For many years, my husband and I were the primary caregivers for both of my parents. As their health declined, especially after my mom required 24-hour, hands-on care, our household income and daily life became centered around caregiving. While this care was compensated, it required full availability and left little room to pursue additional career opportunities or long-term financial planning outside of caregiving responsibilities.

With the recent passing of both of my parents, that caregiving income has ended, and we are now navigating a number of after-life responsibilities and expenses that were not fully covered by life insurance. These include probate and legal fees, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and necessary home repairs and maintenance required to responsibly prepare the property for sale. In addition, there is an outstanding balance on the home due to a reverse mortgage, which adds complexity and time-sensitive requirements to the estate process. While the home will ultimately need to be sold, it must be maintained, insured, kept current on taxes, and legally handled through probate before that can happen. These expenses are unavoidable and come at a time of sudden income loss and transition after years of full-time caregiving.

Our goal is to handle everything properly, legally, and with care, without rushing decisions or risking further financial hardship while we work to stabilize and move forward. Asking for help does not come easily. This fundraiser is not meant as a handout, but as temporary support during a period of transition — to help cover required estate, legal, and home-related expenses while we regroup after loss and rebuild financially. Any support, whether through a donation or by sharing this page, is deeply appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read and for offering kindness during this chapter of our lives. With sincere gratitude, Heather & Family