Leah Kari, Retired Pharmaceutical Representative and Licensed Insurance Agent
No matter how orderly we believe our affairs are, most people who have experienced the enormous life upheaval of a spouse passing say they were not as prepared as they thought.
Having updated our trust today, I hope to convey the importance of meeting with your trust attorney and legal and financial advisors to review what you may have in place and what needs to be added. I am not a lawyer, CPA, social worker, or qualified professional who deals regularly with these important matters. The reassurance I felt after ensuring that our wishes and documents were on file and, more importantly, that I understood how they work and their validity gave me great reassurance. I want that for you.
Do you have a trust or will? Is it updated to reflect your current wishes? Do you have power of attorney for both health and financial matters? If a loved one becomes incapable of making health care decisions, power of attorney for health is essential to have in place. If you are enrolling that person in a health plan, you will need power of attorney for financial matters in place, as well as a HIPAA agreement that will allow you to handle matters after a spouse passes.
In matters of Medicare and health insurance, when a death occurs, it is usually hospice or a funeral home that tells Social Security of the passing. Social Security then alerts Medicare who provides information that allows the carrier to end the person’s insurance coverage. There are many matters that will require you to have proper documentation prepared. Acting now will make all the difference should you be put in a position of responsibility for someone else.
I have worked with people who were not on the house deed, did not have power of attorney for health or finances, and felt that, as a spouse, such documents were not necessary. There are several steps one can take to put documents in place that will facilitate handling matters when a loved one passes.
As residents of SaddleBrooke, we are privileged to have Senior Village, an organization whose members have access to services and help that makes a difference. Those services include assistance with the very documents discussed in this article. Contact Senior Village at 520-314-1042 or svsb.org for information.
The Office of the Attorney General of Arizona offers a Life Care Planning packet to complete your advance directives for making your healthcare decisions. Access this at azhdr.org, follow the simple directions, and return the packet, either notarized or witnessed, to [email protected]. Your wishes will then be entered into the Arizona Healthcare Directives Registry.
Acting now will provide great peace of mind when it is needed most—when a loved one passes.
Leah Kari, AMR, FHIAS, specializes in showing Medicare-eligible people their insurance options. Reach Leah for comments at 520-484-3807 or email [email protected] (TTY users dial 711).
Drive Your Dreams with One Low Rate
The excitement of finding the perfect vehicle can quickly be overshadowed by the complexities of financing. Traditional auto loans often present a daunting landscape, with interest rates varying widely based on creditworthiness. This can leave borrowers feeling uncertain and frustrated.
Hughes Federal Credit Union’s One Low Rate™ offers a refreshing alternative and creates a straightforward approach, simplifying the auto loan process and providing peace of mind to borrowers.
What Does “One Low Rate” Mean?
With One Low Rate, qualified buyers will get a one-rate guarantee on auto loans. What’s more, One Low Rate applies whether you’re shopping for a new or used vehicle at a dealership or purchasing from a private party.
By offering a consistent rate, Hughes empowers borrowers to make informed decisions about their auto purchases without worrying about hidden fees or rate fluctuations. This transparency builds trust and fosters long-term relationships with members.
Open to Everyone
The benefits of Hughes’ One Low Rate extend beyond current members. Non-members are also eligible to apply. To become a member, you simply need to live, work, or worship in Pima County or make a $10 donation to one of Hughes’ community service groups. The One Low Rate approach ensures that a wider community can access affordable auto financing.
Easy Application Process
Applying for a Hughes Federal Credit Union auto loan is convenient and hassle-free. With seven branches in Tucson, you can visit in person to start the application process. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the 24-hour online application or use the after-hours loan by phone service.
Your Road to Rewards Starts Here
This fall, every auto loan from Hughes automatically enters buyers into the “Road to Rewards” program now through Nov. 30. One member per month could win gas for a year, a road trip, or a grand prize of $10,000. Scan the QR code to learn more.
Hughes Federal Credit Union