Are the bereaved badly treated by banks and businesses?
HUNTER DAVIES is right about the financial and legal faffing around when someone dies (Mail). I’m 84 and my husband died last April, aged 90. Like Mr Davies I had not bargained for the amount of paperwork, decisions, meetings and arrangements I would have to deal with. Everything my husband and I did through life was 50/50. We had funeral plans, power of attorney and a housekeeping account and car insurance in joint names. The day after he died, I was told that I had to re-tax the car or could be fined for driving illegally, and also had to change the insurance. I couldn’t believe the pressure that banks and financial companies put on a bereaved person when I had just lost a loving husband. The paperwork when one is grieving is unbelievable. Nearly 12 months later, I’m still struggling with my income tax. Will it never end?
Name supplied, Glos. HUNTER DAVIES’S article has given me great comfort. I
lost my wonderful husband in February 2016. He did almost everything for me. Yes, I cooked, but he liked to have a go; he shared the washing and the housework. He saw to all the bills and any problems. When I lost him, there was a great void in my life. I am blessed with good children who live locally. I don’t socialise any longer. I love my garden and can’t wait for the better weather. Yes, I love fine dining and wine, but it’s not the same eating alone. I talk to my husband’s photos especially when cooking. We hoped to spend many more twilight years together, but that was not to be. Good luck to Hunter Davies. Mrs B. M. BUTLER, Appleby, Cumbria. I’VE HEARD of cases of widows having to trail around in wheelchairs trying to get accounts changed because the banks are useless and obstructive. I’ve seen utilities and the leading car breakdown outfits increase premiums and annual subscriptions to ludicrous amounts for people who have never claimed in 50 years. They seem to think: ‘Daft little old lady — we’ll rip her off.’ Not to mention conmen and spivs who ring up and try to take advantage of someone in distress. Well, shame on them all. Do your jobs, help people in their time of need and as for the scammers, they should go straight to jail — if not to hell! C. SIMONS, Birmingham.