A detailed will
is important. A will is
not just about who gets what, but
can also clarify your parents’ plans
and wishes, before any declines in
mental or physical health. According
to Asa Candussi Wilkins, a director
at Phoenix Wills, this document
should be created in your parents’
home country and is likely to cover
three areas:
1. The will, which details financial
assets and personal effects;
2. The enduring power of
attorney, which provides the
authority to act on your parents’
behalf when they can’t make
decisions for themselves;
3. An advanced medical directive,
which provides specific details about
their medical wishes and includes
examples, like no force-feeding, no
ventilators, etc.
“All these documents are country-
specific, and some are state-specific,
so they need to be crafted in your
home country,” warns Asa. She also
says, “Make sure you engage a legal
professional, at the very least as a
witness. And communicate to ensure
everyone is on the same page. This will
help stop disputes at a later date.”
A reputable lawyer
can help you
wade through the details. The sad
passing of a parent is coupled with
a pile of life administration; this can
be particularly difficult for those of us
who aren’t used to dealing with forms,
banks, institutions and governments.
A lawyer can help, particularly if your
family dynamic isn’t rock solid or you
haven’t had a conversation about
estate planning.
Health and travel insurance
are
essentials at any stage of life, but
a great insurance policy can make
all the difference if a parent falls ill
suddenly.
A hometown network
is particularly
helpful for expats. For those of us who
have been away for many years, it’s
very easy to be disconnected from
our parents’ day-to-day lives. New
neighbours come and go, friends
move on, and the family GP is likely
to be retiring soon. Next time you’re
home, make an effort to knock on your
parents’ neighbours’ doors. Introduce
yourself and exchange details. Update
your little black book and make sure
you have the contact details of your
parents’ close friends.
Try to capture as many little
details
of daily life while you can.
Imagine sitting with a funeral
director, unable to answer questions
about your own parents. That’s going
to make a terrible time even worse.
Maiden names of your grandparents,
details of final wishes – find out as
much as you can now.
And, detailed information is just
as important to have while they’re
alive and well, particularly if you’re
seeing their mental health wane.
Utilities, insurance, and other
service providers need to remain up
to date or the consequences can be
dire.
Care3 Aged Care offers a
guidebook for families covering
all these important pieces of
information. These types of
guidebooks create a thorough listing
of what’s what and who’s who,
they’re perfect for maintaining life
administration and ensuring there
are no nasty surprises for anyone.
YOUR PREPARATION CHECKLIST
You’ll be best poised for success once you’ve got these details under control.
