Repeated requests for death certificate irks widower

Q. My wife recently passed away at our local hospital. She was on life support for three days. After she passed, I started receiving hospital bills from the same hospital. I know I am not liable for her bills since they are in her name alone, but I just think it’s ridiculous that I still need to send a copy of the death certificate when they already know she passed away. Any thoughts?

A. You should understand that if the hospital has not been paid for your wife’s treatment, it is going to be looking to you or anybody else who might have the ability to partially or completely pay her bills.

You say you’re not liable for her bills since they are in her name only. That’s possible, but please don’t think it’s ridiculous that people who are owed money will go to good lengths to collect. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It’s business, not personal. Send a copy of the death certificate as requested.

Q. I heard that Mr. Trump doesn’t take his presidential salary for his services. Can you tell me where that money goes? Does he donate it to charity?

A. This is a pretty simple transaction. Mr. Trump can designate where the money will go that he returns to the government for his services. He can donate the money to a fund specifically set up for that purpose and the administrators of that fund will spend the money as he directs. He has donated his salary so far to the Interior Department and the Education Department. It has not been donated to a charity.

Q. My boyfriend lost his job a few months ago and has used his savings and credit cards to live off of. He is in the process of filing for bankruptcy.

He has about $50,000 in equity in his home. Is there any product he can get to use this money to pay bills (home equity line, refinancing)? Keep in mind that he still doesn’t have a job and is having trouble finding one.

A. Unless your boyfriend has a horrible credit history, there is no reason he can’t get a mortgage with a legitimate $50,000 equity in his home. But (and it’s a big but!) if his credit is bad, he may have to pay a substantial amount of money in interest and fees.

In terms of choosing to pay a high interest rate or going bankrupt, it’s a no-brainier: Choose the high interest rate. Keep in mind that he doesn’t have to have a job, but when he does find one, he should let the lender know. That may make a difference in the interest rate, or may even allow him to recast it, which would be very much to his advantage.

Send questions to bruce@brucewilliams.com. Questions of general interest will be answered in future columns. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.

2017 United Feature Syndicate

Distributed by Andrews MMmeel Syndication for UFS