Just got back from court. Since Dad named me executor of his estate, I had to show up in person. There wasn't much to it. I just answered some questions under oath and signed a couple pieces of paper. Took about 15 minutes.
There is still a lot more I have to do, though. Right now I have to inventory Dad's estate. I have no idea how to do that but the lawyer said he would help me (for a fee, of course).
I visited Mom as well. I haven't seen her since she broke her arm. She looks like she has aged since that time. I see it in her face. She is also having memory issues. She is very aware of this and it bothers her.
She talked to me about taking over all of her financial stuff. She offered to pay me a monthly amount if I quit my job and just took over everything. I'm seriously considering this. She has left all her money to my sister and I anyway so it all comes out in the wash.
If I start drawing 401k stuff it wouldn't really take much to maintain my current lifestyle. Health insurance is a biggie, though. Geez, it is expensive.
I think the main thing preventing me from doing this is guilt and fear. The guilt is I feel like I'm sponging off Mom. I talked to my sister about this and she doesn't feel that way at all. In fact, she is strongly encouraging me to do this. The fear is not having the security knowing I have a paycheck (job) coming regularly.
However, I really need to start getting involved with Mom's finances. She is slowly losing the ability to manage them and honestly, at her age, someone should take this off her plate. Plus, she isn't going to be around forever and I will have to deal with it eventually.
Making a change like this is really difficult for me.