by Susan M. Graham, Certified Elder Law Attorney*, Senior Edge Legal, Boise, Idaho
It happened again to someone I know. Addie died in her home and lay there for days before anyone noticed.
She’d had lunch with a friend on Tuesday. The following Sunday, her nephew Jim came to pick her up for church. Her car sat in its usual spot, but she didn’t answer her phone or the door. He could hear Puma, her cat, inside—but nothing else. Using the spare key hidden under a flowerpot, Jim let himself in.
The house smelled wrong. No one answered when he called out. Walking toward the back bedroom, he saw bloody handprints on the wall. Addie was dead on the bathroom floor.
Jim called 911. Police arrived, then the Coroner removed her body. But Jim had no idea what came next. Had Addie made funeral arrangements? Who helped her with doctor visits, bills, or lawn care? Who had legal authority to make decisions now?
Three months later, Addie remains in a morgue freezer. No one with legal authority has stepped forward to make decisions or pay the bills.
Don’t Let This Happen to You
If you died today, would your loved ones know what to do? Would they have access to your accounts, know your wishes, or have legal authority to act?
Your Action Step:
Schedule a consultation with Senior Edge Legal to ensure your estate plan includes:
- Clear decision-making authority
- Documented final wishes
- Accessible information for your family
- Protection from costly delays and confusion
Call us today at 208-344-0375 or visit [email protected], or Contact Us to get started.
Don’t leave your family searching for answers when they need them most.
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* Certified by the National Elder Law Foundation
