quote:

ORIGINAL: catwhoorg

The standard in the UK is in case of simultaneous death, the older person died first unless there is conclusive evidence to the contrary.

30 day survivor clauses are commonly added to wills.

quote:

ORIGINAL: wdolson
I probably would have done similar.

Bill

quote:

ORIGINAL: Fallschirmjager

I have a law degree as well. I don't have a practice, but if people ask me for legal advice in terms of estate planning, then I do advise them. The quickest way to destroy a family is to die and not leave a will in place. My recommendation would be to leave a will to your estate in the hands of a third party, like an attorney, financial planner or mediator. Don't leave it in the hands of a blood relative.

quote:

ORIGINAL: wdolson

A few years ago I read a book about borderline personality disorders (BPD) and how they affect people. The author was an engineering professor but was inspired to write the book from her experiences with her own sister who had BPD. She said at the end of the book when she tells people about BPD, she gets one of two reactions. Either, "that can't be, nobody is like that!" or "let me tell you my story..."

quote:

ORIGINAL: oldman45

quote:

ORIGINAL: Fallschirmjager

I have a law degree as well. I don't have a practice, but if people ask me for legal advice in terms of estate planning, then I do advise them. The quickest way to destroy a family is to die and not leave a will in place. My recommendation would be to leave a will to your estate in the hands of a third party, like an attorney, financial planner or mediator. Don't leave it in the hands of a blood relative.

That is good advice. My parents did that and I thought it was kind crazy, since I was the first male born and all. ;) Then came the inevitable and thank goodness there was a third party dealing with the siblings. Estates do bring the worst out in people.

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ORIGINAL: witpqs

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Sometimes people mistake me for a nice guy. I'm not.

I was executor of Dad's estate, and he wanted each of us siblings and his current wife to share equally. His wife was not a US citizen at the time and they were not living in the US at the time.

Nice guy I am not; ethical and loyal I am. My Dad wanted it, and that is what he got. To the point that even though she was not in his will (intentionally), I had each sibling write a check after probate to the widow so that in the end everyone got exactly an even share. Fair.

The not nice guy part comes in with a couple of recalcitrant siblings. They did pay. Grudgingly, but they did pay. The good thing is that my siblings really do know I am not a nice guy and even they don't want to be on my bad side. [8D]

I would also add that my Dad named me executor because he knew all this beforehand.

My point being that people don't always choose executors for the right reason. You don't want a Labrador for your executor, you want the Doberman. Simple. Direct. Loyal. Follows commands. [:D]

You might be using a definition of 'nice guy' that I disagree with. Being a nice person does not (in my lingo) mean unable to be as hard as you judge needed or appropriate, or letting people take advantage of you. That might be called a pushover.

You seem like a nice guy around these parts. [8D]

BTW, can I borrow $5? What's the vig? [:D]