Hi, I just stumbled across this forum a couple of days ago, and boy do I need to hear from you guys. My father and his wife are in their 70s and 80s, and not in good health. M father has dementia, his wife is just mean. I am the only child living in the same city, for the past 30 years (too long).
I know they have substantial wealth. Before the recession, supposedly around $2million. They have refused to discuss their end of life care with me, or the contents and disposition of their wills. When I worked as a paralegal, I offered several times for them to come in to my office and execute wills, which they also ignored.
I am not my father's primary caregiver - of course his wife is. I have offered to help but they have refused that as well. Does anyone have ANY suggestions/ideas about how I deal with this? I'd like to find out if they even have wills, or a trust set up, or anything at all. This triggers my own control issues of cours, but I am trying to prepare myself so I don't end up having to sort out a big mess down the road. I hope to not live here by then but who knows. Thank you much.
My husband and I have every thing in place and hope the 4 kids can come out of it unscathed. My experience is nothing I'd wish on them or even my worst enemy.
Good luck to you. I sincerely hope you can find some answers before it is too late.
As of today, I hate this situation. As of "someday soon" I hope it's less painful.
As a paralegal you almost certainly know more about this than the rest of us.
You refer to your father's wife. Is she not your mother? does the wife have other children or any with your father? Do you have siblings? Have you discussed this with them. I am not sure that there is anything you can do to avoid the inevitable mess but there are things you can do to help your father. you said he has dementia. How bad is it? Can he still understand financial matters? What health problems does the wife have? Are you able to visit them? Is your father being properly cared for? Is the house clean? Maintenance up to date? Do you see any signs that the wife is diverting the family money? is the wife also taking care of herself/ hygiene? clean clothes/ cooking meals? If you do see anything bothersome you can of course call in adult protective services. Would you actually be the one who has to sort out the estate? they may have named someone else as the executor.
From my perspective as a 74 year old able to manage my husband's and my affairs although we both have significant health problems. I am not mean but I would be royally pissed off if one of our kids tried to meddle uninvited in our affairs. I wish we were worth 2 million but we are not but have done the necessary legal work so the kids have little trouble. That's my take, I am sure others who have been through this will contribute other ideas. Try and put this on the back boiler for the time being.
I get the impression from your response that you feel I am meddling uninvited in their affairs. Please understand that I am not after their money, and am not plotting to take over. All I want is to see that my father is well taken care of, not abused, and is as happy and healthy as he can be in his later years. I do not trust his wife or her motives. I have witnessed her screaming at him, and have asked her to stop, which was met with yet more anger. Therefore I would not be surprised if there were abuse involved, however, I have no other evidence.
My motive is to prepare myself as best as possible for the inevitable, given that the two of them refuse to apprise me of their wishes or desires regarding any end of life issues whatsoever. I am trying to avoid dealing with a huge mess.
It may very well be that there is nothing I can do, except let things take their course and play out as they will. My offers of help have been continually rejected. Your advice to leave it alone is probably the best option. Thank you.