Estate Sale Guns

[AxeHandle]

Bloodhounds current GunBroker links to a set of estate sale guns posted in the classified is food for thought.... I'd hate to think that my Set was to suffer such a fate but unless explict plans have been made I'm sure that is what will happen... You guys got plans?

[rigby]

Yep, what the kids dont want gets sold. I have price listed for everything with strict instructions. Dont not sell for less then the price I put on it!

[Bear Claw Chris Lappe]

For the first time, I do. My niece has a young boy (4) that is already showing signs of being another shooter/hunter and since I have no kids of my own, I plan to leave him my guns.

He's also a southpaw like me, so my lefty bolt actions will really have a home where they are wanted!

[carl]

My wife has a phone list of "who to call"......

Carl

[majorKAP]

As much as I tried, I could never instill in my two young adult sons an interest in firearms.

So, I told my wife where to find the vault combinations and gave her instructions to contact my two trusted and knowledgeable best friends....one to keep an eye on the other.

She should allow them to dispose of them in the most productive means possible. It will be a long and tedious process. In return, I told her, they are each to be awarded five guns each of their choice.

Her reply to this plan? "You mean to tell me that you have more than TEN guns?!!"

Maybe I should have left written instructions available to her only AFTER I am gone.

[cas]

When my brother in law (and one of my best friends) was sick, he asked me if I would sell his gun for my sister if he didn't make it. Sadly he did not and I've been collecting and selling it all. It's a horribly depressing task on so many levels. He asked me to sell the guns, but in truth there are guns and ammo, reloading supplies and equipment, casting stuff, bows and archery equipment, hunting gear etc etc.

Coincidentally tomorrow will mark the one year anniversary of his passing. Hard to believe, it seems like only weeks. I've sold only sold a couple of the guns thus far, but several thousands of dollars with of "stuff". Yet I've barely scratched the surface.

[Boge Quinn]

I wrote a detailed will last year, with a list of who gets what. Jeff will be my executor.

[cubrock]

Boge, I better be on that list for some of those TLAs.

I have arrangements with a few friends. If I die first, they will help my wife sell what she doesn't keep for the kids. If they die first, I do the same for their wives.

[Hobie]

Having dealt with my mother's stuff even before she passed I strongly recommend that you have a plan, written, and that you get rid of all your extraneous stuff (and I'm not just talking gun stuff either).

[Boge Quinn]

Steve, you are actually on the list! Even though you did sell "my" USFA Flattop Target to Jared.

Hobie, nice article. I do a similar thing - I keep a spreadsheet with all the details about each gun in my collection (I also have similar spreadsheets for my musical instruments and my pocket watches). The spreadsheet includes all relevant info - serial numbers, estimated value, you name it - and includes a field for who, if anyone, gets each item after I crater. The spreadsheet gets updated each time I buy or sell, and I keep a recent copy in my safe along with my Will and other important papers.

Now comes the cool part - I conceived of a Memorandum to my Last Will and Testament, and created it with the help of a high-powered lawyer here in Tennessee. My Will references this external document, which I can edit as I see fit. That way, I can add or remove items to be willed to different individuals as I add to my collections, without having to have a lawyer amend the Will itself. The Memorandum contains not only who receives what in the event of my death, but also such things as how I want any memorial service handled (specifically at the Shootist Holiday), and how Gunblast will go on. The Will contains language that makes the Memorandum a part of the Will, and references watermarks in the Memorandum that assure the Memorandum can't be faked. It was a great idea, if I say so myself, and my lawyer did a wonderful job of making it bulletproof. Plus, it's cheaper in the long run that having to have a lawyer update the Will often.

I did all this last year after my latest heart scare (I'm doing fine now), but I recommend anyone, regardless of health, spell things out in a legally secure way. Not just to take care of our STUFF, but also to help the family after we're gone. Disposing of a large and valuable collection, or even a small one, can be a great burden on a grieving and vulnerable family, and the family can easily fall prey to unscrupulous bargain-hunters. Plus, some families have the unscrupulous bargain-hunters within, so if it's all taken care of beforehand, the family will be less likely to fracture over fighting about STUFF.

I'd be glad to give more detailed information on my method to anyone who emails me about it. It's legally bulletproof in Tennessee, but other states may vary.

[mhblaw]

The "Memorandum" that Boge references as a separate document from your will, yet mentioned in your will, is a feature of the Uniform Probate Code in effect in many states. As he says, allows you to edit your list as time goes on without changing your will. Usually is only applicable to items of personal property such as firearms etc., cannot be used to devise stocks, bonds or items that require titles, such as motor vehicles.

[Markbo]

I have made plans, like any responsible adult should. I have no doubt that whatever my daughter, step sons and a few close friends don't get (or rather want) will be sold for way too little money.

The rest is up to them... I've got my ducks in a row.

[patdaddy]

While i'm only 29, ive already been thinking what will happen to mine. I dont have a wife or children, and dont know if i will. I have a 1st generation colt saa, an old marlin rimfire revolver, and some late 1800s Smith & wessons, and while they're all shooter-grade, i dont want them going to some yahoo whos gonna beat the tar out of them, but theyre not museum quality, so im unsure what to do with them. Hopefully, i have a LONG time left to think about it.

[Hobie]

Thanks Boge. You're right about families fracturing over stuff. Absolutely right.

[derekr]

Good stuff guys. Thanks for making me think about my situation.