Jeff’s comments on the blog, too. These things are all so true, and SO MUCH time and money and grief can be saved if folk just take care of paperwork while they have their health. I have stayed at the Sunseeker different times and love it! Wish I had the money to stay there more often!
–Joseph Bump from Aurora CO