Dr. Synthia Michelle Doaks

Kweku’s Korner

By Dr. Synthia Michelle Doaks

There is a silent, soul-wrenching burden that often falls on one child when aging or ailing parents begin the process of end-of-life care. It is the “responsible” child who is appointed power of attorney, executor of the will, trustee, or healthcare surrogate. On paper, these roles seem like honors—symbols of trust and responsibility. In reality, they are overwhelming positions that demand more time, emotional labor, financial precision, and moral fortitude than most people prepare for.

Being the “appointed” child means being on call for every decision, from medical emergencies to property sales, funeral arrangements, navigation of a trust, and financial settlements. It means learning legalese overnight, interpreti

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