Seeing Sue Gs name on a couple of threads reminded me to reiterate the boring old subject of having to complete one to ensure the minimum of fuss if one dies.
Yes I know I rabbit on about my health problems but being told that I was almost certainly going to die and been given four days to sort out my affairs really was not amusing in the slightest especially as two of the days were a Saturday and Sunday so in effect only two days.
It was thanks to Sue who gave me so much help from a long distance that I was able to go into the operating theatre with a little more peace of mind.
If you do not have one yet please sort it BEFORE any problems arise.
I will shut up now.

Graham

Good advice Graham.

There is some useful info about Spanish wills on this site.

http://www.advoco.es/home/22-latest/...-answered.html

Very good advice Graham

Another simple thing to consider .... when I had my sudden visit to the hospital last year I was out of it completely for two days. It became very obvious quite quickly that because I am the filing clerk and admin assistant in our house .... the wife didn't know where anything was. No passwords for the bank, no health card stuff. It's worth making a list of bank accounts, insurances etc somewhere, for if I had actually pegged it she would have had real difficulty resolving things

That really is a good idea

Another thing is to suss out the funeral director that you would want to use if something did happen as the hospital makes sure that the room is emptied a.s.a.p. Very bad subject that no-one like to think about but relevant none the less.

Rosemary

Because of what happened I used good old google to find whatever is required when a foreigner dies in Spain. The British Embassy and Age Concern amongst others give a list of requirements, online foms etc. So we both completed all of the relevant paperwork duly signed them added extras and signed them eg. we want to be cremated and as Rosemary pointed out source the nearest undertakers and crematorium. The last part is important because if your wish is to be cremated you need to find the nearest one as cremation is only used by a minority of the Spanish population.
Sorry to go on about it, if anyone wants the information please feel free to private mail me.

Graham

Graham, do you have the secret? I always when I die !!!

(Sorry to bring this in to your very important topic)

I should by rights have died during both of the operations and also several times in between so maybe I do have the secret.

Anyway, so many people do not think about the subject that the person left behind does not know things about banking etc so people should take heed and ensure that both partners are fully aware of everything in order that they are not struggling with practical matters plus a death.

Graham

In 1997 whilst in Hospital waiting for an operation for cancer I asked my brother to bring me a note book, so that I could make some 'lists and notes.'

Fortunately they were not needed, ......... at that time !

Hope that you are ok now.
I agree, I was quite famous for my note books, everything from new recipes and to do lists, (good days), to what to do when I die,(bad days).
I am an avid reader but when one is stuck in a bed for months on end not even allowed to leave it, lists do give one something to exercise the brain. Then there were crosswords, scrabble, anything.

Graham

Yeah. Will someone please tell my husband that in the unlikely event of him dying before I do I'll need passwords to continue my business!
I don't want to rant on about it to him esp as it's unlikely. (he's 10 yrs younger than me and in good shape where as I'm overweight etc). But He doesn't ever get around to putting them somewhere safe for me! I Think he thinks I'll give them to my son who could literally break the internet!

Wife doesnt know any of the passwords to our Banks, and in fact I'm not even sure she would remember one of the accounts actually exists

He needs to be realistic about the fact that age is no protector regarding death. Tell him to get his act together and show his maturity by ensuring that you have all the facts at hand in case he is not around. Incidently you should think about how it would be for him too and provide him with any details that he might need. I always say that if you are prepared you will not need it so see if that works for you.

Rosemary

Is that aimed at me as well

No, we typed at the same time so I have only just read your post. But, saying that, it certainly would make sense. Graham has sorted out two files with all the details that each of us would need in the event of the others death. We have even written and signed a note saying in English and Spanish that we wish to be cremated so that there are no problems. We have tried to think of everything but there is bound to be something that we have missed.

Rosemary