to ask whether you have any preparations in place in the event of your death?

[WhiskersOnCats]

My dd lives with my Mum in Ireland. I live in London.

About 2 years ago, I went into hospital and almost died - as in family were called over as they thought they would need to switch the machines off. As it turns out, the only ones with valid passports were my sister and my DM.

I was in a coma so obviously didn't know a thing about any of this, but dd's passport had expired, so she couldn't come to see me.

If I had died then, it would have been chaos for dd, but I'm not actually sure what I need to put in place for her. She now has a passport, so should be fine if such an occasion should ever arise again.

That said, I'm having a sort of scare at the moment, to which I don't yet know the outcome.

I know if you're married, have wills and such, you don't need to think again about this sort of stuff, but if I die tomorrow, I have 2 tiny pensions which I presume I could pass to her maybe? I also need her to have details about her father who fucked off. Do I email her now with those details, or should I try to put all of the details in a will somehow?

I don't have a will. My mother is my dd's guardian.

@RainbowMum11, your sister will not be able to access your bank accounts on your death unless you have made a will and you name your sister as the executor while leaving all your worldly goods, and the money in the bank, to your daughter.
Good to have had the conversation but it is also important to get the paperwork in place.

She has all the log in details so she can transfer funds if necessary before notifying the banks of my death.
Good point though, will sort a proper will our ASAP.
While we are on it though, would DD automatically go to her Dad full time even if I've put provision in my will that the time she would be with me, she would stay with my family instead?

I know nothing about children, sorry.
Just know a bit about money and death!

As I said, I have 2 small private pensions, so I would like anything like that to go to her obviously. Can you pass on a pension?

Yes, and you should definitely do this, it doesn't cost anything to nominate your beneficiaries. Contact your pension providers, they'll almost certainly have a standard form.

DH and I both have our DD specified as beneficiary of our pensions, as we shouldn't need each other's.

More info here
www.pensionwise.gov.uk/en/when-you-die

She has all the log in details so she can transfer funds if necessary before notifying the banks of my death.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but is that legal before probate is granted?

Whilst we’re on this grim subject, you should note down any wishes for a funeral. Do you want buried or cremated, do you want a religious service, is there any particular music you’d like.
We ties ourself in knots when it came to MIL’a funeral as we had to second guess what we thought she’d have wanted.
We’ve done it with my dad, right down to the hymns he wants, his faith is important to him and I warned him that left to me he’d get All Things Bright and Beautiful, and Away in a Manger, as they were the only hymns I knew well 😁

I have a will, resting Power of Attorney (financial and welfare) and have nominated beneficiary for my pension. I also have life insurance (substantial) and income protection insurance.

Re the pensions- as others have said you need to contact your pension provider and nominate your DD as the beneficiary of your pension.

I know some people think I am "over insured" but I feel it is responsible to provide some financial stability for my DC in the event of my early death. The income protection insurance provides me reassurance that if I were not able to work due to illness or injury that my income would not drop too substantially.

My mum took me to make a will on my 18th birthday. Strange, because I was still at school and living with my parents so genuinely had nothing to leave (unless you count a large collection of paperbacks and some questionable music tapes )
However, as she pointed out, it’s an adult thing to do.
Dieing intestate (without a will) can cause a lot of problems, worry and costs for those surviving you.

I’m leaving for the military shortly so I’ll have to write up a will type letter before I go. Luckily fairly simple as I’m single and don’t own property etc, so it’s really just funeral arrangements and who gets my stuff. Also need to arrange a power of attorney.

If I had property/assets/a family then I’d be more organised

I made a will 2 years ago (just as I turned 40). Quite basic as everything goes to the kids via trustees if they are under 25 with the usual exceptions if they need it before then. House equity plus life insurance probably gives me an estate of £200k.

I also made a comprehensive list of bank accounts, mortgage details, life insurance policies plus contact details. Also all utilities etc.

Should anything happen all my paperwork is in 2 lever arch files in date order so should only take a couple of hours to go through. Plus a copy of my will is there too.

Kids would probably go to their dad but having only seen him twice a year for the last 4 years they're now old enough that their wishes would be taken into account.

It sounds like a lot of work OP but a few hours now will save someone so much trouble if the time comes.

I have a will made with guardianship wishes for dc. Dad already dead .
I have made provisions in will for guardian to receive funds in order to raise dc. Rest of funds go into trust until dc 18.
I also have written down what I want for my funeral arrangements.
The only thing I should do is write out things like bank details
I think it’s seen a a taboo subject that people like to brush under the carpet but I am happy to talk openly about my wishes. It’s hard enough when someone dies without having to figure all these things out and guess what people wanted

Even though we have mirror wills in place I am all too aware that my daughters have no idea of the investments etc that we have and wouldn't know where to start, as we're both over 70 I feel we should remedy that pdq! If I did say anything they would assume something was very wrong though as we don't discuss things at all.