Matt, even if inheritance seems straightforward, a will can make the difference between getting it done speedily and having it linger in probate for months or more. Don't put them through it, really. Make a will.
I see your uhhhhhhhhhhh and raise you a gnyeh.
Buffy ,'Potential'
Natter 70: Hookers and Blow
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Zenkitty - Apr 11, 2012 1:46:50 pm PDT #482 of 30001
Every now and then, I think I might actually be a little odd.
brenda m - Apr 11, 2012 1:47:56 pm PDT #483 of 30001
If you're going through hell/keep on going/don't slow down/keep your fear from showing/you might be gone/'fore the devil even knows you're there
I should get on that stuff too.
Maria - Apr 11, 2012 1:50:09 pm PDT #484 of 30001
Not so nice is that I'm about to ruin a Friday morning for a bunch of people because of a series of unfortunate events and an upset foreign government. - shrift
It won't really be a pressing concern for me unless/until my folks predecease me, which hopefully will be far off in the future.
You should still have a basic will that names one of them as your personal representative. Otherwise they have to go through intestate probabe to get letters of administration to allow them to do things like sell your car and close bank accounts, etc. Having access to your accounts is not enough; they need to be joint account holders as well to keep the accounts out of probate (and non-taxable). There's other tax questions to consider concerning the retirement account and the value of your personal possessions.
(I'm really sorry that I'm so adamant, but I'm steeped in this right now, and it's not pretty.)
edit: Or what Zenkitty said. Much, much more succintly.
Steph L. - Apr 11, 2012 1:50:12 pm PDT #485 of 30001
the hardest to learn / was the least complicated
This all reminds me that I need to make sure my dad has a will. I know I have power of attorney (and/or possibly medical power of attorney [note to self: check that shit out, too]), but I'm pretty sure he doesn't have a will because -- and I quote -- "I don't have anything worth putting in a will." I believe I've told him that it would make things easier on my brother and me if he has a will, and he just got angry. Which was awesome.
And I'm all too aware that, as Tim's girlfriend and not wife, legally I am just some person he knows.
erikaj - Apr 11, 2012 1:51:08 pm PDT #486 of 30001
Always Anti-fascist!
Zimmerman is a moron. In fact, there are stupid people around the world going "That's my hey!" right now, because at least they didn't hurt anybody and I'm lumping them in with him.
Connie Neil - Apr 11, 2012 1:51:46 pm PDT #487 of 30001
brillig
I'm having a real effort not to warble "The Circle of Life" about now.
meara - Apr 11, 2012 1:52:08 pm PDT #488 of 30001
Me three. I can't believe a spouse would only get 50% and parents would get 50%?!!? I thought when you married it went to your spouse! Maybe it's a crazy Maryland law? Geez. That sucks.
Jesse - Apr 11, 2012 1:58:16 pm PDT #489 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
I should have a will. What I do have is half-price Easter candy, so that's something?
-t - Apr 11, 2012 1:59:06 pm PDT #490 of 30001
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
There's property you own in common with your spouse and property that you own separately and they are treated differently as parts of the estate. And how they are defined and how they are handled varies by state.
Consuela - Apr 11, 2012 1:59:13 pm PDT #491 of 30001
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix
I can't believe a spouse would only get 50% and parents would get 50%?!!? I thought when you married it went to your spouse! Maybe it's a crazy Maryland law? Geez.
Nope, that's not that unusual.
Dying intestate is not recommended, folks. Which reminds me: I should do something about that, as well. I don't have much worldly goods worth worrying about (except for all my books, yikes), but I have retirement money I would want to go to my nephews and niece for their college funds.