Death doesn't come cheap
Death may come on a surfboard but it doesn't come cheap.
I'm in the process of sorting out arrangements for the end of my life. Not wanting to end my life and hoping it won't end for many years to come, but wanting to have the formal stuff in place. Tell you what, I highly recommend doing this while sane.
* Will. I'd had one of those for many years but it was due for an update. It cost a few squids (£££) to hire a solicitor but I've heard that dying intestate would be a very bad idea.
* Living Will. This can't be legally binding under current UK law but I can at least hope that my wishes get taken seriously. Details about this belong on my more private LJ filters but I mention it in this public entry because I think it's worth having a Living Will. Again, this cost me a few squids in solicitor's fees.
* Power of Attorney. This one is legally binding and it's the priciest of the documents I've just had written. Until recently, we in the UK could award 'Enduring Power of Attorney' to a trusted person. That Power is activated when you become unable to manage your own finances. The difficult bit is that it's no longer called Enduring P of A, it's called Lasting P of A. The change happened because of concern about possible abuse. How many actual cases have happened, in which somebody got hold of a bank account and siphoned off the dosh, I don't know. But this is why the law has changed.
If you've already awarded Enduring P of A and you still trust that person, no problem: it's still valid. But if you want to award Lasting P of A, it's going to cost you. I've just shelled out £350 for the registration fee and a fat wad for the solicitor's fee. And the story isn't finished yet. You have to get a doctor's opinion about whether you're 'of sound mind'. That doc has to a) have been your doc for over 2 years, or b) hold relevant qualifications to judge your soundness of mind. Your solicitor may require a signature from your GP and the GP is entitled to charge you for that. I've been quoted ~£100. I'm pretty sure that I've found a way around that (my neuro has helped me with stuff like this before and I hope she'll do it again now) but oh my, this feels like vultures circling and I'm not even dead yet.
* Assisted suicide. If you go to the little blue house in Zurich, Dignitas will charge you ~£10K to do the deed. That's on top of your travel expenses and those of whoever comes along to support you. Dignitas do offer reduced fees for people who need that, but I don't yet have details.
I'm in the process of sorting out arrangements for the end of my life. Not wanting to end my life and hoping it won't end for many years to come, but wanting to have the formal stuff in place. Tell you what, I highly recommend doing this while sane.
* Will. I'd had one of those for many years but it was due for an update. It cost a few squids (£££) to hire a solicitor but I've heard that dying intestate would be a very bad idea.
* Living Will. This can't be legally binding under current UK law but I can at least hope that my wishes get taken seriously. Details about this belong on my more private LJ filters but I mention it in this public entry because I think it's worth having a Living Will. Again, this cost me a few squids in solicitor's fees.
* Power of Attorney. This one is legally binding and it's the priciest of the documents I've just had written. Until recently, we in the UK could award 'Enduring Power of Attorney' to a trusted person. That Power is activated when you become unable to manage your own finances. The difficult bit is that it's no longer called Enduring P of A, it's called Lasting P of A. The change happened because of concern about possible abuse. How many actual cases have happened, in which somebody got hold of a bank account and siphoned off the dosh, I don't know. But this is why the law has changed.
If you've already awarded Enduring P of A and you still trust that person, no problem: it's still valid. But if you want to award Lasting P of A, it's going to cost you. I've just shelled out £350 for the registration fee and a fat wad for the solicitor's fee. And the story isn't finished yet. You have to get a doctor's opinion about whether you're 'of sound mind'. That doc has to a) have been your doc for over 2 years, or b) hold relevant qualifications to judge your soundness of mind. Your solicitor may require a signature from your GP and the GP is entitled to charge you for that. I've been quoted ~£100. I'm pretty sure that I've found a way around that (my neuro has helped me with stuff like this before and I hope she'll do it again now) but oh my, this feels like vultures circling and I'm not even dead yet.
* Assisted suicide. If you go to the little blue house in Zurich, Dignitas will charge you ~£10K to do the deed. That's on top of your travel expenses and those of whoever comes along to support you. Dignitas do offer reduced fees for people who need that, but I don't yet have details.