There are a number of older folks here and as I climb closer to the top of that ladder, I just wonder if others have considered writing a final letter with requests and thoughts.

What to do with your remains, the contents of you home, final thoughts of people close to you, where your money is squirreled away and what to do with it....

Just curious I guess. Odd things that I think about from time to time.

Should I compose one, or just let shit happen...as it does, and life goes on...

You mean a will?

Yes, you need a will.

You're describing a will. Did you mean something other than a formal one?

“What to do with your remains, the contents of you home, final thoughts of people close to you, where your money is squirreled away and what to do with it....”

I set up a trust that specifies all of that, and more. It owns all of my assets, but I’m the administrator.

On my demise the trust department of my bank will liquidate my physical assets. Then my will specifies a parentage of total assets to each of my legates.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
You're describing a will. Did you mean something other than a formal one?

If you have a will, then anything else informal will be redundant and useless. The will has a much better chance standing up to legal challenges than some informal note, imo.

I have instructed my wife to do whatever is cheapest. Dump me out the back of the car on a secluded highway is okay. LOL

I don't care because if there is no afterlife then it's just a body. If there is an afterlife, well, then it's just a body.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
I have instructed my wife to do whatever is cheapest. Dump me out the back of the car on a secluded highway is okay. LOL

I don't care because if there is no afterlife then it's just a body. If there is an afterlife, well, then it's just a body.

I was thinking about selling my body to science. I heard a story of lady who sold herself to science for a couple thousand bucks and she ended up being sold to the military and blown up on a bomb range. That sounds kinda cool.

I've had a talk with the person listed as executor in the Living Trust and accompanied "pourover" will. They know where I keep a fire resistant box with living trust, living will, pourover will, where my accounts are located, etc.

I did a major rework of everything when I moved to current location and next major update will probably be when I retire in ~2.5 years. The last update, I utilized an estate planning attorney that JHE recommended and he had a list of items to consider. For example, one of those questions lead me to adding some money to living trust for food and vet for anybody who adopted one of my pets.

In addition to a will, all of the pertinent info can be put together here

https://www.thenokbox.com/?tw_...lEAAYASAAEgKUS_D_BwE

Something like BigSwede's suggestion is required. A will isn't going to tell anyone about what life insurance policies exist, where the bank accounts are, safety deposit boxes, online passwords...

You don't just need a will. A probate court will almost certainly need a catalogue of your physical assets. You will do your heirs a massive favor if you leave them a list of all bank accounts, insurance policies, military records (for pensions), etc. and tell them where to find titles to any vehicles (even the raunched-out ones) and land. If you really want to do your heirs a solid, have all of your documents in organized files and make sure your heirs know where they are.

We went with a living trust with all that detail, but it also includes what will happen if you are incapacitated, too.

MORE DETAIL is better. It makes the job much easier for the folks who survive you and have to clean up this mess.

I've thought about doing that, yeah. Things like the combination to the gun safe, computer passwords, mortgage and vehicle title locations, bank/IRA/insurance information, stuff like that.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
You don't just need a will. A probate court will almost certainly need a catalogue of your physical assets. You will do your heirs a massive favor if you leave them a list of all bank accounts, insurance policies, military records (for pensions), etc. and tell them where to find titles to any vehicles (even the raunched-out ones) and land. If you really want to do your heirs a solid, have all of your documents in organized files and make sure your heirs know where they are.

My father did the same thing, and it made an incredible difference.

In addition to his estate documents, he created a detailed guide on how to care for my mother. It covered everything—from selling her house, where he wanted her to move, what to do with her car, and how to manage her finances. He also included a complete list of every account, along with usernames and passwords, so nothing was left to guesswork.

He even had his firearms organized, with all the required ATF paperwork completed, so all I had to do was take possession.

Looking back, that binder was invaluable. It made managing everything much less overwhelming during a difficult time. Today, my mother is happily living in the community he chose near me, and as her power of attorney, I can honestly say his planning made the transition so much easier.

If you have the opportunity, leave your family more than just a will. Leave them a roadmap.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
You don't just need a will. A probate court will almost certainly need a catalogue of your physical assets. You will do your heirs a massive favor if you leave them a list of all bank accounts, insurance policies, military records (for pensions), etc. and tell them where to find titles to any vehicles (even the raunched-out ones) and land. If you really want to do your heirs a solid, have all of your documents in organized files and make sure your heirs know where they are.

^^^This. There are two envelopes in my safe.

One has financial data re: savings/checking accounts and an IRA. How to notify Social Security, what to do about my Navy Pension and VA benefits. My Marine grandson is executor, so he'll be able to navigate the bureaucracy.

The other is personal requests/advice. What boards to notify that I've assumed room temperature. Suggestions as to what to do about a memorial and my remains. The gist of it is don't waste money on things like obits, caskets, burial plots or monuments unless doing so will ease your grief (assuming anybody misses me...)

We'll miss ya, shipmate.

Glad to see the rooster is back.

Yeah, no obits here. Anyone who needs or wants to know that I croaked already does. And I do not want a wake. Who wants everyone to stare at your carcass in a box? Just a simple funeral Mass, attended by friends and family, and plant me.

We have a "go book." Copies of all important documents, etc. Everything but the safe combo, which is on file with the attorney and my daughter. The book is in a portable fire resistant sort of safe thing, easily accessible in the event we have to "go," like a fire, or in the event one of us "goes." My funeral plans include the cheapest cremation possible, since my wife objects to stuffing me into a garbage bag and dragging me to the curb. She says it would take two and she ain't doing no cutting!

All with instructions to clear your browser history.

But yes I think a formal will is required.

I've just been thinking about a will, talked to my son a few nights ago.
I just have my house, car, bank accounts and IRA.
Don't know if it's appropriate to ask, what would an attorney charge me to set up a will and power of attorney?