I should also mention; if there are any investment accounts, you want to be listed as beneficiary. Don't add yourself as joint owner of the account like a bank account. If you are beneficiary; the cost basis for you is set at the day of transfer. If you are a joint holder; you are responsible for any profits since original purchase of the securities.

What we learned: Please, please have an actual will. Please have the will accessible or easily found. Prepare for family members to show true colors when the last parent dies....no one to hold them accountable anymore so greedy, conniving or jealous hearts are fueled.

I know of one time that didn’t play well. A lot money at stake and the one that originally contested did get her a better deal after legal fees and years of contention

Almost every time it seems.

When mom passed we had dad set down and fill out and file paperwork to handle. It’s a weird feeling but made things so simple in the end. There will always be an end.

My brother passed in June. He knew it was coming, Cancer. He like he was his whole life had everything done to a T. The tight wad even rented a casket for the viewing. He was cremated and didn't want to wast money on a casket just to burn it up. He had TOD time of death trust.

I know of another also.

That's another thing money brings out the ugly in people real quick

We are burying my grandmother today and I've got a feeling the next couple months will be a T total schittshow with 3 siblings who mostly don't get along.

One thing I've learned and I'm not even having to deal with it is in your or your parents will, have things detailed and spelled out. Not, split equally X number of ways. I'll be surprised if the entire estate isn't sold and a judge splits the money 3 ways before it's all said and done simply because my grandparents didn't wanna chance hurting somebody's feelings by saying you get this, you get this and you get this. So on and so forth.

You can still contest the will but usually if you lose the case you get nothing.

I could write a book on this subject because I’ve been through it several times. I’m just a redneck air conditioning man but several of my closest friends and hunting buddies are honest attorneys if there is such a thing. Just go slow and remember that you will never know a person until you share an inheritance with them. The executor of and estate has all the legal responsibility to make sure it’s handled appropriately not to mention the moral responsibility.

Unfortunately I also have learned your own kin can be incredibly greedy and couldn’t care less whether you get anything or live or die. I thought me and my cousin were close until my grandmother passed away. She left everything to my dad as executor and when my dad passes everything is left to me and my cousin. There’s land, a house, some money all in a trust. I dread the day it comes down to me and cousin. Shameful the way some folks can be

I could tell y'all a story that you would not believe. My mom has been dealing with a lawsuit almost 6 years after the death of a man she met, married, took care of and buried in 17 months. The trial is next year, so I will refrain, but it does not get more crazy then this.

And go ahead and make pre-arranged burial arrangements for yourself.