It's a battle everyday. After two years I'm trying to dot the i's and cross the t's by getting everything in my name. Bought a car on my own, and have a good credit rating, only changing electric bill, cable, ''simple'' stuff, they make you jump through hoops - death certificates, new passwords - all kinds of verifications. I'm going to fake who I am so I can pay the electric bill??? Jeeze. i hear you - it's frustrating. Best one is I am trying to chip away at everything to save money - changed my cell number to my home number and gave up my land line (a month ago). Got a bill for the cell of $258 - they charge for 800 numbers, for checking your voice mail, and basically for the sun to come out. I didn't know that - also all of the solicitations I get, even though I'm on the do not call list. I was shopping around for dental insurance because my pension no longer includes it - so I called 800 number and never thought about it. Man I'm dumb (not even blonde). Hang in - Question:. How do you eat an elephant????? Answer:. One bite at a time.

You should go back to the cell phone company...I don't know what service you have but I have an Iphone with unlimited text and media and pay under$100 a month. If you got limited minutes or times of day...then you can run up a big bill!

I had the hardest time with the cable company. I put our house up for sale and needed to drop the service because I moved closer to work. they would not let me do a thing to close it and return the box thing unless I brought in a death certificate. I was a crying wreck having to be treated like that in their office in front of people....doubting that I was telling the truth about his passing. I was in tears....looked at the woman and told her i was leaving the box...and they were not getting another dime from me and feel free to look his death up in the local newspaper on a certain date.

I never heard another word from them or got anohter bill!

I did have to end in a death certificate go get our air tickets to Germany refunded. it was half the problem the cable company was!

This is exactally why I will not change names on anything. There is always a fee involved and I think I need my money more than the cable company or the utilities. As long as the bill is paid, no one really cares.

As to the issue of refinancing your mortgage; there is a minimum allowed by most financial institutions. Each one in your ares may be different, and time consuming in doing the research. One alternative would be to secure a loan from your bank. Pay off your mortgage with the loan and work on the loan repayment. It is well worth talking to your bank advisor.

Maggie

Maggie - you would probably know - the reason I am putting everything in my name only is because if I ever sell my house and buy another, don't they look for my credit history? Or do they just go to our joint credit history? It's almost two years now, and I hate getting letters addressed to my husband - bad enough that he still gets email.

Last summer, I switched everything in my name, basically for my credit status, and because I found it painful to see Mike's name on the bills. I had no problems switching anything over, in fact, the companies were surprisingly accomodating. Mike's death is public knowledge and no company ever asked me for a death certificate or a deposit. Even the DMV was unbelievably easy- with no fee. Verizon fios was the only one who had me start over with a different package and I had to have it shut down for two days (but it was cheaper anyway). We were in the middle of a refinance when Mike died, so I had to carry it through myself, and I still didn't have any problems. I cannot believe companies have the gall to charge a spouse after a death to change a name on an account- I think my state has laws against this. What a slap in the face!

When I settled Joe's estate, I couldn't believe how much was just in my name (utilities, etc). Like Maggie, I didn't change the rest that were under Joe's name. I figure they can go after him if I abscond with whatever! I went for a refi last year (through a local bank) and was shot down. I'll try again this year (just to get the payments lowered), but don't have high expectations. Both of our names are on the title. I'm almost afraid to open that can of worms. Like I'm going to be penalized for now being single.

Is there a small local bank that would give you a loan for your $17,0000 that you need? Surely there is! That is so little to owe on a property such as you describe. Or, take the $30,000 and pay back all but $17,000 right away? Could you afford those payments? It sure seems sad with so little owed that you are having so much trouble! In my own case, I just got into the habit of carrying his death certificate around with me because so many needed it. Northwest Airlines, though, treated me the best. I had to cancel his ticket for a planned vacation we were going to take, and the man gave me NO TROUBLE whatsoever about it; took my word for it, and changed my seat for me so I wouldn't have to look at the seat he should have been in with a stranger in it! Awesome! Still working on getting the car into my name only before I move out of state.

