Today...Ugly....

JohnDH
JohnDH Forum Participant Posts: 183
100 Comments
edited February 2016 in General Chat #1

Ma Dad droped dead today. 5 Mates in the grave yard. all to make this place better. 

Comment from Community Manager: 

We are very sorry for your loss. We have removed the last part of your post as we need to ensure no offensive language is used on the community but our thoughts are with you at this time.

Comments

  • taffyY
    taffyY Forum Participant Posts: 326
    edited February 2016 #2

    Sorry for your loss John.

  • volvoman9
    volvoman9 Forum Participant Posts: 1,053
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    edited February 2016 #3

    What ?

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
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    edited February 2016 #4

    Undecided Oh Dear !! A very sad & bitter John.??Sorry to hear that John.May he now rest in peace . Regards . Pete/Triky.Frown.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #5

    sorry to sound callous, but is this for real, or a metaphor for something? If it is I'm sorry to hear it

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited February 2016 #6

    Sorry to hear this John, but the way your post reads, and the time it was posted, it rather seems like you've been 'drowning your sorrows'.  I hope you're feeling a little better today!

  • taffyY
    taffyY Forum Participant Posts: 326
    edited February 2016 #7

    We all react to personal grief in different ways don't we?  I hope that things look a little brighter for you today John, my Sister-in-Law died yesterday after a very long illness so I can see where you are coming from.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #8

    Sorry to hear of your loss, John. Hope you are not on your own at this sad time. Take care of yourself.

  • JohnDH
    JohnDH Forum Participant Posts: 183
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    edited February 2016 #9

    Sorry to hear this John, but the way your post reads, and the time it was posted, it rather seems like you've been 'drowning your sorrows'.  I hope you're feeling a little better today!

    Well, the old fella was subject to a gaurdianship. So I have never had  access to his business affairs. I am named as the executor. I havent been able to find out from his solicitor and financial gaurdian if there is enough money for his funeral. I am stone
    cold sober and breathing fire.

    BTW Thanks guys

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #10

    Thanks for coming back John.  We were all a little concerned at reading your post.

    Being an executor isn't easy at the best of times so I hope you manage to get everything sorted.

     300 siggy photo 6b161378-22ab-47bd-97dd-22af5e8f67ba_zpsbtkpqljt.jpg

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
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    edited February 2016 #11

    John, you do not have to accept the role of executor if you do not wish to.

    Funerals can cost less than a grand.

    We all have to ‘step aside’ eventually. Life continues in the meantime.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #12

    Sorry again, try getting advice, the CAB maybe?

  • volvoman9
    volvoman9 Forum Participant Posts: 1,053
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    edited February 2016 #13

    I attended a funeral a few weeks ago where the deceased had not made any provision for a funeral.The funeral was paid for by the locol authority but on the proviso that it was at a date and time of their chooseing.It was a cremation and the relatives could
    not have access to the ashes which were disposed of by the council.It was one of eight services at the crem that day and each one was allotted 45 minutes for anyone too say anything and have music played.

    peter.

  • JohnDH
    JohnDH Forum Participant Posts: 183
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    edited February 2016 #14

    John, you do not have to accept the role of executor if you do not wish to.

    Funerals can cost less than a grand.

    We all have to ‘step aside’ eventually. Life continues in the meantime.

    How shall we say, you have made a very good point indeed.

    ------------------------------------------------------------

    I wont go on, its depressing really. BUT, if there is one thing I ask of you all, wherever you are, whatever you do, and how much you have. SPEND THE RUDDY LOT while you can, enjoy it. Dont let the law industry and other leeches get richer on your labours.

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
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    edited February 2016 #15

    I do like that, and i can assure you that I am trying to grow old disgracefully!

    TF

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #16

    Our young Scottish solicitor ( we call him young because he's ten years younger than usWink) says everyone leaves too much money. So as long as
    you've left things reasonably shipshape, sorted out who might inherit your gold teeth and the contents of your fridge....what he says is probably true.

