Articles
Would you be prepared if your spouse died unexpectedly?
by Cindy Bolley HHCTB?
Would you be prepared if your spouse died unexpectedly?
We think that we have things under control but do we really have a clue?
I use to sell insurance. I would visit with clients and often times leave shaking my head thinking.. “what a stupid woman.” Many times the wife knew nothing about running a house hold except for taking care of the kids and the house. Everything else was left up to the husband. Something happened a few months ago that I found myself being that stupid woman.
Hubby and I have been married for over 35 years.. he is one of those
stubborn men that refused to go to the Dr. even though he felt
terrible…. Hubby walked around like warmed over death for months. I knew
he must of thought he was about to die because he asked me to get him
an appointment to see a Doctor.
I was able to get him in to see a Dr. the next day… and after several
tests he was scheduled for open heart surgery. As I look back on that
very scary time…. I realize that I was very lucky that things happened
as they did.
We like any other couple have bills… we have lots of bills.. He pays most of them and I pay some of them. Hubby also has a business that I know nothing about… It is a vending business. He has stops all over our area. I don’t know where the stops are… I don’t know when they need to be filled…I know nothing about fixing a machine if it breaks down… or who to call to fix it. As for ordering the stock…. I knew nothing about that either….. Thank goodness that he had a helper that knew at least a little about his vending business.
We had to wait a few days before the scheduled surgery so we took that time to talk about the business, and the bills, as well as the taxes.. you know all that other stuff that goes on in life. I thought my head would explode with all of the info I was absorbing. Stuff I had no idea about. I had never given it a thought that I needed to know that stuff….. I had to admit that I was one of those stupid women that I use to shake my head about.
I was lucky.. I had the time to learn about this stuff. How many people do not have the opportunity that I was given to ask questions and to write down the information of how to carry on with not only the house hold but also the business as well?
I do hope that you will take the time to prepare ….. just in case. You may not be giving the opportunity that I had. When I sold insurance I must of handed out hundreds of these booklet Planning For Your Peace of Mind This particular booklet is for the State of Michigan. I would hope that other States would have a similar book. Please take the time to print out this booklet and then FILL IN THE INFORMATION ..The information that is asked for will get you well on your way to getting your affairs in order….Then make sure it is in a place that your able to get to it easily…
I can’t express enough how lucky I was that I was able to gather the information from Hubby himself.
When death happens at anytime it is a devastating thing…. But when death
happens unexpectedly it is even more tragic. Please plan ahead… just in
case.
Planning for Your Peace of Mind…..A Michigan PDF
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About Cindy Bolley 
HHCTB?
5,828 connections, 80 recommendations, 14,760 honor points.Joined APSense since, May 9th, 2007, From Ida, Michigan, United States.
Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.
Comments
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Cindy Bolley
HHCTB?Your welcome Warren.. glad to know your house is in order. I hope that others will do the same. Dec 9th 2015 15:49 2 Likes |
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Carmen Smith
 Home Business EntrepreneurCindy: Thank you for the article here. I am in the same situation as you. We knew ahead of time. So, I like you have had a chance to prepare. But, I need to do the same for him. It is a subject that most of us do not like to talk about or think about. Dec 10th 2015 13:20 3 Likes |
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Cindy Bolley
HHCTB?I am sorry to hear about your hubby Carmen.... There is never a good time.... But the present time sounds the best.....!... All the best to you and yours Dec 10th 2015 13:44 2 Likes |
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Joe Henning
 Your Profit ConnectionEvery now and then, which should be more often than that, I log in to see what Cindy shared, as she's quite a prolific article writer and then I came across this one... having been a Financial Advisor for 29 years, I totally identify with the situation, but sadly it is a subject many, many, many people would rather not even talk about...!! Best of luck to both Cindy and Carmen and wishing you both a really impressive 2016! Dec 31st 2015 12:47 2 Likes |
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Cindy Bolley
HHCTB?Thanks Joe...... and yes I think Carmen and I have a special bond.. Dec 31st 2015 12:51 2 Likes |
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Joe Henning
Your Profit ConnectionI haven't included the question in the previous comment, but have been wondering... 'How's your hubby doing?' Dec 31st 2015 15:29 2 Likes |
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RitaAnn~ E.
Online Girl, Wearer of Many HatsNice article and one I myself have often found myself talking to God about after hitting the 40yr. marriage mark. That old age just jumped on us out of nowhere, I'm not sure how that happened. :-) Here we are and thank you for the article, it does give me some insight on what steps I should be working on. Thank you again, RitaAnn~ Feb 5th 2023 01:36 |
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Dr Don Yates Sr PhD
 Entrepreneur, Mentor, Advisor, CEOThanks for reposting this wonderful piece, and for the resource Cindy, Something of real value to all of us. Still, further, I hope your husband is still doing wonderfully. I have been a world traveler since the military in 1956 and married my first wife in 1957. She was the mother of our four sons. However, after nearly 20 years she divorced me because we never grew together and she didn't want to hold me back in my fast-track career pursuit. My sons are nesters and closely bonded with her since I was always gone. She remarried and divorced after a short period drawing her children even closer to her. Although I believe I was a great father, when home, participated in all their activities as well as related community activities. I have seen several deaths over the years, a son, and grandchildren, that I have never seen in person, helping to bury one... My greatest regret was the loss of my first wife, the mother of my 4 sons. Will love her forever. Second. My sons were devastated, never talk to me, and clearly leave the impression that they wished that I had died before her. Forgive me for dragging this on, and Wish Cindy and others the Very Best in Life Feb 5th 2023 01:50 1 Likes |
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Cindy Bolley
HHCTB?Dr. Don. I had no idea that you had left this comment here that you posted over a year ago.... You comment was very sad to read... You are one that made lemonade out of those lemons that we hear so much about...All the best to you.... Feb 15th 2024 09:33 1 Likes |
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Dr Don Yates Sr PhD
Entrepreneur, Mentor, Advisor, CEOWow, Thanks Cindy I too 4got about this. I have another, sadder , but a private loss this year Feb 16th 2024 04:11 1 Likes |
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Cindy Bolley
HHCTB?Once again I am sad to read your comment....take care..and know that others are thinking of you. Feb 17th 2024 17:02 1 Likes |
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Dr Don Yates Sr PhD
Entrepreneur, Mentor, Advisor, CEOThanks Cindy, I'm adjusting. BTW how is Hubby? Feb 20th 2024 23:37 1 Likes |
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Cindy you are so right and at 77 years old I have seen my share of tragedies that ended badly for that very reason you related. Fortunately my wife does all the bill paying and is very much aware of all our assets and obligations and would have no problem without me. She also keeps a little book with all the logins to our accounts so if anything happens to her, I can pick it up. God forbid if we both were killed in a plane wreck, the kids would be lost. So thanks for the reminder to get it in order.
Dec 9th 2015 15:38 3 Likes