What happens when we die?

[Walker1]

Interesting, can people register their will in their local court -a notarized copy with attorneys signing off too? That way there won't be legal disputes?

[mike carey]

Interesting, can people register their will in their local court -a notarized copy with attorneys signing off too? That way there won't be legal disputes?

Noting that I am speaking from a different legal jurisdiction, it may be possible, but in accepting it for registration the court would not be making any judgment on the validity or otherwise of the will. So it could still be challenged. The best protection would still be to have a lawyer draw it up as they would be aware of possible grounds for it to be challenged and prepare it accordingly.

[+ AntonGraza]

I often wonder how many people look through the “private” stuff left by a deceased spouse and realize that they were with the wrong person all along

My relatives were hoarders, I had to go though every scrap of paper. Found cash in unopened cards, gift certificates, papers on stocks and insurance. The best thing to do is to keep all of your “stuff” in a trunk or box labeled throw out. Before hand tell someone it is personal items that will mean nothing to anyone but you and just chuck it upon death. I have also done this for a relative. ( I have to hang with younger people or not be so good at this that I am the “go to” person for this activity.)

[Guest]

... Go see a lawyer and inquire about setting up a trust. All of you bank accounts, house title and any 401k assets are in the name of the trust...

 

Thanks. I know I need to do that, especially now...

[Guest]

After getting another installment on my inheritance, I deposited it in Citibank. They said they wouldn't let me let me list the beneficiary as my estate. Nor could I name an institution, such as UCLA. If I didn't have a trust, I would have to name a real person. I named my best friend, although he's already listed in my will for a fair sum of money, my cars, my house, and all of its contents. I kind of wanted this to go to charities and other friends as named in my will. Then today, I transferred most of that money to a new E-trade account, especially since they gave me a bonus to open the account. At E-trade, they had no problem with my listing my estate as the beneficiary. I told the account dude at E-trade about how anxious I was to get a trust set up. He said that while it was a good idea, since probate can last so long, that I shouldn't panic about it, since the beneficiaries (friends, charities) could wait. Incidentally, do any of you know how E-trade makes money? It doesn't look like they charge money for either maintaining the account or for most trades, so I don't know how they earn their $$. I said I basically wanted to preserve the principal, since my plan is to take almost all of the money out in early 2021 to buy a house in the Hollywood hills or Beverly Hills Post Office hills. He said it'd probably be best to put them in T-bills, though he'd look at CD's and corporate/municipal bonds.

[MscleLovr]

Why not buy a house in Beverly Hills now @Unicorn? It can be a project to occupy you now you’re single. And a nice, large house in Beverly Hills is likely to retain, or even increase, its value in the interim.

[Beancounter]

After getting another installment on my inheritance, I deposited it in Citibank. They said they wouldn't let me let me list the beneficiary as my estate. Nor could I name an institution, such as UCLA. If I didn't have a trust, I would have to name a real person. I named my best friend, although he's already listed in my will for a fair sum of money, my cars, my house, and all of its contents. I kind of wanted this to go to charities and other friends as named in my will. Then today, I transferred most of that money to a new E-trade account, especially since they gave me a bonus to open the account. At E-trade, they had no problem with my listing my estate as the beneficiary. I told the account dude at E-trade about how anxious I was to get a trust set up. He said that while it was a good idea, since probate can last so long, that I shouldn't panic about it, since the beneficiaries (friends, charities) could wait. Incidentally, do any of you know how E-trade makes money? It doesn't look like they charge money for either maintaining the account or for most trades, so I don't know how they earn their $$. I said I basically wanted to preserve the principal, since my plan is to take almost all of the money out in early 2021 to buy a house in the Hollywood hills or Beverly Hills Post Office hills. He said it'd probably be best to put them in T-bills, though he'd look at CD's and corporate/municipal bonds.

I use TDAmeritrade and they recently went to zero fee online trading. Here’s an article about how they make money. I’m sure it’s the same with other brokerages as well.

 

https://www.fool.com/investing/2019/10/06/is-td-ameritrade-a-buy.aspx

[+ Gar1eth]

 

Along the same lines, who is going to sanitize my computer after I die?

A friend said she's designated a buddy who will scrub her computer upon hearing of her death.

 

In the Britcom Coupling when Susan is trying to find out more about a new interest Steve, she asks about him from her co-worker Jeff who is Steve's best friend. Jeff replies they are so close they are 'porn buddies.' Susan asks whether that's code for being gay. Jeff says no. What a 'porn buddy' is is that if Steve passes (or vice versa), no matter how torn up Jeff no doubt will be, his job is to get over to Steve's apartment and remove any porn before Steve's parents get there. Susan asks, "And then destroys it?" Jeff replies, "Well no, keeping it. That's the perk of being a porn buddy."

