On death and dying and the aftermath

[OVERKILL]

As I get ready to leave middle age in the rear view mirror, I realize when I die, especially if it were soonish and sudden, what I left behind would be a mess. My mother died last year, and was incredibly organized, down to having an envelope full of money for her own funeral as well as having picked out and bought her own tomb stone in advance. She had no debt, and made her checking account POD to me. Sorting things after she passed was still incredibly complex and annoying in all the legal documents and fees required, even though I was her sole heir, she had very little, and nothing was contested. Myself? I have no heirs, and my finances, while fine, are best described as "Byzantine". I also have land, a home, lots of other stuff, some paid off, some financed. I have no clue where or how it would be dispersed or who could even do that, except the few things TODing to my father, who himself is in his 70s. Where is a good place to start with all this, and is something like a will going to cover it all? It seems a bit of a 800# gorilla.

Best of luck with this. I've got 3x kids, so it's a fair bit more complicated, and I'm one of 4x kids of parents with a considerable estate, which is also complicated. I agree with the sentiment of getting a professional involved, that's your best option.

 

[JeffKeryk]

On a side note, my Mother told me it is better to help people when they need it, because if you wait until you die it might be too late.

I have found it can also bring profound happiness.

 

[k1xv]

Indeed, if you were going to leave something to someone when you die, it is better to gift it to them now, especially if it satisfies a non frivolous need. For example, I have set up 529 plans for four kids, two of which are only a year old. I also bailed out my deceased God daughter's family by paying off the medical bills not covered by insurance during her final illness.

 

[maggie06]

Who wants my guns?

Never ever get rid of your guns! Take them with you