Do you have a will or a living will?   will you be taken care of when you die?
830567
This is a good question on an even better topic.  It is very important to make your wishes known as to what you would prefer should you ever be in a position where you are unable to make those decisions.  I make sure my parents know I do not want to be on life support.  This is a very smart thing to do, and highly recommended.
273954
I would get a second and third opinion.\n\nI would make certain I was "right with God."\n\nI would organize vital paperwork my family would need upon my death.\n\nI would write letters to my friends and family (to be opened after my death), detailing how important they were to me, how much and why I loved them so, and encouraging them not to grieve my death, but to celebrate my life lived.\n\nI would enjoy fully, every last second of breath.\nI would anticipate going home to God.
889283
They are two different things, entirely.  The life insurance will cut a check to whoever the listed beneficiary is, at the time of your death.  The will cannot change the life insurance contract.  So you can't change a beneficiary of a policy, using your will.  \n\nYour will is for the distribution of your ASSETS.  A life insurance policy is NOT an asset.  The only way you can make your will distribute life insurance procedes, is if you make the beneficiary of your will, your estate.  Then the life insurance goes into your estate.  All the assets of your estate and your debts get added up, the assets pay off all your debts, and any assets or money left over after all your debts are paid, gets distributed as your will says. \n\nThe whole POINT of life insurance, is to leave money to someone, that can't be attached by your debts.   OK, that's not the only point, but it's the biggest one, IMO.
74854
Every state has laws that specify how property is distributed if someone dies without a will, but the key is that the person must die without a will.\n\nMost wills have a clause that says what happens to the property if someone dies before the person making the will.  If the will is silent, then you need to look at state law and the laws will vary by state.\n\nConsult a probate/estate planning attorney if your area for further assistance.
251757
Someone who dies without leaving a will is considered "intestate" \n\nThe major difference between dying testate (with a will) and dying intestate is that an intestate estate is distributed to beneficiaries in accordance with the distribution plan established by state law \n\n(from http://law.freeadvice.com/estate_plannin...\n\nThe executor can't just distribute the estate however they choose. This would have to be court supervised.\n\nEach state has laws regarding "intestate distribution", that is, who gets what and in what order.\n\nDon't know what state you are in, but you can do internet search for "intestate distribution STATE" to see how the estate should be distributed among surviving family members.\n\nIf you suspect there was a problem with the distribution, contact a lawyer, you probably can still contest it.
382914
where theres a will, theres a way! Yay! :)
886613
You thoughts are just like mine.  If there is a will, there is a way.
1010433
keep in mind that all property passes to the surviving spouse when one spouse dies...unless otherwise specified. Even though there was a will...unless it specifically states a division of assets...you might be entitled to nothing. If the two were divorced, it complicates things if the will was not updated. Also, if you are a minor, you have less control than if not a minor.\n\nHowever...the fact that a will was not shown to you IS curious. Do what the first person said. A will becomes public information. Go get a copy! It will just be a few bucks copying charge and then you'll know....
1078923
It depends on what the will says.
352960
It all depends if your brain is still alive , you would be dreaming intermittently...if the brain is dead then you would just be kept from moving on until your body die. If you know what's going on around you, then I think it would be awful but never been in that position. That's why is so important to fill a living will when you are going to be admitted in to a hospital. You could also let someone close to you know what would you like to do in that case.
1144202
wife unless otherwise specified in will
138414
When a person dies intestate (without a will) the state law effectively writes one for you. \nAt the very least you will need a death certificate.  That goes for everything that is in your mother's name.  (I'm assuming your father is not in the picture, either through divorce or death).  \n\nGoogle:  (your state)  "without a will"
123339
whomever you will it to or if you put it into a living trust you can designate somebody to be the beneficiary of the trust
1071014
You MUST have a living will for this information to be known!  Personally if I'm breathing on my own, and show signs of brain activity then chances are I will awaken. If I show none of the previous signs then by all means pull the plug & let my children, and the rest of my family remember me as I was.  As a healthcare professional I applaud you for having a living will, that's a hard desicion to make that is sometimes asked of our loved ones, one that I have seen people make with their hearts, instead of their heads.  Good for you! :-)
331435
You need an attorney, without a doubt.  You also have to release the funds/property exactly as stated in the will.  Your job is to make it go smoothly, and make sure everyone get's what their supposed to.  An attorney will help you do this legally.  I know I just went through this about 2 years ago.
128809
Sorry about your dad.\n\nIf a person dies without a will (intestate) the distribution of the estate is overseen by the probate court.\n\nBy intestate succession, the remaining estate is distributed to the closest surviving relatives. In most states, that would be the surviving spouse, children, parents, and other siblings, in that order.\n\nIf your mom is still alive, she should get the estate. If she is not, then it should be split between children.\n\nYou probably should consult with a lawyer familiar with estate laws.  You can also get a lot of information on the web, search for "intestate" and "probate" specific to the states involved.
576854
Take the will to the courthouse in the county where the deceased person resided.  There should be a court office set up for helping people in your situation.  In my state its called the Probate Court. They will probate the will and give out documents that will allow the executor (person designated by the deceased person to wrap up his affairs) to go to banks etc. and do whatever the deceased person could have done if still alive.  Its usually just a matter of filing forms.  I would avoid the expense of a lawyer unless the estate is complex or you anticipate litigation amongst family members.