Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 12, 2024 avavvyvy avvy S iorn oreniioor a avvy iori by Jim Miller Essential Topics You Need to Discuss with Your Aging Parents Dear Savvy Senior, My siblings and I don’t know much about our elderly parent’s fi nancial situation or their wishes if and when something happens to them. They are both in their mid-eighties. What’s the best way to handle this and what all should we know? Apprehensive Daughter Dear Apprehensive, Many adult children don’t know much about their elderly parent’s fi nancial situation or end-of-life plans, but they need to. Getting up to speed on their fi nances, insurance policies, long-term care plans and other information is important because some day you might have to help them handle their fi nancial aff airs or care, or execute their estate plan after they die. Without this information, your job becomes much more diffi cult. Here are some tips that can help. Have the Conversation If you’re uncomfortable talking to your parents about this, use this column as a prompt or see TheConversationProject.org, which off ers free guides that can help you kick-start these discussions. It’s also a good idea to get all your siblings involved too. This can help you head off any possible hard feelings, plus, with others involved, your parents will know everyone is concerned. When you talk with your parents, you’ll need to collect some information, fi nd out where they keep key documents and how they want certain things handled when they die or if they become incapacitated. Here’s a checklist of areas to focus on. PERSONAL INFORMATION • Contacts: Make a list of names and phone numbers of your parent’s doctors, lawyer, accountant, broker, tax preparer, insurance agent, etc. • Medical information: Make a copy of their medical history and a list of medications they take. • Personal documents: Find out where they keep their Social Security card, marriage license, military discharge papers, etc. • Secured places: Make a list of places they keep under lock and key such as safe deposit boxes, safe combination, security alarms, etc. • Digital assets: Make a list of their digital assets – everything from social media accounts to online banking. It should include usernames and passwords. • Pets: If they have a pet, what are their instructions for the animal’s care? • End of life: What are their wishes for organ or body donation, and their funeral instructions? If they’ve made pre-arrangements with a funeral home, get a copy of the agreement. LEGAL DOCUMENTS • Will: Do they have an updated will or trust, and where is it located? • Power of attorney: Do they have a power of attorney document that names someone to handle their fi nancial matters if they become incapacitated? • Advance directives: Do they have a living will and a medical power of attorney that spells out their wishes regarding their end-of-life medical treatment? If they don’t have these documents prepared, now’s the time to make them. FINANCIAL RECORDS • Financial accounts: Make a list of their bank accounts, brokerage and mutual fund accounts, and any other fi nancial assets they have. • Debts and liabilities: Make a list of any loans, leases or debts they have – mortgages owed, car loans, student loans, medical bills, credit card debts. Also, make a list of all credit and charge cards, including the card numbers and contact information. • Company benefi ts: Make a list of any retirement plans, pensions or benefi ts from their former employers including the contact information of the benefi ts administrator. • Insurance: Make a list of the insurance policies they have (life, longterm care, home, auto, Medicare, etc.) including the policy numbers, agents and phone numbers. • Property: Make a list of the real estate, vehicles or other properties they own, rent or lease and where they keep the deeds, titles and loan or lease agreements. • Taxes: Find out where they keep copies of past year’s tax returns. You’re probably not going to get all this fi gured out in one gathering, so it’s important to keep the conversation going to ensure your parent’s wishes will be accurately executed. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. OBITUARIES Ernest H. “Ernie” LeBlanc Retired Malden Firefi ghter and Malden High Hall of Famer Of Melrose and formerly of Malden. A retired Malden Firefi ghter, military veteran and record-setting Class of 1960 student-athlete at Malden High School, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 5, 2024, at the age of 81. Born on February 11, 1942, he was the son of Ernest J. and Geraldine LeBlanc and former husband of Ruth (MacCuish) LeBlanc. Ernie was born and raised in Malden and was a graduate of Malden High School (Class of 1960). Ernie was an outstanding athlete and was inducted into Malden High School’s Hall of Fame for both individual and team achievements. Ernie was the record-holder for most Varsity Letters earned, ever, at Malden High, with 15 in just three years. He was a key member of the MHS football, basketball, baseball, indoor track and outdoor track teams from 1957-1960, and was a member of the 1960 Malden High State Champion Tech Tourney Basketball Team. Ernie was a member of the Mass. Army National Guard, the Painters Union and the Malden Fire Department for many years. He excelled at his jobs and received many commendations. In addition to his full-time job as a fi refi ghter, Ernie also owned his own house painting business for many years. ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ INVITATION FOR BID CITY OF MALDEN - OFFICE OF THE CONTROLLER The City of Malden invites sealed bids in accordance with M.G.L. Ch. 30, Sec. 39M from Vendors for: 2024 – VALVE TURNING PROGRAM CONTRACT Contract Documents will be available by email request at purchasing@cityofmalden.org after: 10:00 A.M., January 15, 2024. Bidders are requested to email the Controller’s Office their Company Name, Address, Email address, & Phone and what bid they are requesting. Bids must be submitted to the Office of the Controller, 2nd Floor; 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148 by 2:00 P.M. on or before Wednesday February 7, 2024; bids will be publicly opened at this time. All bids must be accompanied by a bid deposit in an amount that is not less than five percent (5%) of the value of the bid. The awarded bidder shall be registered as active on Sam.gov including all vendors and subs working under this contract. Bid deposits, payable to the City of Malden, shall be either in the form of a bid bond, or cash, or a certified check on, or a treasurer’s or cashier’s check issued by, a responsible bank or trust company. Bidders are reminded that the bid deposit covers the City for damages when a bidder withdraws its bid after the bid submission date. Be advised that to the extent permitted by the law the City will retain all bid deposits for withdrawn bids. All bids are subject to the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 30, Section 39M. Wages are subject to minimum wage rates determined by the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Industries pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 149, Sec. 26 to 27H. The schedule of wage rates applicable to this contract is included in the bidding documents. In addition, the prevailing wage schedule will be updated annually for all applicable projects lasting longer than one (1) year. You will be required to pay the rates set out in any updated prevailing wage schedule. Increases in prevailing wage schedules will not be the basis for change order requests. The successful bidder will be required to provide a Certificate of Insurance demonstrating current coverage of the type and amounts set forth in the Project Manual. The successful bidder will be required to furnish both a Labor and Materials Payment Bond in the amount of 50% of the contract total within 10 days of notification of contract award. The costs of any bond and any insurance required in this Invitation for Bid are the responsibility of the bidder; such costs will not be reimbursed by City and should be included in your bid. All City of Malden bids are available by request. Addenda’s will be sent to the contact information provided. The City will reject any and all bids in accordance with the above referenced General Laws. In addition, the City reserves the right to waive minor informalities in any or all bids or to reject any or all bids (in whole or in part) if it be in the public interest to do so. In the event that any person wishes to attend a bid opening or pre-bid meeting, accessible and reasonable accommodations will be provided to persons requiring assistance. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact the city of Malden’s ADA Coordinator, Maria Luise, at least two business days in advance of the meeting: 781-397-7000, Ext. 2005 or mluise@cityofmalden.org. CITY OF MALDEN Office of the Controller January 12, 2024 During his free time, he was an avid golfer and loved skiing and playing softball. By far, his favorite role in life was being a Dad to his children and Papa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ernie is survived by his children Deborah McVicar and her husband Robert, who was also an MHS Hall of Famer, Ernest W. LeBlanc and his wife Barbarann, Russell LeBlanc and his wife Amy, and Sandra Caff arella and her husband Timothy. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Chad, Korili, Tyler, Jordyn, Casey, Kyle, Ryan, Francesca, Sydney and Donny. Ernie was also a beloved and devoted great-grandfather. He also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews and dear friends. He was predeceased by his sister Rosalie OBITUARIES| SEE PAGE 17
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