My EGA chapter just hosted Marion Scoular, an internationally famous teacher, designer, and lecturer. Her classes and lectures were wonderful plus she's a very delightful person.
One of the snippets she passed on was to include a Stash Administrator in wills. This will send a signal to your heirs that the things you've accumulated have value and that they should think twice before holding a sale to get rid of 'the junk.'
Sorry Anne, I completely disagree with this. I have made it very clear to my children and grand children that they owe no allegiance to
*any* of my needlework, supplies, etc. If none of them want it, then it just plain junk. How they dispose of it, I could not care less.-- Jim Cripwell. From Canada. Land of the Key Bird. This creature of doom flies over the frozen tundra in winter, shrieking its dreaded call; "Key, Key, Key, Key rist but it's cold!!"
But Jim, wouldn't you want them to realize it has a potential value to some one else??
Cheryl
It is entirely up to my children and grandchildren. If they want to sell them, give them away, junk them, etc. so be it. It is nothing to do with me at all.
-- Jim Cripwell. From Canada. Land of the Key Bird. This creature of doom flies over the frozen tundra in winter, shrieking its dreaded call; "Key, Key, Key, Key rist but it's cold!!"
I have given specific instructions that all of my things are to be burned with me. That way no one can say "why didn't she finish that?" or "why'd she buy that???".
Might I suggest that if one's things truly have value, do not burden someone else with the responsibility of deciding who to give everything to. Don't "signal" your heirs. Talk to them while you are still alive!!! Make your wishes known!!! If you don't trust them to abide by those wishes, then do everyone the favor of naming your preferred beneficiaries in the will, whether it be friends, relatives, or a charitable cause(s), as you would for furniture, jewelry, and other personal items, don't just name a "stash administrator."
My in-laws had to sell off DH's grandmother's home and contents last weekend (grandma is in memory care in the nursing home, suffering Alzheimer's). Grandma never wanted to think about wills and death, so while my MIL has power of attorney, there is no will, and no one knew who, if anyone, she wanted to give various items to (she's not "with it" enough to say at this point), so everything was auctionned off to pay for her care, and the family "bought back" anything they wanted during the auction. Worse since the 4 sibs don't get along. Lots of "Mom told me she wanted me to have that ring," "no she didn't," "no, she told me
*I* get the ring," sibs sneaking into the house and taking stuff so the other sibs wouldn't get it, etc. What a mess.Leave a will, and be specific, and make your wishes known to your WHOLE family while you are still alive!!!
Barbara HJ
My grandmother, who died when she was 92, about 40 years ago, had labels on the back, or inside, items she wanted people to have. I still have a very pretty, non-working, watch, with the label "Gillian, with love from Grandma" in my drawer! I treasure it, because she had thought of me when I was young!
Gillian
On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 09:04:09 -0400, anne muttered something like:
No no, I'm taking it all with me when I die.
It's the only way I'm going to finish all these projects.
-Bertha
My elder daughter might want some of my stuff but if she didn't, the girls know it should be handed over to my Guild. They can divvy it out, sell stuff or do whatever. At least they will know what they are handling.
When I moved here I donated all my many, and I do mean many, magazines to the Guild library, now everyone can shuffle through them. It's been a great idea, especially as new stitchers join us who have not ventured very far yet.
now that's a plan. LOL! Ruby
Gill,
One tip that a lawyer gave me was similar to that, except it was to have a letter signed, dated and notorized. You can do this up to a certain dollar value each year per person. Which in states that still have inheritance taxes, omits it from being taxed as part of the estate.
R
Love your style. Guess that is why I try to keep the number of projects low. That, and I get bored easily.
Rusty
Waiting for the short attention span pieces
anne had some very interesting things to say about Good Advice:
Karen elected me to that job. ;-)
I like to think my DH would have the sense to consult her about my stash instead of just pitching. :-)
my lawyer suggested something along those lines when DH and I did the wills/ living wills etc. a few years ago: put what you want people to get in writing but keep it out of the will for tax reasons. I told DD that I want my stash - cross stitch, crochet and knitting - to go to a particular niece because the niece (and her siblings!) are creative. DD pouted because she wouldn't get anything! DD better become creative! Lisa
At the present time, my stash isn't that extensive or valuable so I personally don't give a flying fig what's done with it. I do hope, however, that even though my projects are a bit off the beaten track that my progeny opt to keep one or two to remember me by.
I think Marion's point was to leave nothing to chance if you and those around recognize the inherent value of your stuff. IOW, it would be a good idea to leave instructions as to its disposal upon your passing.
Keep in mind that this relates to a lot more that just your stash. If you do a lot of family history work and have collected a lot of books on your history, you may want to make sure they go to your local genealogy society.
I'm sure anyone else here would gladly volunteer for the position of Chief Stash Fondler if you don't want the job. (And the perks of adding to your own stash before disseminating among RCTN, eBay and EGA.)
If your DH doesn't deliver your stash to my house within hours of your demise, you may assure him that there will be two corpses at your funeral.
"Rusty Hall" wrote
That is technically gifting a recipient, and something that takes effect immediately the gift is made. The dollar value would be established in tax legislation, essentially to prevent income splitting etc. Overwise, if the gift was stated in the letter to take place on death, the thing might have to be considered a will, and might invalid an existing will that predates it. Dawne
labels on the back, or inside, items she wanted people to have. I still have a
My mother's cousin did the same thing, labelling various pieces of furniture with masking tape. Alleged adults (my uncle and another of their cousins) crawled under furniture when visiting her and switched or removed them. (The cousin admitted to it,since she hated my uncle) This kind of indication of wishes (because that is all it is) is not legally binding, and only as effective as the people left behind are honourable. Dawne
My boss (a probate lawyer) has his clients put language in their wills stating that "I may leave a memorandum with instructions for distribution of my personal effects at my death". This allows them to leave a letter saying that Suzie gets the artwork and Mary gets the cross stitch stash without invalidating the original will. They can also leave a specific bequest in the body of the will itself if they choose, but if they do so and later change their mind (or the intended recipient does not survive), then the testator has to sign a codicil to change those bequests. A memorandum at death eliminates that need (or so he tells me....)
Jenn L.
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