<p>So much great information here. Thank you all! I’m a bit concerned about leaving social security numbers and credit card account numbers out in the open (taped to the fridge). Sounds like the flash key might be a good alternative since strangers wouldn’t know to look for one-- of course, neither would an EMT in an emergency. I’ve got a lot to take care of-- including my own affairs. H. and I have put off consulting an estate attorney long enough. </p>
<p>As far as whether anyone’s kid has been through the loss of a loved one during freshman year of college, my eldest S. did. The same week that we dropped him off at college freshman year, FIL called from Florida, in complete hysterics over the loss of electricity from a hurricane. A relative put him on a plane to our house and within a week of his arrival, we discovered he had a terminal disease. The next eight months were grueling for us all. Eventually, he passed away just prior to S’s spring finals and we had to fly S. home and back to school in short order. Not an easy year for any of us, including younger S. who may just have been looking forward to being the center of our universe with older sibling away at school, but never got the chance.</p>