re: #370 Jadespring

Ugh I’ve seen a few families ripped apart by that sort of thing.

I think I’ll do it like my Grandmother did even though it did have a ‘creepy’ element to it. She started dividing and giving away the really valuable stuff before she died and any question of ‘fairness’ that the kids brought up was dealt with by her. With the other stuff she asked what her kids would like, made a list and then put pieces of tape with names on it on most everything, right done to the little knick knacks (which there were tons of) on all her shelves. If there was something two people wanted she had already made the decision.

My Mom felt really uncomfortable when it was happening but Grandma would just say, “I just don’t want you all arguing about things when I’m gone. This will make it easier.” Thing is it really did and everyone really appreciated how much easier it was. It led to a lot of laughs too when people pondered why Grandma had labeled the dancing hula bobble girl from Hawaii or the chipped pig salt shaker for them.

My mom did the same thing. WE had many discussions about it before she got sick and died. I never felt it was creepy. I mean, it’s not like it was a secret she was in her mid-70’s and close to the end of her life expectancy.

She also, at my request, had a note for me, listing her various insurance policies, stock accounts, her retirement, and other matters, with contact information. I cannot tell you how much that helped.