    Condolences John, hope things get sorted and you can ease your mind into some peaceful thoughts.

  • JohnDH
    JohnDH Forum Participant Posts: 183
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    edited February 2016 #17

    Because the gaurdian left my fathers estate bankrupt (he laughed when he told me), I've had to refuse to be attorney. Not enough money for the funeral. I dont think this even happened in the dark ages.

    Tgerfish, that's the way ;-)

    Brue, even then, you might be leaving too much. spend harder.

     

  • cariadon
    cariadon Forum Participant Posts: 861
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    edited February 2016 #18

    heard on one of the money programes last year that we should estimate that we could live to roughly 80, so divide the savings with the amount of years left and to spend that amount each year.

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited February 2016 #19

    We're spending just like the motto on a Birthday card:  

    'When I retire I'm going to live on my savings............!  I don't know what I'll do after the first day!'

    John - I hope you're able to sort something out.

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited February 2016 #20

    Oh dear, what a dreadful state you find yourself in. I empathise, I won't go into detail. As a consequence we are doing as you suggest and living life and enjoying it while we can. We could leave all the money in the world to our siblings' children but,
    you know what?, NO. 

    I do hope the future looks better for you very very soon.

  • anothersunrise
    anothersunrise Forum Participant Posts: 264
    edited February 2016 #21

    Sorry for your loss. Its never easy, made worse by the chaos. 

    I'm dreading the day when my mIL passes. Even though she has made a will, which she seems to change every year. She seems obsessed by it. She is on a second marriage and he as far as he is concerned estranged from his daughters.  

    So it could get messy! 

    She said recently she was giving each (5) of her children £3k. Until her daughter, who hasn't had a proper holiday for over 15 years, said she would go on a holiday with it. 

    Families heh! 

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #22

    Thanks to the original poster for opening up this topic.  There is a lot going on that not all of us realise.

    The mother of a friend was highly active though well into her 80s until a nighttime trip at the top of the stairs landed her in a "care" home. While it is ideal, it is run by the local Council on the basis that she can stay there for her remaining years,
    just as long as they get all her assets and property now (less a derisory amount she can keep).  She could stay in a private home, of course, but once her funds were depleted she would be moved to the Council place anyway.

    So nothing to show for her and her late husband's life and work to pass on to the children/grandchildren. Solutions on a postcard please . . .

  • JohnDH
    JohnDH Forum Participant Posts: 183
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    edited February 2016 #23

    Navigateur.

    A story I hear more and more of. Three years ago my fathers estate was worth well over £100,000. On his death, just over a week ago now, he was bankrupt. Not even evough to pay for a decent, dignified, and simple funeral. When his Gaurdian and solicitor
    informed me, as the executor of my late fathers estate, he laughingly said that creditors will now have to go whistle, as will you, his executor and benifactor. Up to this point I always maintained a business like relationship with this man. Even respected
    his professional skill. Today all that has changed. Given that the Council and gaurdians have sat at the milking stool and spent the last three years driving my father bankrupt, I feel it only fitting that those same people provide the funeral I talked about.
    I refused the office of executor.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #24

    JDH - You could make a complaint to the Scottish Law Society and they may consider a investigation of the circumstances

  • anothersunrise
    anothersunrise Forum Participant Posts: 264
    edited February 2016 #25

    I thought they were not allowed to take the last £16k of a persons savings? 

  • JohnDH
    JohnDH Forum Participant Posts: 183
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    edited February 2016 #26

    LOL. They did. Because the legal aid service is not fit for the purpose, I have to do all my own research and represent myself in any proceedings as an interested party. Quite franky, I think we should all be interested parties.



    I'm feeling much better, and getting over the grieving prcess. My father would never have intended this to happen, and I think he would approve of my robust quest to seek justice, for that it what I am after. Justice.

  • taffyY
    taffyY Forum Participant Posts: 326
    edited February 2016 #27

    LOL. They did. Because the legal aid service is not fit for the purpose, I have to do all my own research and represent myself in any proceedings as an interested party. Quite franky, I think we should all be interested parties.



