"Life Plans"

[1MADDOG1]

   It is never too early to make “Life Plans” or as some say, advanced directives in the final event of life known as death. Some may not give a “hairy rat's butt” about what will happen when they are gone but, it is a purely selfish thought in as much as with what family and loved ones are left to deal with.
   In a recent event that happened this past Friday, February 4, 2011, Sean Wayne Clark age 25 of Destin, Florida, was found dead in the kitchen of his home he shared with his girlfriend (of the last 10 years) and their two daughters ages eight and three. They were never married. His girlfriend has NO right or say so as to what is going to happen with his remains due to the fact that they were never married and the State of Florida no longer recognizes “Common Law” unions. She cannot legally make any kind of decisions in regards to his wishes he had made in the past since there was no form of documentation or “Power of Attorney” ever created. At the present, Sean’s mother has come in from Louisiana and intends on having his remains cremated since there isn’t enough funds for a proper burial (this is not a plea for money) and/or transportation back to his home state. These were not the wishes of Sean that he had previously related to his girlfriend several months ago. She is powerless to do as he wished. No, there was also no Life Insurance or any other form of security for his family to utilize.
   So, no matter your age, if you have certain wishes or desires to be carried out in the event of your demise, PLEASE have advanced directives, Insurance and/or some form of legal documentation set in place for your family or loved ones to carry out your final plans so that it may reduce the complications for those you leave behind.
   Some will ask why I even worry about such. Reason, I knew Sean for the last nine plus years. My girlfriend of almost ten years is the grandmother to his two daughters (so sort of my son-in-law) and it is hitting home very hard.
   Please make your plans to have your wishes carried out and something in the works to have your loved ones taken care of when you are gone.

Thanks for viewing.
Respectfully,
1MADDOG1

[greens]

Dam man sorry to hear maddog, condolences bud. I better get my will done, i aint even have it done yet, yet alone started it. sheesh, n i have land n alotta shares w my corporation. i better fill them out for my kids.
once again <S> maddog condolences

<S> greens

[Yeager]

Agreed 100% MD.  For some unknown reason I am reminded of these words penned by the late J Lennon: "Life is what happens while you are making other plans."  Plan on taking care of your family in the event of your untimely death.  Care for the ones you love, even in death.

[68Wooley]

If you don't have a plan, your local government officials will have one for you, and you're probably not going to like it...
http://www.ocregister.com/news/-285020--.html

[Shuffler]

Sorry to hear of the death. You never know when something may happen.

This is another reason making a commitment like marriage is so important if your going to have kids.

[Dadsguns]

Sorry to hear all of this, but its just coincidence that this morning we had "training for the trainers" today and it was hammered in to us to pass along to our young sailors to have them get a WILL AND POWER OF ATTORNEY, never to say just one or the other but both in conjunction when saying that line.  

I do agree with you strongly MD, it goes a long way to ensure things go as smooth as possible in the event of something tragic as this.  

[HB555]

Wife and I made all those arrangements two years ago, after, like so many others, putting it off over and over again.
Sorry to hear that story, MADDOG, if there is anything I can do to help, you know I'll try.
My condolences to you and Sean's family.

[yabojabo]

Amen MD.

Sound Advice.