Items to Inherit

Dressed in the appropriate black attire, I walked into my mother's attorney's office and waited for the rest of my siblings. Two of my brothers has passed on before me, but I would shortly be joined by my younger sister and twin brother. We all knew that mother's estate was not large, but we were still interested in what we would be inheriting. Personally, I didn't really want anything. I wanted my mother back. Nevertheless, deep down, I knew she was in a better place.

My twin brother walked through the door and sat down beside me. He had always been the tender hearted one in the family. He missed our mother deeply, even more so than I. He reached for my hand and I noticed his trembling. Once again the door opened and my sister walked in. The secretary let the attorney know we had all arrived. Moments later we were ushered into his office.

He opened a thin file and began to read. "....being of sound mind....leave all my worldly possessions to the Salvation Army with the exception of the following:" This startled me. How could she do this. So caught up in my own thoughts, I missed the rest of the codicil. My twin seemed pleased, my sister disappointed. I asked the attorney to repeat himself. I still lay open inside from shock.

While this scenario is fictitious, more often is the case not uncommon. One of the most important pieces of advice I could give regarding your death would be "Let your family know before you die, who you are planning to appoint as executor." In my first article, I mentioned the idea of putting together a binder with all your information to be opened upon your passing. I would like to expound on that a little more. The binder should be kept in a place where you and your executor have access - a safety deposit box is a good suggestion. Inside the binder should be AT LEAST 3 items: your will (a living will is recommended as well), your insurance policies, and a phone book or directory.

Attached to your will should be instructions to the executor. These can be your own personal words of requests. Write these with as much love as you can because chances are (unless your executor is someone outside your family) the person reading is going to be deeply hurting and missing you. While some families may have hundreds of thousands of dollars to distribute, others may only have a cherished set of china. Your instructions to the executor should be clear and very concise. Make sure that your words to your family are loving and kind but keep in your own character. If you are mushy and overly affectionate in your words, when in life you were more blunt, your children will not understand and problems may arise. The reason I mention a living will is because so many hospitals require it these days. For those of you not familiar with a living will, it is a document instructing the hospital of your wishes not to be kept on machines to prolong your life.

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