Page 18 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 OBITUARIES Frank D. “Sonny” Rao Important Legal Documents All Seniors Should Have Dear Savvy Senior, What kinds of legal documents do I need to prepare to help my family after I’m gone? I would like to get my aff airs in order but could use some help. Almost 75 Dear Almost, All adults – especially seniors – should have at least four essential legal documents to protect yourself and your family. These documents will make sure your wishes regarding your estate are legal and clear and will help minimize any confl icts and confusion with your family and your health care providers if you become seriously ill or when you die. Here are the key documents you need, along with some tips to help you create them. Will: This document lets you spell out your wishes of how you’d like your property and assets distributed after you die, whether it’s to family, friends or a charity. It also allows you to designate an executor to ensure your wishes are carried out and allows you to name guardians if you have dependent children. In addition to a will, if you own real estate or have considerable assets, another option you may want to consider is a “revocable living trust.” This functions like a will but allows your estate to avoid the time and expense of probate (the public legal process that examines your estate after you die) and helps ensure your estate’s privacy. Durable Power of Attorney: This allows you to designate someone you trust to handle your fi nancial matters if you become incapacitated. Advanced Health Care Directive: This includes two documents that spell out your wishes regarding your end-of-life medical treatment. The two documents are a “living will” which tells your doctor what kind of care you want to receive if you become incapacitated, and a “health care power of attorney” (or health care proxy), which names a person you authorize to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable. You should also consider making a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR) as part of your advance directive, since advanced directives do little to protect you from unwanted emergency care like CPR. To create a DNR, ask your doctor to fi ll out a state appropriate form and sign it. Do-It-Yourself If you have a simple estate and an uncomplicated family situation, there are do-it-yourself resources that can help you create all these documents for very little money. Some options to consider include Quicken WillMaker & Trust 2020 software (available at Nolo.com) that costs $90 and works with Windows and Macs and is valid in every state except Louisiana. And LegalZoom.com, which off ers an estate plan with professional legal guidance with an independent attorney for $179. Get Help If, however, you want or need assistance or if you have a complicated fi nancial situation, blended family or have considerable assets, you should hire an attorney. An experienced lawyer can make sure you cover all your bases – especially when writing a will or living trust – which can help avoid family confusion and squabbles after you’re gone. Costs will vary depending on where you reside, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $500 and $2,000 for a basic estate plan that includes a will, power of attorney and advance directive. If you want your estate plan to include a living trust, that can run anywhere between $1,500 and $5,000. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA.org) and the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC.org) are two good resources that have directories on their websites to help you fi nd someone in your area. If money is tight, check with your state’s bar association (see www.FindLegalHelp.org) to fi nd low-cost legal help in your area. Or call the Eldercare Locater at 800-677-1116 for a referral. 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. VISIT US TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN DO RIGHT BY YOUR BUSINESS 419 BROADWAY, EVERETT MA 02149 | 617. 387. 1110 771 SALEM ST, LYNNFIELD, MA 01940 | 78 1.776 . 4444 Member FDIC Member SIF EVERETTBANK. COM Of Revere, passed away on March 5, 2020 at the age of 82. He was happily married for 60 years to the love of his life, Carolyn (Overlan) Rao. Sonny is survived by his beloved children, Denise Rao Monaghan and husband Jim of Hopkinton, Daniel Rao and Fiancé Michele Solimine of Middleton, Dean Rao and wife and Karen of North Reading; his grandchildren, Taylor, Brooke, Carolyn and Allison. A barber in Boston and Malden for over 50 years, Sonny retired at 75 years old. Sonny will be most remembered for his warm heart and joyful disposition. He had simple pleasures that included tending to his tomato and eggplant garden at “Big Sky Ranch;” enjoying the views of North Shore beaches with Carolyn; and sharing meals and conversations with his family. His family cherishes the stories of his early days “hustling a buck” shining shoes in East Boston and selling fruit from the pushcarts in Boston’s North End. In lieu of fl owers, donations can be made to ipffoundatieon.org/donate/. William Irving “Billy” Hazel It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, of William “Billy” Irving Hazel aged 76. He died of complications from heart surgery in Del Ray Beach, Florida where he resided for the last few years. William was born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1943 in Revere to the late Arthur Irving Hazel and Mary Frances Hazel of Revere. Billy graduated from Revere High School in 1962. After graduation, he was drafted to Vietnam where he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Upon returning to the United States, his brother Jackie helped his younger brother get a job where he began his long career as a civil engineer with Massachusetts’s Public Works. He was a longtime member of the Winthrop Golf Club and Salem Country Club. Billy will be remembered as “Tootsie” by many of his closest friends for his colorful outfi ts and style. There was no color off the table when it came to his wardrobe, the brighter the better, including his socks and hats. He always looked dapper where-ever he went always showing up early to gatherings never wanting to miss the action. Billy started most conversations with a new joke which he loved to share to get friends and family laughing. He truly enjoyed his social life with close friends, his longtime companion Susan, golfing, weekly Saturday lunches in the North End with his compadres, and many trips to Saratoga and Florida Super Bowl celebrations. He was extremely proud of his children enjoying many holiday gatherings together with them. As his family grew, he enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events to cheer them on. The last few years, his health had started to decline, making it more diffi cult to stay active. He leaves behind his loving companion of many years, Susan Perry. Loving father to Michael Hazel, Lucille Freddo and her husband Domenic, Marc Hazel and his wife, Heather and their wonOBITUARIES | SEE PAGE 19 RIGHT BY YOU RIGHT BY YOU BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT JOE BONO owner of THE BERRY TAVERN, AL DENTE, BENEVENTO’S, AND BENCOTTO OVER 20 YEARS OF BANKING WITH EVERETT BANK “I can be myself and they can be themselves. Regular people doing business the right way.”
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