Dying Well

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I am of an age where end of life decisions are being considered and worked out, and accordingly I am working through my Advanced Care Directive with the assistance of respected advisers and my current GP.

For those who do not know what one of these things are, it is a question and answer package the Ministry of Health provides on its website, anyone can access it and print it out for their own use, and it covers a range of health questions, including but not only end of life wishes.

It doesn't though have any legal standing, and there are a number of examples where someone's Directive has been ignored or set aside for various reasons, which is a problem that has to be solved.

So I was interested to read this piece in Newsroom this morning, which suggests maybe at long last these will receive some kind of legislative support, if only at a very general level...

https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/08/22/urgent...1756061698

[Lilith7]

Much as it pains me - I agree with David Seymour on this. Perhaps this needs wider publicity, & making a will should be more accessible.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

The Directive is pretty accessible, download, print off, sign, copy to your doc. At least it is until some corporate gets hold of it and charges $300 to hold it for us, as they do with very basic property wills...

But a formal register would be a very good idea. So long as it too is free.

[Lilith7]

That would make good sense, sounds like Fair Go territory.
Not sure if they're still around these days.


You'd think that, with having a will being so important they'd be free to make.

[harm_less]

That would make good sense, sounds like Fair Go territory.
Not sure if they're still around these days.


You'd think that, with having a will being so important they'd be free to make.

You do realise that if something is free that usually equates closely to its real worth? And what point is there in having a worthless will?

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Hey... fresh air is still free...

And wills are free, if estates are very small. Write it out, take it to a JP (libraries usually have one attending regularly), with your witnesses or borrow a couple at the time, and bingo, legal, and free...

[Agent_24]

Hey... fresh air is still free...

What fresh air? Co2 levels have risen from 320ppm to 420ppm since 1959 and the graph appears to be accelerating...

[Oh_hunnihunni]

A little co2 is good for us. Sparks the lungs into taking deeper breaths, lol...

And it is lovely in my fizzy water.

[Lilith7]

That would make good sense, sounds like Fair Go territory.
Not sure if they're still around these days.


You'd think that, with having a will being so important they'd be free to make.

You do realise that if something is free that usually equates closely to its real worth? And what point is there in having a worthless will?

I don't think it's a bad idea, especially when its a small estate, & especially when you consider what happens whan someone dies withoiut having made one; there can be all kinds of delays & chaos which must be quite difficult for the families.

[amrist]

citizens advice is a good starting point, for what steps to take. dare I say FREE