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Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.
Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

My Survivorship A to Z Guide

Planning Ahead Essential

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Note: This is a sample Survivorship A to Z Guide for a fictitious person we call John. John is just diagnosed with HIV. To view a summary of his answers which led to this Guide, click here.

To get your own free, computer-generated A to Z Guide, click here.

Now is a good time to plan ahead in case you become incapacitated and can't speak for yourself, or if you die. The more you plan, the less there is to worry about.

As a general matter, if you become incapacitated or die, your spouse will be the person to take sole care, custody and control of your children. If this isn't what you want, take action now. [Tell me more]

If you don't want your spouse to be the person to take care of your children, or if your spouse is not the natural or adoptive parent of the children, check with your attorney to take the appropriate steps to assure your children are protected in the manner you desire.

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It's time to write a Will to keep control of your assets and get peace of mind. It doesn't take a lot of time or money. Preferably, involve a lawyer to assure it's valid and challenge-proof. [Tell me more]

With all the questions you have to deal with due to your recent diagnosis, the last thing you may want to do is to revisit your Will and other plans for passing your assets to your heirs. However, as soon as you get some time, it's exactly what you should do. 

Everyone should have an up-to-date Will. It doesn't matter whether:

  • All your money is in a trust or other entity.
  • Title to your assets is registered so that your assets pass automatically to someone else.

Dying without a Will (known as "Intestacy"), can be brutal.

We do not recommend writing a Will yourself.

  • Writing a Will becomes part of an overall discussion with a professional about minimizing estate taxes. Given the size of your estate, the issue of estate taxes should be addressed. This can involve the use of trusts or other legal entities, or strategies as simple as the way you register title to an asset.
  • If mistakes are made, you won't be here to correct them.
  • A lawyer can help protect your Will against challenges.
  • If you spend time in more than one state, your Will needs to be executed in accordance with the law of each of those states "just in case."

If you do want to write your own Will, at least ask an attorney to review it for you. Ideally he or she will also oversee the execution. A Will that is not executed following the state's requirements is usually not valid.

Be sure your Will is stored where it is safe and accessible -- preferably NOT in your safe deposit box which can take time before it is opened.

Consider speaking with your heirs about your Will.

  • A discussion can help assure that your wishes will be carried out.
  • A discussion can also smooth any potentially hurt feelings -- a hurt compounded by the grief of their loss. For example, feelings of heirs who may be upset by what they are or are not getting from your estate, or what someone else is getting.