I would like to help my friends, if I can; two of them are individually dealing with incredibly stressful and sad health-related situations related to their parents. [more inside]
posted by taz on Aug 8, 2009 - 7 answers

I have a friend with a possibly terminal illness. I'm trying to figure out a way to set up a college fund, to which any of her friends/family could contribute, for her two young children. So far I've looked into ESAs (might not work due to the $2k annual limit) and 529s, but I've had trouble finding information specific to this type of situation -- which I have to imagine is not all that uncommon. What options should I be investigating? Should I talk to a financial advisor?
posted by mingshan on Mar 13, 2008 - 16 answers

A co-worker has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Treatments have stopped and Hospice is now involved. He is 61 years old and has been working at the company for 40 years. We are an engineering firm and most of the employees are kind of... well... not the type to try (self-start) and do something for our co-worker of his family. I was wondering if there was anything I could do and/or have the office do to help, comfort, etc Obviously sending 'get well' cards is out of the question. ... I just don't know what it is appropriate. Any ideas? Thanks.
posted by KogeLiz on Jan 21, 2008 - 20 answers

Suppose you have a terminal illness, and only have a few months to live. What's to keep you from running up huge credit card bills. Can the creditors make the next of kin pay up?
posted by jpoulos on Jul 17, 2006 - 31 answers