Your opinion on how to divide estate in will
mom23step23
15 years ago
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kkny
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
How to probate an estate?
Comments (17)Well it's been a while, but I thought I'd give an update if anyone's interested... This afternoon my brother and I go to the lawyer to sign the petition for judgement of possession, the descriptive list, and the waiver of the final accounting. I went over to my brother's last night and showed him exactly everything I've paid for over the last few weeks (final funeral expenses, my grandma's last household and credit card bills, etc.) I gave him a detailed spreadsheet that listed every penny, and showed the balances in all accounts after expenses are paid and what his share should be based on the percentages stipulated in the will. He was OK with everything, but I wanted to be sure he knew that everything has been above board and on the level. I also wanted him to see exactly what his share would be so he wouldn't be surprised at the lawyer's office by anything. So.....after we sign everything today, the lawyer should immediately file all documents with the court and all we have to wait for is the judge to sign off. Everything has been done by the book and there are only a few accounts and my grandmother had all of her records very organized. Everything should be pretty straightforward and easy for the judge to follow, so there shouldn't be any problems. The lawyer told me the judge usually signs off in about a week, so hopefully by the end of next week at the latest, this will all be finished. I am just very glad there have been relatively few problems and arguments. Although my brother was angry at first since my grandmother left a larger share to me, he's calmed downed and I guess he's realized she left him and his daughter sizable gifts. He isn't going to want to delay the process so that he can get ownership of his share. And he can't blame me, since it was my grandmother's decision of what she wanted to leave to whom--not mine. This has been a lot of work! None of it was really difficult, but I found that keeping separate folders (1 for info on all the assets, such as bank statements, car title, investment account statement, deed to house; and 1 for all bills paid after death) have really helped me to keep things in order. I have a little tote bag that I keep all of the documents in, including death certs, official administration letters, copy of the will, etc., that I bring with me to work every day. That has been a huge help as if I've had to talk with someone on the phone or go meet with someone, I've had all the info right at my fingertips. This has mostly been about keeping good records and getting tons of things signed and mailed to various people. I can't imagine how much work it is for big complex estates or when the deceased didn't keep good records! Keeping fingers crossed everything is smooth sailing!...See MoreYour opinion please...?
Comments (18)Ellisa, The problem is not that the house has so many features. Gosh, you've got to put something in 15,000 s.f. so it might as well be a wine cellar, right? The problem is the mismash of architectural styles. Pick one...Spanish, French, Italian, English. There's something in that house from each style. They do not make a cohesive whole. It just looks ridiculous. There's also a quality issue. I've made so many thousands of residential construction loans that I can spot quality from half a block away. This home's finishes are barely above semi-custom grade. That's inappropriate to the grandeur of scale the builder was apparently trying to create. Unfortunately, it's something one sees a lot in the US. We tend to increase square footage at the expense of quality. This particular home's lack of quality (flooring, textures, millwork, etc.) is visible even in the small realtor pixs. Quality is something not easy to describe but you'll know it when you see it, touch it, run your hand over the surfaces, etc. It's like buying a new suit. I can spot the most expensive 100% silk suit while I'm still on the escalator. Once you know & understand what quality is supposed to be you can't ever be fooled again. The knowledge is somewhat transferable from one subject area to another also. Learn what a fine original 17th century Chippendale chair is & you'll be able to spot an equally fine Brilliant Period cut-glass decanter. This poor house is trying to pretend it's aristocratic &, unfortunately, it's lack of pure bloodlines shows! :) The current owners of this house don't 'get it'. Look at the furnishing visible in the pictures. They are out of scale to their surroundings. This is a LARGE home yet the furniture is scaled for normal surroundings. The result is that what's there is lost in the air space. This home requires huge 10' tall case pieces, large heavy framed artwork that commands a sense of importance, look at the last picture...that round table...it should be at least 2-3 times that size. The entire spaces just look wrong, wrong, wrong. I understand that one is not purchasing the furnishings. My point is that because it's furnished so inappropriately the home's other flaws jump right into my eyes! I possibly would not have noticed the tacky entrance hall had it been furnished to match its scale. Surely, there's better value for the buck somewhere in the area?! This home will not age gracefully taking on the patina that quality exudes. In 40 years it's gonna look just like a humongous 40 year old track house. :( /tricia...See MoreDoes anyone have a Kohler Smart Divide Sink or have an opinion?
Comments (4)I decided on getting the new Vault, which is also Smart Divide. We wash a lot of dishes by hand, so I need two sides, and I like all the accessories that Kohler has, like the dish drain/rack. I do a lot of cleaning in the kitchen by filling one side with dish soap and clorox, using a dish towel to wipe everything down. Having two bowls lets me do that easier and faster..... ....and having that lower bridge in the middle means if I forget and leave the water on, I won't flood the entire kitchen.... ...not like that has ever happened! LOL...See MoreOpinions Plz: How often do you take a hard look at your home?
Comments (71)Interesting thread. How often do I take a hard look at my home? Frequently, however that doesn't mean I do much, or anything, about it. I can relate to what stephf said and often play the game of "what would I change if I lived here" in other people's houses but also play âÂÂwhat could I change to improve my worldâ in my own. Most of the time I only change out accessories without buying anything new as have enough to rotate items. I satisfy my need for change by decorating seasonally. I'm not using as many accessories as I used to and my seasonal decor is much more subtle but there are changes to more seasonal colors. Now that it's fall I'm using accessories with fall colors, more natural and wooden items, and a few faux pumpkins/Jack-O-Lanterns. A few years ago we repainted and bought new upholstery with neutral colors so this works well. After many years of trial and error and sometimes not liking my house much I am finally happy with most of my choices and there's not much I want to change right now. When I move (likely in the next couple of years) I will be ready to buy all new upholstered items and will then change my color scheme and perhaps style. I'm a senior but will likely never stop changing things around in my house. I have never changed out everything all at once in 47 years. Have added and eliminated but never decorated from a clean slate. The only time I decorated 'from scratch' was when we moved to Europe for 3 years and bought almost everything new and a few things 2nd hand. Sold everything before we returned home as I had no attachment to any of it. I much prefer to collect over time and let my decor evolve as it will. Some of my old pieces have good memories such as pieces that belonged to DH's and my Grandmothers. I buy several new accessories every year, mostly handmade art pieces now. I have downsized and re-homed many items in recent years and continue to do this. I sell the better things thru a consignment shop and donate the rest to thrift stores. We had this house built 17 years ago and it now looks completely different from the way it did when we moved in. Different color walls, different flooring, different furniture. While I like to think I don't change things often my decor has definitely evolved over time. It has happened so gradually I have never realized until now how different it looks. I still have the same DR furniture, a chair that was DH's Grandmother's, and a small antique sideboard but everything else in the public areas has been acquired since we built. Only the upholstered furniture was purchased new, everything else is antique, vintage, or repurposed. I still have many of the same accessories but also many different ones, purchased new as well as from 2nd hand venues. Realistically I expect my house will continue to evolve subtly and will look quite different 10 years from now....See Morekkny
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