Lots to Do Settling Daddy’s Estate
This is the second time I’ve been the executor of an estate, but Daddy’s is much more involved than Pop’s was. Luckily, we have a niece who is a lawyer, so I’ll have some help when I’m ready. I’ve tried researching what I need to do on the Internet, and I’ve been surprised at how little help I could find. Everything seems to be geared toward Estate Planning, rather than settling an estate.
April 15th is getting closer, too, and I’ve just not been up to dealing with important numbers. I did get a good start today, though. Starting is half the battle for me, as I find I’ve become quite the procrastinator in the last few years. I don’t know if that’s a sign of old age LOL, stress, or Parkinson’s!
We walked again this morning, but I was slow as mud. I made it around for a half mile, using the walker. I’ve been using the walker all this week, but I depended on it more today, as I could feel the tightness in my shoulders when I stopped. That slow as mud feeling is the first Parkinson’s symptom I had, so it’s looking less and less like I’ll be able to continue on just the Zelepar. The Neurologist told me I could go back on the Requip as well, if I felt like I had to. I’ve resisted, because the Requip gave me stomach troubles last time. Well, I had stomach trouble when I was on the Requip – that doesn’t automatically mean the Requip was causing it. It’s that uncertainty that has kept me trying to do without it. I’m just not ready to cope with stomach side effects yet. Maybe next week.
I taught 4th and 5th graders for 25 years, but I’ve seen the “Smarter than a Fifth Grader” TV show a couple of times since I’ve been back home. It’s scary how much my mind goes blank on stuff I know I should know. I hope it’s just remnants of caregiver burnout, and not the PD effecting my mental abilities. Stress can really do a number on such tasks, so I’m trying really hard to relax as much as I can. But getting things accomplished is part of what’s needed to lower my stress level, too, so it’s a matter of finding a balance, I guess.
I continue to be uplifted by all the loving comments. You all really are helping. Just a thought for you, if you need to send a sympathy card to someone. One of our friends included a neatly cut out copy of Daddy’s Obituary notice in their card. It was very much appreciated.
You’re right, Ruth. It has been difficult trying to get a clear picture of exactly what steps I need to take, let alone how to do them. I’m one who doesn’t like to just dump something like this in our lawyer’s lap. I want to do what I can on my own and understand what’s involved, even if I don’t actually do all the legal processes myself. Of course, there are those who say to do it all yourself, and leave the lawyers out of it. More power to them, if they can do it all right and not worry about having made a mistake.
It must be very difficult to get “your head round” all that you are having to do. I hope that you do manage to get your meds sorted and that the stomach upset was just a coincidence and not a side effect. Thinking of you
{{{HUGS}}
Rx
You can’t judge your mental memory for details by the kind of trivia questions on tv. My mind goes blank on a lot of things. Think about all the stuff we have stored up there. It’s a miracle we remember a dang thing.
I wouldn’t hesitate to use your niece’s skills to save yourself the bother. Since she’s family, I’m sure you will trust her more than a non-family attorney. I’m at the point in my life where I just say, “Tell me where to sign.” Well, I will look over stuff and ask questions if that little ding goes off in my head.
I can’t seem to focus on too many things at once when there is upheaval in my life…I rarely even remember what the book I’m reading is about!
I feel very scattered at these times and my memory goes blank more often than not! When things settle down and I relax more…my memory sorta returns, lol!
A belated Happy Birthday to you DB 🙂
I know how overwhelmed you must feel. At least I think I do. I agree with you and others who suggested taking advantage of your niece’s legal expertise. If you were Canadian, I could help but U.S. laws are too different.
My thoughts are with you. Try to look after yourself and let others help when they can. {{Hug}}
I’m sure you do know what I’m going through right now, Carrie, except your situation is even worse. I took a quick peek at your blog, and I’m glad to see your mother is in good spirits and apparently improving.
I can’t be anywhere near as overwhelmed as you are, but it is different when the spouse is still alive. You don’t really get into much estate settling until the other parent dies.
Take care.
LOL! Hi Carrie!! Actually, I spent yesterday working on taxes! LOL
My record keeping this last year was less than efficient, so I’ve been paying the price with a lot of digging through papers that would normally have been neatly filed. Anyway, it’s good to have most of that done now. Daddy’s will be easy enough to do, so the worst is over.
I am taking time for ME, though, but I really enjoy blogging. Plus, I want to keep this journal as up to date as possible. Now my other blogs … well, I’m not in that big a hurry to work on them.
Hi Sheila! Oh, I’m way too much of an obsessive personality to just say, “Tell me where to sign!” Mandy is a brand new lawyer, just out of school. We will definitely pay her for the actual work, but I will want to feel like I know what to expect.
As for the memory thing, we’re not talking rocket science on this show. The questions are pitifully easy. I understand why the contestants have trouble – they are under tremendous pressure. It doesn’t bother me when I don’t know Jeopardy questions, but these are elementary school questions! ROTFL!!
I’m like you, Marion. Clutter and disorder just send my brain into a deep freeze. I’m straightening up our house, little by little, and that’s already helping a bit. Let’s just say DH doesn’t “see” clutter the way I do, and he’s been here basically by himself for almost six months. Don’t get me wrong, though. He’s been absolutely wonderful, and he’s still doing all the cooking, dish washing, and clothes washing, while I try to rest and do other things, like the taxes.
Hey DB, just popped in to check on you. I’m glad to see you haven’t posted anything new actually. I’m hoping that means you’re taking time for YOU 🙂
Keeping you in my thoughts {{Hug}}
As said before we do to forget things that we feel we shouldn’t once you get to a certain age. I battle a lot with short term memory which can be such a pain at times.
Glad to see you are getting a bit of rest. Just do the Estate as and when you can handle it as it isn’t going anywhere. The more your niece does as well the more it will help her when she handles a client who she doesn’t know at a later stage.
We’re making progress with getting things done in relation to the estate. You’re right, Jackie. It’s not going anywhere. The Probate clerk said we had 4 years!
On the other hand, our DD who will be moving into Daddy’s house is so antsy she can’t stand it! LOL It will be their first house, and she’s so excited!