Just this week my cousin passed away. He was the same age as me, well a few months younger, but that's not really my point.
It seems that Paul had a stroke. I don't have all the details except this one in particular. His sister signed a DNR. For those who don't know what that is. It's a statement that tells the doctor and staff not to perform CPR or other means to keep a person alive.
BUT for as long as I can remember Paul lived with Denise. She even took his last name. The only thing she didn't do was put that in legal writing. No marriage certificate. Which meant Denise had no rights or say as to what SHE wanted done in this matter.
Now it is my understanding that a stroke doesn't aways end in death and perhaps she wanted the hospital to try to save him. I have heard that she and Pauls sister got "into it" over the decision to sign a DNR.
Thinking back a few years my other cousin Joe died of a heart attack at age 30. His live in girlfriend, who he had lived with since they were very young also had no rights.
Cindy sat in the back of the funeral home while his mother sat in the seat of honor. If that is in fact what you'd call it. She too had no say in what was done. Where he was buried , stone , casket etc. etc.
So why am I telling you this? Ladies and Gentleman that peice of paper as some call it has more power than you think. It can mean the difference of added heart ache knowing you had no say in what is done to or with your loved one or comfort knowing you did what you or they wanted.
Last I knew Paul and his sister weren't even on speaking terms. I wonder what he would have said had he been able to speak and decide whether his sister or Denise were to make such decisions?
Think this through. Paul was only 60. He had a son, was a teacher and mentor. Denise will have nothing but grief at the hands of her live in boyfriends family. In this state there is no common law. If they owned property together she has no rights to anything in his name. Even to half his estate.
Like I said , think this through and then check your laws. Don't go by what family says, talk to a lawyer. You may not care about money or material things now, but you might when you get told you have to sell the house, car or whatever because you were not legally married.
I think I can say with certainly that Paul and Denise will not be buried next to each other.
Just thought you should know,
Rancher
It seems that Paul had a stroke. I don't have all the details except this one in particular. His sister signed a DNR. For those who don't know what that is. It's a statement that tells the doctor and staff not to perform CPR or other means to keep a person alive.
BUT for as long as I can remember Paul lived with Denise. She even took his last name. The only thing she didn't do was put that in legal writing. No marriage certificate. Which meant Denise had no rights or say as to what SHE wanted done in this matter.
Now it is my understanding that a stroke doesn't aways end in death and perhaps she wanted the hospital to try to save him. I have heard that she and Pauls sister got "into it" over the decision to sign a DNR.
Thinking back a few years my other cousin Joe died of a heart attack at age 30. His live in girlfriend, who he had lived with since they were very young also had no rights.
Cindy sat in the back of the funeral home while his mother sat in the seat of honor. If that is in fact what you'd call it. She too had no say in what was done. Where he was buried , stone , casket etc. etc.
So why am I telling you this? Ladies and Gentleman that peice of paper as some call it has more power than you think. It can mean the difference of added heart ache knowing you had no say in what is done to or with your loved one or comfort knowing you did what you or they wanted.
Last I knew Paul and his sister weren't even on speaking terms. I wonder what he would have said had he been able to speak and decide whether his sister or Denise were to make such decisions?
Think this through. Paul was only 60. He had a son, was a teacher and mentor. Denise will have nothing but grief at the hands of her live in boyfriends family. In this state there is no common law. If they owned property together she has no rights to anything in his name. Even to half his estate.
Like I said , think this through and then check your laws. Don't go by what family says, talk to a lawyer. You may not care about money or material things now, but you might when you get told you have to sell the house, car or whatever because you were not legally married.
I think I can say with certainly that Paul and Denise will not be buried next to each other.
Just thought you should know,
Rancher
