Before my husband's death, I thought we had our affairs in order.

For the past eight years — since my husband's Alzheimer's diagnosis — I have been managing all our finances.

When he was diagnosed, we had immediately set in place enduring powers of attorney and guardianship arrangements, as well as ensuring that all utilities and bank accounts were in joint names.

I am overwhelmed now not just with grief — that is bad enough — but with a nightmare of administration.

He already had a straightforward will, leaving everything to me, and he had always dutifully signed superannuation documents to say I was to inherit his super after his death.

Seems as if we had everything in place, doesn't it? That's what I thought — until he died two months ago.