Handling dying....

xrapidx

xrapidx

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Over the past two years, I've run into multiple people or heard of people that go to the doctor with some minor pain or issue, e.g. stomach pain, a headache, etc - and walk out with the doctor having told them they have stage IV cancer, and have around 3 weeks left... and most times the doctors were spot on... these are people with families, friends etc,... usually young and healthy...

I was discussing it last night, and can't fathom how I'd handle it, knowing by next month I wouldn't be around :wtf: I think I'd rather go instantly in a car crash - or even through crime knowing I had a chance to fight. But being told you have 3 weeks and there's nothing you can do is beyond me.

I mean personally, I'm a contractor, so I'd have to work those three weeks else when I die my bond wouldn't be paid, etc, etc.
 
Moved my life insurance this week to Santam. Cant speak for the turn around time on dreaded diseases cover. However you can max your credit card to support you those 3 weeks of parting(i say party but ya anything you want to do). And on death you family can just pay off the house with the money they receive. On death my better half gets R100k within 48 hours of them receiving the death certificate to cover essentials. So that basically covers all the bases as the rest of the money will pay out later 4-6 weeks if I remember correctly. Should be more than enough to see them through till the lump sum is available. Also if you have a bond you should have life insurance on the amount you owe the bank so in the case of you kicking the bucket your house is payed off.
 
I was discussing it with someone the other day - apparently when you die you still have to pay your bond - and usually it takes up to 3 months to settle your estate, so your loved ones will be responsible for your debt in that time - else the debtors will claim from your estate.

Else - the person overseeing the estate (can't remember what they're called) are entitled to a certain % - so if its your insurance company, they take around 4% - which on a e.g. R2,000,000 is quite a bit, and then who ever you leave the property to also has to pay transfer, etc, etc.
 
xrapidx said:
I was discussing it with someone the other day - apparently when you die you still have to pay your bond - and usually it takes up to 3 months to settle your estate, so your loved ones will be responsible for your debt in that time - else the debtors will claim from your estate.

Else - the person overseeing the estate (can't remember what they're called) are entitled to a certain % - so if its your insurance company, they take around 4% - which on a e.g. R2,000,000 is quite a bit, and then who ever you leave the property to also has to pay transfer, etc, etc.
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Executor
 
That's why you buy your house in a trust. Any property for that matter no transfer duties on your death :) Its a bit more expensive on initial transfer duties but after you pass away the trust isn't stopped and just carries on. But coming back to your original argument about working 3 weeks all this estate ect will still happen but with the cover in place you should be able to make the most of the time left.
Damn I sound like a insurance salesman hehe :)

Edit: DAAAATCH MAN ENGLISH
 
Still can't imagine having just three weeks... I'd also imagine its not going to be a pleasant 3 weeks.
 
Mbuzi said:
And what if the doctor who did the diagnosis was not qualified and gave you the wrong info? Eish! Instead of 3 weeks you will live for 25 extra years
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Anyone who doesn't get a second, third and fourth opinion when been given 3 weeks to live is a bit daft.
 
xrapidx said:
I was discussing it with someone the other day - apparently when you die you still have to pay your bond - and usually it takes up to 3 months to settle your estate, so your loved ones will be responsible for your debt in that time - else the debtors will claim from your estate.

Else - the person overseeing the estate (can't remember what they're called) are entitled to a certain % - so if its your insurance company, they take around 4% - which on a e.g. R2,000,000 is quite a bit, and then who ever you leave the property to also has to pay transfer, etc, etc.
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I don't think it's true that your loved ones will be responsible for your debt. Debt cant be imposed on someone without their consent. Your spouse may already be jointly liable. Maybe that's what you mean? It's your estate that will be responsible. Worse that can happen is that your loved ones get nothing from the estate. Depending how you are married, your spouse may share the debt. That could be a problem for your spouse.
 
xrapidx said:
I mean personally, I'm a contractor, so I'd have to work those three weeks else when I die my bond wouldn't be paid, etc, etc.
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If you are not married & don't have any dependants I doubt the bond would be on your list of issues to deal with. Can't see you taking the house with you :D
 
zippy said:
I don't think it's true that your loved ones will be responsible for your debt. Debt cant be imposed on someone without their consent. Your spouse may already be jointly liable. Maybe that's what you mean? It's your estate that will be responsible. Worse that can happen is that your loved ones get nothing from the estate. Depending how you are married, your spouse may share the debt. That could be a problem for your spouse.
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I mean if they want to continue living where they're living, using the same vehicles, etc... they'll be responsible for the debt.
 
Doctors shouldn't actually tell the patient how long they have left(heard people live longer if they don't). I would rather die in three weeks than having a car accident,you can say goodbye to all the loved ones.
 
I think once they tell you the bad news, you have to go for councelling - many people accept it and make the best of it, the others, don't.
It's sad though, but I think once you receive bad news like that, have your 'sad' day or 2, but then make the most of what you have left - go out with a bang!
 
volstruis said:
On death my better half gets R100k within 48 hours of them receiving the death certificate to cover essentials. So that basically covers all the bases as the rest of the money will pay out later 4-6 weeks
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Make very sure that an abridged death certificate is acceptable, the unabridged death certificate takes some time to be issued.

Once you are in that situation yourself life becomes very simple, you know you are going to die, just have to decide what to do until that time.
 
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