Land line phone question

[oldrooster]

I have it set up using Linksys PAP2T box which provide 2 physical phone lines to connect your phones. Once set up (which yes a bit tedious), you can use them as normal phones (other than some limitation in case of internet or power outage). Unless you have unlimited minutes on your cellphone, it saves quite a bit.

No cell phones at all. None. zero. zip. nada. that's why the land line was primary for all 3. but since a landline is required for internet the voip or a cell phone is a redundant expense....

 

[MROO]

I would simply ask "which one?" The elder or younger, before going into details.

This seems like your best option, at least for the short term, until you can figure out a more permanent solution. Explain to "Mom" and her sisters that, if "Junior" gets mistakenly listed as deceased by someone or something important - like a government agency or a banking/credit company. Most likely, it would totally ruin his credit, and possibly everything she is relying on to support her in her later years ...
Can you get the phone transferred to your name? Or just cancel hers and start over?

 

[PirateGirl]

Legally the name of the deceased needs to be removed/changed from any associated accounts, bank accounts, utilities, etc. I believe and someone else needs to be the legally responsible party because a deceased individual isn't going to be making any payments or decisions.

I do not believe there is any legal obligation when answering the phone to say anything about anyone, dead or alive.

 

[oldrooster]

Legally the name of the deceased needs to be removed/changed from any associated accounts, bank accounts, utilities, etc. I believe and someone else needs to be the legally responsible party because a deceased individual isn't going to be making any payments or decisions.

I do not believe there is any legal obligation when answering the phone to say anything about anyone, dead or alive.

the account was switched to the wife's name but the phone company recommended the account still be listed under husband's name in the white pages, and she went with the suggestion. Her sister if you read my previous post THEY KNOW FOR A FACT THEY KNOW EVERYTHING! They even make up "laws" that no one has ever heard of and say they are true, because according to them, they know everything and are unable to tell a lie....

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

This seems like your best option, at least for the short term, until you can figure out a more permanent solution. Explain to "Mom" and her sisters that, if "Junior" gets mistakenly listed as deceased by someone or something important - like a government agency or a banking/credit company. Most likely, it would totally ruin his credit, and possibly everything she is relying on to support her in her later years ...
Can you get the phone transferred to your name? Or just cancel hers and start over?

This could definitely happen and it is a big headache to undo.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

the account was switched to the wife's name but the phone company recommended the account still be listed under husband's name in the white pages, and she went with the suggestion. Her sister if you read my previous post THEY KNOW FOR A FACT THEY KNOW EVERYTHING! They even make up "laws" that no one has ever heard of and say they are true, because according to them, they know everything and are unable to tell a lie....

A lot of folks in the older generation do leave the husband's name in the phone listing for security reasons I suppose (and maybe it's a Hoosier thing). Your whole scenario could be played out anywhere down the road from me. I know where you are coming from.
I would do as suggested and explain to mom the ramifications of the situation if someone assumed the wrong Mr. was deceased and to maybe figure out exactly who they were calling for first.
Here's the irony - you tell the person on the other end that Mr. is deceased, but then have the phone listed in his name via the phone book. If someone was planning to take advantage most likely they are smart enough to put the two pieces of info together.
In my experience in dealing with elderly generations, I feel that they are too trusting of a generation and hanging up the phone immediately is best because of how conniving fraudsters can be especially via the phone (any phone). Believe me I've heard unbelievable stories of how people give out their whole identity over the phone.
Is there anyone that she would trust to tell her this info and that she would listen to? Maybe ask them to help you convince her that she should answer the phone in a different manner.
Good luck!

 

[sourland]

I would simply ask "which one?" The elder or younger, before going into details.

I understand that logic shall not always prevail, but this would be the logical approach.

 

[oldrooster]

Is there anyone that she would trust to tell her this info and that she would listen to? Maybe ask them to help you convince her that she should answer the phone in a different manner.
Good luck!

There is no one she will listen to, because she and her siblings KNOWS MORE THAN EVERYONE ON THE PLANET COMBINED. Some from her church told her when the son is away just to take a message or call back when he was there. But, nope that wouldn't work because sisters said to do it this way.
I showed this to one sister and she claimed I PAID you folks to write this stuff, or I faked it all myself. Funny she won't touch a computer, because that is the only way someone can steal your identity. She knows it for a fact and she is unable to lie...

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

There is no one she will listen to, because she and her siblings KNOWS MORE THAN EVERYONE ON THE PLANET COMBINED. Some from her church told her when the son is away just to take a message or call back when he was there. But, nope that wouldn't work because sisters said to do it this way.
I showed this to one sister and she claimed I PAID you folks to write this stuff, or I faked it all myself. Funny she won't touch a computer, because that is the only way someone can steal your identity. She knows it for a fact and she is unable to lie...

Oh man. Sorry to hear this. Sounds like you've got your hands full.

 

[Chickassan]

Had a similar situation here my mother left the phone listed under my father's name. I told her if anyone called for him say he's not in at the moment and take a message and callback number. It worked great, she was able to tell if it was someone she should talk to or not. It would help your group figure out who is actually the recipent of the call so nobody is answering a dead dude's phone calls.