On Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 12:12:38 PM UTC-4, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
Every will I have seen so far contains boiler plate to the effect that
the executor is directed to immediately pay all medical expenses.

Seems counter-intuitive to me. Why not directives to pay all
lawn-maintenance expenses? All utility bills?... and so-forth.

What is so special about medical expenses - except for the potential for
a feeding frenzy by caregivers plus the huge difference between
insurance/Medicare payments and actual charges?

Seems like a bad idea on the face of it.

What am I missing.
--
Pete Cresswell

I just happen to have Quicken Will Maker on my PC. Just took a
look and they have nothing specific to medical expenses. It just
directs the executor to pay all debts and expenses consistent with
NJ law. I agree with your assessment, I don't see any good reason
to give priority to medical debt over any other debt. I don't recall
seeing that in my previous wills either. It's probably
not even legal. If you only have $20K in net worth, why should it
all go to medical expenses, versus being shared among all legitimate
debts? I would think the other creditors could sue and win. There
is probably some state law that governs that executors have to
proceed fairly, equitably under that circumstance.