The Coast Guard has created a guide to support families navigating the complicated process of handling final affairs when a veteran or service member passes.
The U.S. Coast Guard Military Personnel Estate Planning & Final Affairs Handbook will be mailed initially to Coast Guard military retirees and annuitants aged 65 years and older.
This unofficial handbook is designed to put available resources in the hands of survivors who often feel paralyzed and ill-equipped to deal with the time-sensitive, critical matters following their spouse’s death. It covers basic estate planning, legal assistance, advanced and end-of-life care, what to do when a military member dies and assistance while grieving. It also includes a “fillable form” to record personal information and other important estate planning and final affairs items.
The handbook was developed by the CG National Retiree Council (CGNRC) in partnership with the CG Personnel Service Center (PSC), Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety & Work-Life (CG-1K), Assistant Commandant for the Coast Guard Reserve (CG-R) and the Office of Legal Assistance (CG-LAD-L).
In a letter accompanying the guide, Rear Adm. Michael J. “Joe” Raymond notes that the audience for it was broadened to include active-duty and Reserve member since everyone 18 years and older needs a basic estate plan and understanding of managing final affairs. At some point in their career, Raymond writes, “Coast Guard military members will need to care for aging and/or chronically ill parents, other loved ones, manage final affairs and cope with the process of grieving as caregiver and survivor, which are also addressed in this guide.”
Most of the information in the handbook will be useful to Coast Guard Auxiliary members and civilians, as well.
For more information contact Bob Hinds, CG Retiree Services (CG-1M13) at Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil.
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