Vanity for military folks

Self ^ | 19 July 2002 | Self

[Crossbow Eel]

 
 

SRC="http://us-pins.com/store/military/R194-350.jpg" BORDER=0 HEIGHT=115 WIDTH=115>

I had a military friend die recently and his family went through hell because his affairs weren't in order! Our fellow military need to have the following for our loved ones so their life will be easier after we pass on! Have a binder with all your documents and make sure the wife/husband etc. knows where it is. Inside the following is suggested (by bad experiences many have gone through in the military after a spouse died). I suggest the following be kept in the binder and a copy sent to a relative or safety deposit box: - Updated SGLI Insurance Policy (Get the $250.000) - Will (A complete one not the cheap ones) - What to do with your body--cremation, where buried etc. - What kind of funeral, coffin etc. you would like as well as who should be invited--even write the obit if you want to spare the surviving family of this task. Honor guard? - All insurance policies - DNR order or living will or whatever you/they prefer - List of all assets/ bank accounts etc. (They get shut down if they're joint accounts when you die so the spouse won't be able to get at the money and they need. - List of all credit cards (so spouse can delete the dead spouse and maybe keep the credit they have attained). - Marriage and birth certificates - Cash on hand if available/possible (Credit gets shut down on joint accounts within a few days) - List of doctors, dentist etc. incase they need to help ID the body with xrays etc. - Other insurance contracts like those extras that come with a house mortage, car, credit card etc.. - House deed or any other paperwork that may need to be changed - Retirement certificates or any other forms (Vets need DD Form 214) discharge certificates - Power of attorney to conduct affairs incase of a coma or other problem that would keep you from signing documents--military may be MIA or world trade center victims vaporized or lost at sea etc.. - DNA samples such as hair and fingernails - Any other instructions you want carried out or even a CD or video of you giving your instructions - Numbers and addresses of VA and Social Security adminstrations to call on benefits--even if still young

[Crossbow Eel]

This may not be news to some but it is breaking news for those who have family in the military. Please get your son, daughter, wife, husband etc. to get their affairs in order. Iraq may be sooner then we think !

[Crossbow Eel]

 
 

I don't know why the image was broken? Click on it to see it !

[KeyWest]

Add to all insurance policies - address and telephone numbers- since most change after many years.
And the dd 214 should be first on the list.

Also, don't know about the other services, but if you have a Navy Mutual Aid policy they will send someone to help. Great organisation.

[countess]

I've never heard that a joint account is closed if one of the people that own it passes away. Thanks for the tip. My husband is deployed and we have always thought that with both names on everything, we were safe. Even my parents put my name on everything to save me trouble later.

[El Gato]

I've never heard that a joint account is closed if one of the people that own it passes away.

It depends on the state and how the account or title was set up. Some phrase such as "with rights of suvivorship" should insure continueing access.

[Crossbow Eel]

 
 

The dd 214 is only after they are retired but good point! If you want to use this image feel free but the owner asked that a link be provided if it is used!

[Crossbow Eel]

 
 

I've never heard that a joint account is closed if one of the people that own it passes away. Yup - Everything gets locked up a week or two after !

[KeyWest]

Not in Maine. Plus, the bank has to be notified of the death. In fact, I was joint on my mother's account when she was dying and I had to keep her account open for several months after her death.

SS and the military pay offices will take back payments that occur in the month after the death of the militay member. So if death occurs late in the month, the check will still be mailed or direct deposited. The account must be left open so they can take the money back, as they did in my Mom's case.