Try to get him to talk to an attorney as well, since there's real property involved. An initial consultation with an estate planning lawyer should be free.

I think many people are like my mom was, just under the vague impression that when they die, their kids "get everything" as if they can just walk off with it. My mom did have a handwritten will, but for a woman who made herself aware of every law regarding her money, she seemed strangely unaware of laws regarding the disposition of her assets after she wasn't around anymore.

Either that, or she just planned to spend everything before she went! She sure loved to write checks.

Yes, you do. Are you listed on the deed? You would have to qualify for a mortgage on your own, as if you were buying it outright. There's also arcane rules that concern how the house is valued upon inheritance that may or may not apply.

I'm on the deed but not on the mortgage for the house. Our attorney at closing said that as long as I kept paying the mortgage if something were to happen to TCG, I would not have to get a new one in my name.

My mother has been telling me where the safety deposit key is every time she has taken a vacation without me since I was little. All the paperwork I would need if something were to happen to her and my stepdad is in there.

M and I just had the "we need to write a will" convo, which is now also the "who would look after Rose" convo. Not fun, but necessary. Now we just have to put it in writing. If we write a will through LegalZoom, that ought to be enough, right?

Kate, no. You should see a lawyer because you'll also need to set up various trust accounts for Rose's care, and guardianship, etc. A lawyer will be able to help you with the tax planning aspect of that, too. Also, with the house buying, and Rose's future now a part of your lives, you need to check your life insurance coverage.

Right now I am in a conundrum. My non-a/c'd office is catching a real nice breeze, and feels comfy. But the work I have to do is upstairs in the shop. Which means leaving cool office, and walking in heat-wave zone. But I'm running out of things to do in my office. And have plenty to do in the workshops. Sigh.

Woot! Found some paperwork to do! :: basks in cool breeze::

Hmm, thanks, Sparky. OK, putting "see a lawyer" on the to-do list.

Man, I really wish I'd had the rental car on my car insurance. Even with the Geico discount, the rental is going to cost more than the deductible to fix my car.

I asked Princess Dobbycry if she wanted to meet up for pie this weekend. So, you know, that happened. I don't even know if I was ready to hit Send, but it's less traumatic when you are trying to give less fucks! Fewer fucks?

think of it this way: is this the first time your car has needed repair? would you have wanted to pay for the rental for years just for one incident? Financially it isn't a picnic, but for one incident, you are probably better off in the long run.

Be sure to check hotwire and enterprise and look for rental car coupons. It is summer, but you can still get deals.