Wildblue is satellite high speed internet for computers only because phone dial up is so slow up in the mts. We do not get cell phone service up here, so dropped my cell phone down to minimum

As far as bank, taking out more makes your payment higher even if you pay it off your payment is still the higher amt I am trying to stretch the lower amt out further for lower payments.

I just got call from local credit union willing to take me on, Tues appt time Yeah please pray it goes through

Vehicles you have to take his name off of for many reasons, lower rates with one driver, just took death C. with registration was done.
I wanted to put other bills in my name because if you ever need credit in your name only if you show no credit such as phone bills, electric bills its tough to do later in life. In beginning you get joint credit approval, but if you wait for few yrs they look at your credit only: no credit bad risk - I know after divorce years ago. So I started building credit for just me than so want to do same now. You also have to put real property in your name now for insurance purposes, legal purposes, when his kids took will to court he is having the property put in my name only. To get lower payments for remainder keep plugging away - best bet local credit unions Local banks I just kept at it on the phone, was pib, discouraging but yeah finally so again has not gone through yet but looks good. I mean our property is worth way more than the little amt I want to spread out.

After a mess was made in just changing the phone and wireless accounts I decided to just let the rest of the bills come in his name. I don't want to hassel it and send out numerous death certs. I pay the bills and they leave me alone. They can look up death records on Social Security but they are too lazy or bogged with the red tape of it all..I have done what was needed as far as car ownership and insurance. I refied the house to my name only and I have credit cards that supply my credit rating. The hoops they make you jump through especially when you really aren't in the mood to do so.

Re-registrering the car from joint to just me cost me a $100. The car insurance went up, too, despite there having been no accident claims and my having a "safe driver" designation on my license. I took him off the credit cards, left the utilities in his name, I was the breadwinner and the only reason his name was on them was that he had the time to call and set them up - I didn't, I was working. The mortgage was all mine straight from the beginning. The clear title, however, I had to record the death certificate in the county property records. That was good enough for Florida, but when I went for a loan with an out-of-state bank, they made me go through a couple more hoops to prove the title was clear.

I think the funniest was when I went to the bank and closed our joint accounts. There was one business account where we were both supposed to have signatory powers. They didn't have my signature on file, and despite the death certificate which they were happy to take on the other 3 accounts, they wanted a court order to close his business account and release the funds. There was a whopping $3.15 left in there, so there was no way in hell I was going to spend hundreds to get a court order for $3.15, on an account I was supposed to have authority on already. They agreed to freeze the account instead, which of course means that after a few years the bank will simply keep it. I'm glad I didn't leave anything extra in there.

I'm with standingalone on the utilities, too - why on earth would I be faking in order to pay them money?? You'd think somebody would think this through.....

Makes you crazy, don't it?! Good luck with the credit union. I hope that works out for you.

Love and Hugs, Martha

When I had to change things I too carried a death certificate with me and most places were very kind and helpful. Even apologetic about some of the paper work that was involved. A lot of the trouble comes from tha privacy act or the patriots act. The only place I had trouble was with Com Cast Cable but once I went to the main office it got straightened out immediately. I also had some trouble with the insurance man as he wanted to keep my insurance money and reinvest. it into another policy for me. When he found out that I was not some dumb grieving widow ( even tho I was) he ask me how I got so smart about money matters. I told him to send me the check and got up and walked out. Diane

@Martha Same thing on my bank, I was supposed to have signatory powers, but in WA state there was this 45 day wait period thing can not remember what it was called & with his death certificate was able to get the funds Otherwise they wanted me to go to court to get them.
WHen our whole estate did not make the $ amt to require probate

all utilities in my name, truck as well. Only thing in both names is house loans and deed. Can i take him off that, when we still owe on the loans?? I dont really even care, except i want to do a will, as he has a child by another marriage, and he and i have two sons, that helped and were there for us during his entire sickness.

Search out a loan company that specializes in Bridge Loans.....i.e.loan companies that finance small amounts to make up the differance when you are assuming a loan on a home. They can most likely help.

If you are over 60 you could check out the reverse mortgage. You would pay off your home. and have money to draw on if you need it. You can stay in the house as long as you live. It is an option. Phyl