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Emotions After The Death of a Second Parent (continued)
Sitting down and reviewing the assets to which the beneficiaries have an emotional attachment, after a short pep talk on the family’s desire to handle things in a way that would make Mom and Dad proud, will often result in this phase going very smoothly. Family members who have emotional attachments to some of the same objects, in the right atmosphere, work
together to see that everyone is satisfied. After the assets on the emotion list are handled, then the siblings move to the
discussion of the second and then the third lists. The second and third lists are always easier to get through.
The personal representative appointed in the will, with input from others, sets the schedule. The agreement not to take anything from the home until everyone determines who is to get what from the personal property is very important. When a couple of things start disappearing, others start worrying that they won’t get their share of those personal things that are important to them and they join in on the taking of assets. It makes everyone suspicious and distrustful and that continues throughout the handling of the estate and leaves its mark on the future of the family.
A well planned estate means more than tax planning. It means family planning, planning that will to help unify the family and avoid interpersonal conflict and dissension.
Previous: Emotions After the Death of a Second Parent (continued)
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