Hi willowoaks,

I know how you miss your life with your husband. I have the same experience now, and these are at times hurts and pains. Yet, as you tell, he walks right beside you in spirit daily. In this way, you have reached a sturdy, supportive way to gain strength through those rumbling times of sorrow. This is one of the ways your inner-self is loving you, it gives the opportunity to heal the hurt as well. And I am aware that this may not be the fullness of what you hope for, yet you do see what you feel is best, and know what you know that is helping and guiding you in a positive way. Great!

I am sad that this news with your health is a new challenge to overcome. Luckily, you have the care of your granddaughter to move your thoughts from self issues, and the attention to her needs will be of comfort to you as well. I pray for you to soon improve. Stay close to your hopes and dreams. God heals! And He hears you.

As for homeowner's insurance matters and the business with such, I imagine that a phone chat will soon verify the questions you have though. Most policies allow that both husband and wife are jointly protected; you may find that you have all the coverage to take care of the repairs. If you prefer you may speak with the agent involved with your home policy or speak with consumer organizations, check guidebooks online is a wise thought.

Hugs to you today!

Hi Willowoaks,
So sorry to hear of your situation. Not only are you dealing with the loss of your husband. Now you haBe your owe health issue to deal with.
Asking and praying to god for help is the best way. Hoping you have a good support system.
As for your insurance policy, If you call your insurance company and let them know your husband passed and you would like your name put on the policy, you at that point will be asked to send them a death certificate. But your also going to have to change the deed into your name also, unless it’s already on the deed Just my opinion and I hope things work out for you.
Sending hugs and prayers your way

It may be simple, it may not be simple. Rules vary from state to state. Depending on whether or not your husband left a will and/or whether or not you are on the title to the property, it may be straightforward. However, if you are not on the deed, he left no will, and there are others who might have a claim on it, it could be a little more complicated. I hope not.

Most mortgage companies would rather have someone keep paying the mortgage instead of having to foreclose on a mortgage, so they may be happy to transfer the mortgage into your name.

I was able to just record the death certificate to clear the title on our home, but that was in Florida and we were both listed as co-owners. The mortgage was solely in my name, so that wasn't an issue. The insurance was in both because we were both listed as owners.

Sometimes it's simple. Are you saying you were NOT listed on the mortgage or the title deed? You may need to get some legal advice on this, IF you are not named on anything and he left no will. If that is the case, you can get an hour's advice from your local attorney bar association's lawyer referral service. Most local bar associations have a program whereyou can get either free or reduced fee advice for 1-2 hours. Some also have prograams specifically to help senior citizens. You can search online for the local bar association for your city or the nearest county seat.

I hope this helps, and I'm sorry about your diagnosis. I hope you come through it okay.

Love and Hugs,
Martha

Thanks to everyone for your kind support and advice and input. I’m getting braver about contacting my insurance company now. I am on both the deed and mortgage so hopefully they will just add my name. Re-inspecting a 100 year plus old house sends panic all over me! It a great house but I’d hate to have to attempt to make improvements at the moment. Might not even be able to all at once either. My husband did have a will though so far I have never had to access it for the business matters, which are mostly complete other than this one. He was careful to file his will and military retirement papers on record in the county clerk’s office Incase I needed them and couldn’t find them. I guess I certainly need to update my will at this point. When ever I feel over whelmed or panicked I remember to say Thank You to God and To my husband for being in my life. I wish everyone could be so lucky to have someone in their life to miss and remain so much a part of them. A high school friend that lost his wife right before I lost my husband offered the best advice so far for both loss and my own future fight with my health. He said stay busy. I cut 8 square feet of hedges by hand today! It felt good. Combining that with Thanksgivings for the 35+ years God allowed me with my husband and 67 with other wonderful people and experiences instead of sadly asking we me why now makes all the difference in how I feel and my ability to move forward in time that seems frozen in the moment he passed..

willowoaks, it is great to be grateful to God - I am as well. Praise Him. I am so glad that you are getting braver too! And you are very welcome to support here; it is a pleasure to render helpful tips and suggestions, and you are so pleasant as you share your own experience. This is a difficult time for all of us and dealing with the passing of a spouse is above and beyond the call of duty. You show a great attitude in your challenges and it is thoughtful to follow-up with more news of your plans. I hope the best for you.

Keep in mind that asking useful questions in the right places is very important now. I'd set up an appointment with your insurance agent for a better look at your policy. Most advise a yearly consultation, and careful with the health questions, of which may affect your premiums. However, a trusted agent will consider what's in favor of your best interest and what type of policy is recommended for your current circumstances. Another idea: payout of pocket when you can. Most prefer to file a claim on instances aimed at high-cost repairs, such as a claim for roof damage. Be prepared to discuss your personal needs to the structure of a policy that fits your budget.

Nice of that friend to share experiences with you. and so sorry for his own struggles. Keeping busy is a good point, still, keep an eye on your physical limitations by not overdoing things, or stay careful not to feel rushed to perform obligations or make changes. You should feel proud of your accomplishments thus far. I am fortunate that you are educating me as well, the experience is always welcome.

It's good your husband was so thorough with the paperwork. Yes, you should update your own will at this point. You should also consider a power of attorney, in case your treatment incapacitates you. As we all get older, a power of attorney becomes a smarter thing to do, as a stroke or other physical problem can come out of nowhere. Where I live, the financial matters and health decision matters are done by separate powers of attorney. I have both as well as an updated will.

I agree with Remiah about the insurance policy. A trusted agent should be able to recommend what is best for you at this new phase of your life. Some companies will try to over-insure you to keep your premiums high. Or make your copay/excess payment very low which also keeps your premiums high. Every year after Cliff died, I had to haggle with mine to keep the premiums affordable. The same company also wrote our car insurance, and they raised my premiums when Cliff died. That was an unwelcome surprise. I hope you don't run into any problems.

Let us know how you get on.

Love and Hugs,
Martha

Martha, were you on the home owners policy when you lost Cliff? If not did they just add your name or did they want to rewrite the whole policy? I only have homeowners with this one company. My car insurance and rental property had to be rewritten. That is what made me nervous. I had to do repairs to the other rental house. To keep insurance. I’ve read they will often just add you to the home you live in and are on the mortgage and deed of. Hate to stir up problems for myself but I’m also taking a risk. I just paid 4000 to get trees removed to prevent damage to this home. I had 9 fall during a straight wind. My company might have paid that if I’d had this resolved before.

Both Cliff and I were on the policy, so I did not need to be added, but he needed to be removed.

I think your rental property is a different situation, because damage to the rental would also entail a claim for lost rental income - sort of paying in two categories if you had to make a claim. The home, however, is not generating income, it's simply where you live, and any claim would just be to repair it for your own usage. I think it will be easier for the home.

I hope that makes sense...

So sorry for your loss. I am also sorry to hear of your health issues. Please remember to take care of yourself. I am happy to hear how brave you are getting . Chin up I believe you are on the right path . Let go and Let God