Family member soon to pass away. Advice needed

[photomile 101]

Hello everyone. It's been many many years since I've been on this forums and my own Visa journey. And a lot has happened in these few years.

 

Unfortunatley a few days ago I learned that my mother is likely going to pass within the next month or two. This news came as a complete shock, and truthfully, death is always complicated but I fear it's even more complicated living in the USA while a parent is back home. I've no idea where to begin or what I'll need to do on the day it happens, or whether there are lawyers or solicitors I'll need to work with that are specific to expats like me dealing with a family members death in another country. 

 

In short, I'm lost. And as someone that tries to plan all the time, a coping mechanism for me is trying to get things ready, lined up, for when the day occurs so that I don't have to worry about it. 

I haven't dealt with death of a family member before. And I've no brothers or sisters who can help me. Of course I'm planning to come back to the UK and stay for a while. But yeah... that's about all I know, other than my mother has given me lasting power of attorney. 

[JeanneAdil 7,344]

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) can end in several ways. Usually it ends because the donor has died. You must report the death of a donor to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).A lasting power of attorney (LPA) can end in several ways. Usually it ends because the donor has died. You must report the death of a donor to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).

 

https://www.gov.uk/manage-lasting-power-attorney/end

 

most airlines have emergency seats available when a family member passes away

[Boiler 48,197]

Does she have a will

 

A local Estate Lawyer cand handle the financial asset side

[appleblossom 5,346]

3 hours ago, photomile said:

Hello everyone. It's been many many years since I've been on this forums and my own Visa journey. And a lot has happened in these few years.

 

Unfortunatley a few days ago I learned that my mother is likely going to pass within the next month or two. This news came as a complete shock, and truthfully, death is always complicated but I fear it's even more complicated living in the USA while a parent is back home. I've no idea where to begin or what I'll need to do on the day it happens, or whether there are lawyers or solicitors I'll need to work with that are specific to expats like me dealing with a family members death in another country. 

 

In short, I'm lost. And as someone that tries to plan all the time, a coping mechanism for me is trying to get things ready, lined up, for when the day occurs so that I don't have to worry about it. 

I haven't dealt with death of a family member before. And I've no brothers or sisters who can help me. Of course I'm planning to come back to the UK and stay for a while. But yeah... that's about all I know, other than my mother has given me lasting power of attorney. 

 

I'm so sorry. I lost my father earlier this year, and you have my utmost sympathies.

 

I had to register the death, arrange the funeral, inform anybody necessary (banks, utility companies, etc) and then we hired a solicitor to sort the probate for us as my father's affairs were very complex. If your mother has a will, that should make things much easier. And the LPA will too (I also had that for my father). 

 

I did a lot of the admin from the US, so please don't think it's more complex because you're an expat. It's exactly the same process, there's no difference just because you're living in another country, other than a time difference when making phone calls. 

 

My thoughts are with you. Please be kind to yourself. 

[appleblossom 5,346]

Oh, and a quick tip - book flights with BA if you can. They were AMAZING with me. I flew over only expecting to stay 10 days or so, but then ended up extending my trip and changing my return flight several times across the next 6 weeks until eventually my father passed away. Despite having the cheapest hand luggage only ticket, they moved my flight every time with compassion and grace. And they gave me a refund on a ticket I had already booked for the following month. And then on my trip back to the US somebody had obviously made a note and I received a sympathy card from the cabin crew and a small gift too. 

 

Their customer service was exemplary in a very difficult situation, and now I won't fly any other airline.