 

Gman

[+ DERRIK]

I’ve read a little regarding military that die overseas

 

the process includes going through personal belongings and typically includes removal of porn as well as not appropriate pictures of that would not be returned to spouse

 

I would not be surprised if intimidate pictures/letters not appropriate for the spouse. - these items discreetly to the right person.

[Islesguy]

In the Britcom Coupling when Susan is trying to find out more about a new interest Steve, she asks about him from her co-worker Jeff who is Steve's best friend. Jeff replies they are so close they are 'porn buddies.' Susan asks whether that's code for being gay. Jeff says no. What a 'porn buddy' is is that if Steve passes (or vice versa), no matter how torn up Jeff no doubt will be, his job is to get over to Steve's apartment and remove any porn before Steve's parents get there. Susan asks, "And then destroys it?" Jeff replies, "Well no, keeping it. That's the perk of being a porn buddy."

 

Gman

Loved that show.

[Guest]

Why not buy a house in Beverly Hills now @Unicorn? It can be a project to occupy you now you’re single. And a nice, large house in Beverly Hills is likely to retain, or even increase, its value in the interim.

Well, if I knew the value would go up for sure, that would be one thing. Also, I haven't received all of my inheritance yet. I'm not sure where the hold-up is, since I think that her house and all her belongings have been sold (and I have received those proceeds), but I'm told mid-2020. There's a house that is kind of ideal for me, especially since it's on a gated street, which is rare in the BH/Hollywood area, but it's a bit more than I'd like to pay. I see it's been on the market for well over 2 years, so I'm hoping that at some point its price will go down:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/9653-Oak-Pass-Rd-Beverly-Hills-CA-90210/20532928_zpid/

[MscleLovr]

Well, @Unicorn the house has been foreclosed so the lender may at some time lower the price. Clearly their strategy so far is to wait for prices to rise.

 

I know the area a little. I hope you are aware that the traffic in Benedict Canyon can be terrible.

[BaronArtz]

Well, if I knew the value would go up for sure, that would be one thing. Also, I haven't received all of my inheritance yet. I'm not sure where the hold-up is, since I think that her house and all her belongings have been sold (and I have received those proceeds), but I'm told mid-2020. There's a house that is kind of ideal for me, especially since it's on a gated street, which is rare in the BH/Hollywood area, but it's a bit more than I'd like to pay. I see it's been on the market for well over 2 years, so I'm hoping that at some point its price will go down:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/9653-Oak-Pass-Rd-Beverly-Hills-CA-90210/20532928_zpid/

 

That is indeed a beautiful home. I don't know your age bracket. Keep in mind that this is a multi-level home which may not be very practical for a retiree with decreasing and limited mobility ...

[+ Pensant]

Not sure why anyone would want to live in BH when there are so many other lovely areas in coastal CA where the prices aren’t so inflated.

[+ WilliamM]

Not sure why anyone would want to live in BH when there are so many other lovely areas in coastal CA where the prices aren’t so inflated.

 

@Unicorn is a doctor. Other locations may be far from his office.

[Guest]

@Unicorn is a doctor. Other locations may be far from his office.

Actually, I'm planning to retire and be next to the beautiful men...

[Guest]

Well, @Unicorn the house has been foreclosed so the lender may at some time lower the price. Clearly their strategy so far is to wait for prices to rise.

 

I know the area a little. I hope you are aware that the traffic in Benedict Canyon can be terrible.

 

Yes, that's actually what I like and what's so unique about this property on Oak Pass Road. I don't have to take Benedict Canyon, but rather can drive up San Ysidro Drive when coming from Beverly Hills or WeHo. And, if I want to go to the Valley, I can just take Hutton Drive/Deep Canyon Drive. Anybody else who lives up San Ysidro Drive has to drive all the way back down and up if they want to go to the Valley.

[LivingnLA]

Yes, that's actually what I like and what's so unique about this property on Oak Pass Road. I don't have to take Benedict Canyon, but rather can drive up San Ysidro Drive when coming from Beverly Hills or WeHo. And, if I want to go to the Valley, I can just take Hutton Drive/Deep Canyon Drive. Anybody else who lives up San Ysidro Drive has to drive all the way back down and up if they want to go to the Valley.

 

That hits close to home for some of the families we know.

[+ WilliamM]

@Unicorn, with your inheritance, you could buy a trailer in Malibu for occasional weekday visits in late Spring early Fall.

[Epigonos]

Had a friend who owned a spectacular home just off Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills. The house and the view were wonderful. However, just going grocery shopping was a major ordeal. For a quart of milk you had to either go up over Laurel Canyon to the Valley or down Laurel Canyon into West Hollywood -- NOT FUN DRIVES!!!!!