AIDS Response Effort, Inc.

Community

What Happens if I die?

August 30, 2011 by Tom Thayer in Community, News with 0 Comments

I just finished attending a close friends funeral which brought home the question? What happens to his children or his estate?

Death and dying is an unpleasant fact of life for us all. The reality of death and dying is magnified for those living with a chronic illness like HIV, another illness or just a sudden tragic accident. The scene is played out time and time again. Two partners, a married couple, or a single mom, raising a family, owning a home, and living life to it’s fullest. In the blink of an eye, everything you know and love can change for ever. If you or a loved one becomes too ill to make decisions, who will make them for you? If you are a single mom and get too sick to care for your children, who will care for them? Who will live in your house if one of you die unexpectedly? None of these questions are pleasant ones, but are important ones to ask now. We all need to think about the unthinkable when planning for the future. But what can we do?

  1. Talk to your family.  Tell them your wishes so its carried out.
  2. Take legal steps.  Make an ‘advance directive’ which spells out who speaks on your behalf and makes decisions.
  3. Keep your family informed.  Who is your appointee. Give copies to everyone.
  4. Name a power of attorney. 
  5. Take care of your children.  Get a guardianship order or consult a professional to file the proper paperwork.

Whether it’s your finances, your health, or your children, you must plan ahead for the unthinkable future. Consulting an attorney now will make the ultimate transition easier and less stressful for your love ones. And in the process you will gain peace of mind that your wishes will be heard and your loved ones will be taken care of.  My friend did ’just that’ before the unthinkable happened, legal issues will move smoothly while the family & friends morn his loss.  I admit I’ve talked about it but haven’t acted yet myself.  I need to put my house in order, shouldn’t you?

Tom Thayer

source: http://aids.about.com/cs/legalissues/a/future.htm

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related Posts

Please leave a comment

Like us on Facebook
The latest political news
  • Big Pharma in the Hotseat on Capitol Hill
  • Scandal in Cancer Research?
  • Barriers to HIV Care
  • Vermont Wants Blood Ban Lifted
  • Howard University HIV Discrimination Lawsuit
Recent Photos
Most recent posts
Connect with us
Subscribe to our updates via email
Events – past and present
Recent Comments
  • Sharon Jeans Crawford: Wish I didn't hafta work.... View Post
  • Who's Positive: Newswise — WASHINGTON, D.C., May 11, 2012 -- Who's Positive, a national HIV awareness organization, today announced the results of a year-long online survey measuring support for over-the counter (OTC) HIV testing. The organization will present these results at the upcoming U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Blood Products Advisory Committee (BPAC) on May 15, 2012. Overall, the survey findings demonstrate support for rapid OTC testing - particularly from the HIV community - with approximately half of the respondents identified as people living with HIV/AIDS. The survey gathered responses from 1,569 participants, 74% of which said that they would support an OTC rapid, oral swab HIV test that could be purchased in a retail store, if approved by the FDA. Other key findings include: 66% of the respondents who identify as a HIV-positive consumer support an OTC HIV test. 80% of those aged to 30 support an OTC HIV test. A majority or nearly 52% of those who identified as a paid member of an HIV/AIDS organization support an OTC HIV test. 47% of those who identify as one who performs HIV testing support an HIV OTC test. “Our survey demonstrates widespread support for additional testing options, especially among younger generations and those who are already living with HIV,” said Tom Donohue, Founding Director of Who’s Positive. "Over-the-counter testing has the potential to break down barriers and empower people who have never been tested before to learn their HIV status and, if positive, find the care and support they need." About Who’s Positive. Who's Positive is committed to raising the awareness of HIV and its consequences. Our organization foregrounds the reality of living with HIV through the first-hand accounts of those coping with the disease. Who's Positive strives to remind the public that this is a virus with no cure. Through the stories of those living with HIV, Who's Positive hopes to reduce the transmission of HIV among teens and young adults - a population with one of the fastest growing infection rates. ### View Post
  • Red Ribbon: HELP US TO BUY AND SALE OUR BEADED RED RIBBON BADGES, ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SUPPORT CHILDREN ORPHANED BY THE AIDS EPIDEMIC, E.G. VISIT http://is.gd/eLt3CQ OR http://is.gd/F7mmDx TO ORDER DROP US AN EMAIL AT redribboncampaign@aymu.org. View Post
  • Leau Fille: you're welcome. hit me up! View Post
  • Roni Minter: Thank you View Post
© 2012 AIDS Response Effort, Inc. All rights reserved. This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences.
Web design, development and hosting provided by Buzonya