AGING ICON

June’s Story. Legacy Requires Intention and Protection!

June’s story is one I return to often, because it captures both the beauty of aging with intention and the risks that arise when important details are left unchecked. June had lived a rich, adventurous life. She was a world traveler, a lover of art and antiques, and one of the first women pilots to fly out of Floyd Bennett Field during World War II. By the time I met her, her life had slowed, but her clarity had not. She understood what she could no longer do on her own and accepted help without resistance, something many people struggle with as they age.

June found joy in simple, meaningful things, such as reading, watching television, enjoying good meals, and engaging in conversation. When an optical stroke took away her ability to read, she adapted with audiobooks. When her vision continued to deteriorate and she could no longer enjoy the life she valued, she made a deliberate and peaceful decision to stop fighting. June was not afraid of death and knew it was time. Hospice was arranged, and she passed quietly at home, on her own terms.

What followed after June’s death, however, revealed a painful and avoidable reality.

After she passed, June’s stepdaughter, who had been her power of attorney for years and responsibly managing her affairs, went to the bank to settle the estate, arrange funeral expenses, and begin closing accounts. Her intention was not personal gain. She wanted to properly wind down June’s affairs and provide a meaningful financial gift to the aide who had lovingly cared for June for years. Instead, she received devastating news. All of June’s accounts, both savings and investment accounts, had “payment on death” designations naming a former boyfriend as the beneficiary. The boyfriend was no longer involved in June’s life and had since gone on Medicaid. As a result, the funds automatically transferred to the City. Nothing could be reversed. Despite regular visits to the bank and long-standing relationships, no one had flagged the outdated beneficiary designations or suggested they be reviewed. The money was gone.

June’s story underscores a critical and often misunderstood truth: beneficiary designations supersede wills, powers of attorney, and even the best intentions. Without ongoing review, these designations can quietly undermine even the most carefully managed plans.

In the end, the stepdaughter was left to manage what she could. We arranged for June’s apartment to be carefully emptied, selling valuable antiques, artwork, and collectibles. While it was not what June would have wanted, it allowed us to cover necessary expenses and offer a small but heartfelt financial thank-you to the aide who had been such an important part of June’s final years.

Key Takeaways from June’s Story

• Aging well requires both acceptance and vigilance
• Financial oversight must be active and ongoing, not assumed
• Beneficiary designations should be reviewed whenever life circumstances change
• Institutions do not always prompt necessary updates, you must ask
• Caregivers play a vital role and deserve recognition

June aged with dignity, clarity, and courage. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that planning for aging isn’t just about how we live, but about what we leave behind, and whether our intentions are truly protected.

January 11, 2026 Posted by Aging Icon | Uncategorized | books, business, Elder Law Attorney, fiction, health, life, seniors, writing | Leave a comment