    I'm feeling much better, and getting over the grieving prcess. My father would never have intended this to happen, and I think he would approve of my robust quest to seek justice, for that it what I am after. Justice.

    I am so sorry John, that you have to go through all this anguish!  It is bad enough losing a loved one without all this added upset.  Good luck with getting what is owed to you, I am sure that you feel the need to do this in your father's memory, I know
    that I would have had to do the same.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #28

    I thought they were not allowed to take the last £16k of a persons savings? 

    It seems to be rather the first £16k.  Get it out and away while one can.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #29

    It sounds like something highly irregular has gone on with John's father's funds, but there are clear rules on what you have to contribute towards your own care costs if you have the funds.

    These are the rules for Scotland........

     

    Care in a Care Home

    In Scotland the cost of care in a care home is broken down into three constituent parts.

    • "Hotel" or accommodation Costs
    • Personal Care
    • Nursing

    The Scottish Government, on the face of it, would seem is more generous than the English as in Scotland providing your needs have been assessed by your local Social Works Department, they will make flat rate contributions towards any Personal and if necessary
    Nursing Care you require, based on your physical/care needs and not financial means. A Financial means test is only carried out to determine whether you have to pay for any "Hotel" or accommodation costs. The amount they are currently prepared to pay is:

    £171 per week Personal Care contribution and an additional

    £78 per week if Nursing Care is required (2015/16)

    However, Personal Care contribution is only made if you are over 65 and then if you take it you lose your entitlement to Attendance Allowance or the Care Component of the Disability Living Allowance, worth currently £82.30 per week at the higher rate or
    £55.10 per week at the (lower rate – for Attendance Allowance) or (middle rate if Disability Living Allowance) both rates are those applying in 2015/16. Also since June 2015 (unlike in England & Wales) they have ceased providing free NHS Continuing Healthcare
    to new applicants even if your needs are primarily medical needs unless your needs can only be properly met in a hospital. This means more people will have to be financially assessed to see if they need to pay for their own "hotel or board"costs.


    Means Testing

    Means testing in Scotland is only done to see if you would also qualify for help towards "Hotel" or accommodation costs.

    Those with personal capital assessable assets (and ½ of any jointly held assessable assets) exceeding only £26,250 (2015/16) have to pay for all of their accommodation costs.

    Only those currently below: £16,250 (2015/16) qualify for the maximum Local Authority budget, often known as the standard rate or contract rate. Unlike in England this rate doesn't vary from one local authority to another as there is a National Care Home
    Contract (NCHC) which standardises terms and conditions for local authority funded residents. During 2015/16 this sets the standard rate at

    £609.31 with nursing care

    £524.67 without nursing care

    Of course you can choose a care home which charges above this standard rate for "Hotel" costs but you or a third party, will have to pay the difference.

    Even where you do qualify for this standardised rate, they will expect you to pay them all of your income with the exception of Personal Expenses Allowance which in Scotland is (£25.05 per week 2015/16) and if over 65, £6 per week (if single) or £9 per week
    (if a couple) (2015/16) Pension Savings Disregard, away from you as contributions towards their funding.

    Those whose capital exceeds the lower threshold but doesn't exceed the Upper Threshold will have the value of any capital above the lower limit theoretically converted into extra "tariff income" at a rate of £1 extra "notional income" for every £250 worth
    of capital exceeding the lower limit.

    This is then added to any actual income received or you would be eligible for, if you claimed it, e.g. benefits. The total is then compared to the standard rate the Scottish Government has agreed. If your combined weekly income figure exceeds it you would
    need to pay for your own care until your capital reduced to such a level as the "income" didn't meet the standard rate. If the combined income, is lower then your local social works department will pay the standard rate but would expect you to pay them all
    of your income except the Personal Expenses Allowance.

     

    So you could expect there to be something left after your death, but not a lot.

  • JohnDH
    JohnDH Forum Participant Posts: 183
    100 Comments
    edited February 2016 #30

    Good post KjellNN, thanks.