Hi -- The Dick Karnes interview was interesting, and the post interview remarks were quite good. I am not looking forward to being re-kitted! Seriously, my wife and I have kept a log (inventory) of all major hobby items for a long time. Every year we review all our belongings for inclusion in our family trust – adding some, deleting others as our assets change. My wife is more knowledgeable than most, having been a partner in our hobby shop for 23 years, but when the time comes for her to repackage my trains and tear down the layout (if I don’t have the ability to do it first) she will require some help. I have listed several persons and shops who might be able to help in this matter within the inventory pages. In the past I have had to do this for a few widows, only once had the husband made prior arrangements. All too often the survivors have a totally unrealistic idea of the values of the hobby materials – some so low as to literally throw everything into the trash or give them away (when their could be some real money to be recouped) or so high that the heirs think they are going to be rich. It is a difficult task to put things into true perspective for these people when they are already facing some difficult times and decisions...
Along these lines, even if you don’t have a trust, have a will! Make sure that it is reviewed regularly for accuracy and to reflect changes that might have taken place in your life (new wife, different real estate properties, new funeral arrangements, new bank accounts or safe deposit boxes, changes in heirs, etc.). Knowing WHERE to find things is REALLY important to the survivors, especially if they are not living with you. If someone outside of the family is to take care of things, make sure that the person, organization or business is still willing and able to do this. As I found out when my parents died 3 days apart, their successor trustee was NOT willing to take on the disposition of their estate, making my life very interesting for over a year. Live long and prosper! Bill Winans Prescott Valley, AZ NASG western VP From: Jim and Cheryl Martin Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 5:31 PM To: [email protected] Subject: {S-Scale List} Dick Karnes on The Model Railway Show podcast Episode 6 of The Model Railway Show has just been inserted onto our website themodelrailwayshow.com In this show, I interview Dick Karnes about the NASG's Estate Disposition Kit. The interview was recorded about 6 weeks ago, ahead of the sad loss of too many of our own over the Christmas period. This just serves to underscore the importance of the topic. Heavy stuff for a hobby show perhaps, but important stuff nevertheless.... Jim Martin Co-host The Model Railway Show ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
