Posted on 12/12/2011 5:35:16 AM PST by Battle Axe
I have been put in charge of handling my significant other's affairs. He was a Viet Nam vet, disabled, very orgnized, kept everything. I cannot find the titles to the vehicles. I have huge files of recipts, medical records, every magazine he ever received, as well as catalogs. But I cannot seem to find the titles.
For example, he had 25 stocking caps. They were all in one box, except for the one he was wearing, and labeled as such. He had 69 pairs of shoes, they were in plastic totes, rubber bands around them and labeled, totes with either duck tape or velcro. We did not live together so I am at a disadvantage.
I am assumming that the titles are together and in one place. Does anyone have any experience with finding stuff after the loved one is gone?
I assume you have a family lawyer. He/she can chase this stuff down for you and get the district court to name you executor of the estate. Get this document and a death certificate from the state. Copies and originals of both will be required to get new titles, settle insurance and get through the probate process.
Good luck.
Look for a metal box in a non-attached building that would be safe from fire should your house burn down.
Someone will correct me if I’m wrong, but I think a DPOA expires upon death of the individual. One needs to be named as the executor in the will which (of course) needs to be done prior to the death.
Here in SC, you need an additional document, titled Right of Survivorship. Without that you have to go through probate which can take months. Review any will you have and if the RoS is not written in (this is a fairly recent law) then go to an attorney and have the document written.
It is well worth the effort. Everything will be put in your name fairly easily. Beats Probate Court! I don’t know if other states have this law but you can google to find out.
I am sorry for your loss. My husband passed away suddenly at the young age of 53 on December 3rd. I’ve just started looking for titles and the like. Bless his heart, the man was a pack rat and has papers everywhere. Does your husband have an office away from home? That might be one place to check. I wish you every success in your quest and peace in your heart.
Thanks. I’m quite certain all my ducks are in a row as we met with the family attorney when my father died a year ago. I’m joint holder of all of my mother’s accounts and the will states payable on death (POD). The family home sold last June so that is one less thing to worry about.
This stuff is not easy and my heart goes out to Battle Axe. I forgot to mention, my condolences to you, Battle Axe, on the loss of your loved one.
Check his highboy top drawer. I’m assuming, of course, he has one. Any chest of drawers where he could possibly have stashed important papers and put everything into a box, like a shoebox, and shoved in the back of a drawer.
I personally have a go-box that contains the most important papers in case we have to make a quick exit due to fire or weather.
God bless you. My husband also passed away at the age of 53 ...13 years ago. I know what you are going through and my heart goes out to you.
I have a brother like that. (also a Nam Vet) He would keep important papers(and sometimes cash)in the freezer! He told me that they are safe from a fire and theft in there. maybe that’s where the phrase “cold hard cash” was originated. It’s worth a shot.
Some people use the freezer as a fireproof vault.
Sorry, I have no ideas other than those already posted. Just wanted to express my sympathy. May God comfort you in your loss.
I have a brother like that. (also a Nam Vet) He would keep important papers(and sometimes cash)in the freezer! He told me that they are safe from a fire and theft in there. maybe that’s where the phrase “cold hard cash” was originated. It’s worth a shot.
I believe Power of Attorney is good only while the other person is alive. She will need a few death certificates.
In the gun safe?
I am really sorry for your loss, and send my best wishes for you for strength and love as you face what’s ahead. My handsome husband, the love of my life, passed away last year at 55 and honestly, there are days I don’t know how I’m still standing. What’s funny, and there isn’t much funny in all of this, is that the one thing I could not find was our car titles! I looked EVERYWHERE, and we too were well organized. Turns out they were in with all the papers I had looked through already (more than once)... of course I would swear they weren’t there but then they just magically showed up! I will wish the same for you!!!
MY husband is very organized about his important papers. He keeps them filed in a small strongbox in the back of his closet. I JUST last week went through twenty years of important paperwork and filed it all too. Told the kids were they could find the stuff when needed.
There’s an important lesson in all of this: it’s good to be organized, but TELL SOMEONE YOU TRUST where to find these things, just in case...or put that info in an envelope, and put IT in an obvious place that would be searched by your NOK, just in case...
When my sister passed in 2001 at the age of 54, I went through all her papers. In one otherwise ordinary file was a bearer certificate from her Credit Union, for 100 shares worth $2,000.
You can’t be too carfull. Landfills are forever.
And you can’t be too careful who you trust.
As one of our 6 siblings (the one who got my Dad’s house) told us, the contents of his bank safety deposit boxes were “just old papers and junk.”
One last thing; is it possible he gave his important papers to an individual, who is keeping quiet about it for other than honorable intentions?
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