We’re nearly there with sale of Mum in Law’s house. End of February is D-Day, fingers crossed. No more dashing up to Manchester to sort out this or that. Planning to use some of the money to put a conservatory on our house.
Update March: Sale completed. Sadly my Dad died on the same day.
After the sadness of Mum in Law (MiL) dying and 2007 being one of those years we’d rather forget, 2008 is starting OK. We’ve had and accepted an offer on the MiL’s house, the shower is finally working, my sons’ work experience is all arranged and the money from MiL’s estate is starting to arrive.
It’s my 60th birthday this year and I have to give my family a short list of things I’d like to do, so thinking cap on.
After a year of being quite poorly my MiL took a turn for the worst and was in and out of hospital for a good (or bad) few months. She finally passed away in October. So why am I mentioning this. Well I decided as she had left no will to Administer the Probate etc myself. They are really helpful people at the Probate Office. I kept phoning with queries and they never lost their cool. Probate was granted in late November so that was quite painless. The banks, unusually, seem to be cooperating as well. The house sale has produced a good offer so all seems to be under control. Not as traumatic as I’ve heard from other people ‘doing it themselves.
I’ve been neglecting the Blog lately as my Mother in Law has been very poorly and died a few weeks ago. She left no will, which was easy for her, but makes the sorting out after death a bit of a job.
Realised that the deadline of 30th September 2007 is approaching. If you make an Enduring Power of Attorney before that date it remains valid even though the law is changing. From 1st October it will be more difficult and expensive to get the new Lasting Power of Attorney. You can download the current forms from the Public Guardianship Office. Go to this link: http://www.guardianship.gov.uk/formsdocuments/forms.htm
Scroll down to the Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) section.
Download PDF, Print it, Read it VERY carefully if you don’t understand it take proper advice (not someone in the pub).
Sorry to bring it up again but just as we are about to go on holiday, to our caravan, Mother in Law has another fall and ends up in hospital. We’re almost back to where we were a few months ago. She was found by the Carer who comes in twice a day. This Carer, who is not allowed to put Olive Oil drops in her ears or help her with her inhaler, picked her up of the floor and put her back on the back!! Needless to say the ambulance crew were not impressed. What’s the first rule of First Aid as regards old people falling down, that’s right, don’t just pick them up and expect them to be alright.
I think we’ve come to a conclusion. Mother in Law does not want to leave Manchester. Out of 20 or so friends and acquaintances only one thought her moving in with us was a good idea. It will mean more visits to Manchester but I think we can cope with that. Not an easy decision I must admit and one that certainly made us think about our old age future.
My Mother in Law has had a stroke and whilst recovering somewhat she is not perfect. She want’s to come and live with us and my wife is weakening (guilt, emotional blackmail etc). NO one in the family or friends thinks it’s a good idea, but! Difficult times ahead for us all I think. Not a nice situation to be in and unless you are very involved, it’s an awkward one to judge.
