Adminstrative Rights

[Cynthia Scheepstra]

When a loved one goes missing, life and business must go on.I have a wonderful attorney that helped me get Administrative Rights. This enables me to make business decisions regarding joint property that Ron and I have.
I am in the process of combining our mortgage and a home improvement loan and refinancing for as long a period as possible. Instead of paying 2 notes, I will hopefully have 1 lower note that I can pay off when I am able to get a Presumptive Death Certificate and life insurance benefits.

My attorney tells me we are going forward with the request for a Presumptive Death Finding from the State Department...even though they have ignored her requests for the packet necessary to file this request for 6 months!

I have a few words of advice from what I have learned over the past 19 months..
1. Be the "squeaky wheel" email,call and enlist friends and family to ask for assistance from Senators, Congressmen and State Representatives. Contact local media. Try to build a rapport with a reporter that will get your story out there...even on the local level. The more people made aware of what is going on the better.

2. Network with others that are going through the same struggles...just like here on MAP
this has been a lifesaver for me

3.Even when things look bleak...don't give up. There are periods of time when nothing seems to be progressing and then all of a sudden things start to happen. Be thankful even for the small victories.

4.Know that there are many others out there going through the same nightmare...reach out to them...you can help each other...share knowledge, experiences...things you might not have thought about that would be of help to you.

5. Take care of yourself. Get enough rest and exercise. Have some quiet time to meditate, pray,rest your mind...This is very important!....

Hope this helps someone...would love your feedback and suggestions!

Cindy

[Sherry Rush]

Well said Cindy. You have handled this issue with grace and strength. I don't know if I could be as strong as you have been. What amazes me most are the people who continue to go to Mexico after I have told them your story. Why do we humans think that we are invincible? It is beyond me. Anyway, love you bunches.
sherry

[Jeff Dunsavage]

Great news, Cindy. I strongly recommend that you get your Senators involved in your efforts to get a presumptive death finding - and let them know that Sen. Menendez (NJ) is working on the same thing on our behalf. It's a numbers game - not just to get what we want for our own families but to bring about real change on behalf of future families who find themselves in our situation.

Jeff