PSA
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POD, people! My grandparents set up their estates to avoid probate.
At least, I'm pretty sure my grandfather found a way to avoid it with his house, my grandmother having predeceased him.
Their deaths initiated a needless all out war between the survivors but that was unnecessary and I blame it on their children who felt entitled to everything.
I approve of the work the Florida firm my cousin hired which is a surprise to me.
Other than his $1,500 fee for a consultation over Zoom, it will be in my best interests to spend another $5,500 in lawyers' and court fees.
This is a complicated and expensive process, but I'm hopeful it will work out so I can set myself up not to depend on Jim (who's paid no bills in nine months, anyway).
There are issues to be resolved and it's important they're resolved in my favor but I'm hopeful.
Probate is a fresh kind of hell. Avoid it if at all possible.
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So, I talked to our lawyer and decided to take his advice about managing my assets. I didn't think I'd like him because I felt my cousin was steering the conversation in a way I didn't necessarily want. I was pleasantly surprised.
So, it turns out my inheritance will between 200k and 250k. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I never expected to inherit money from my father. I never expected to inherit money again, actually.
I'm taking enough to hopefully buy a different mobile home that's nicer and needs no work. I'm also buying a car. I'm moving out of here when this is done to get away from you know who, who hasn't paid $1 to live here for 9 months now. He can't pay the rent; he will be evicted; and this place will become the park's property according to the land lease; I don't care.
I'm looking at a beautiful place in the same park for $38.5k with a rare private garden down from 95k during the recent price frenzy. The park manager is the broker. My offer will be cash.
I'm deciding on a car to buy. I might buy a new Corolla or Civic. It will be insured to the hilt of course but at my age I plan to keep my next car for life.
I can finally take care of my burial (cremation) arrangements. How exciting!
Most of the rest of the money will be under asset management.
I'm paying for other paperwork "everyone should have."
So and so didn't plan on me inheriting money when he went on his non-stop "I don't want to live with you" tirade.
His phone died. He can't afford to replace it. It's been heavenly quiet for the last few days. He can't power his Bluetooth speaker. He can't sing all day and night without it, apparently.
Well, be careful what you wish for. He's about to find out what life is like when he can't lean on me. The things I pay for and do will become conspicuous by their absences immediately; I past the point of caring on or about May 25 when I realized I want him out of my life.
But, yes. I'm spending a lot of money on lawyers. I think it's money well spent.
In my case, I have no choice, anyway.