Touchy subject, death & wills, your possessions?

[BigBill]

I can't say this enough, it makes me still upset a decade later.
While at the local pawn shop the owner told me he gets his best buys from the family of the deceased gun owner when the grieving family turns in his guns that they don't want. Then he laughs and snickered about it. I then used 200% of my haggling tactics after hearing that. It cost this slime ball $100's in profits.
In some cases even more.

My point is do you have a will with your guns in it as to whom gets what?

Does your misses have an updated value list on what your guns are worth?

Did you educate her on how to use your LGS to sell them on consignment so she gets the most money she can?

I taught her to be independant at the time and not to rely on anyone. Trust no one. People, even close friends can get greedy at this time. I trust no one when it comes to an estimated fair market value price when it comes for her to part with them. I like her to have the knowledge ahead of time. And not become a victim to the greedy and the thieves at this time.

I also told her to hang on to them as long as she can so the value will be even higher. I did educate her on which ones to part with and which ones to keep.

Either way she has the knowledge of options when the time comes so I can rest in peace. If I pass on with no warning.(in my sleep)

Now if I have a dragged out illness I will divide some stuff up sooner so the misses don't have to do it.

Do you have a plan yet? Don't let my pawn show guy get get them.

 

[old bear]

I've made very clear instructions as to who my guns and assorted equipment is to go too..

 

[PatAz]

Everything will go to our son and he loves guns.

 

[mg357]

Since I will be going in for lymph nodes surgery at some point in the future. I have written out my will and instructed my parents on what to do with most of my stuff I also gave them instructions on who to give my one and only gun to as well.

 

[timn8er]

Big Bill, first off, I hope you get to feeling better soon! As to my "collection", I have been thinking about that more & more lately. I'm not that old, but as iffy as my health has been the past three years it might be best to make provisions. I have no son to pass them on to(that I know of!)but I do have a couple of people in mind. One, a long time friend & former riding partner, & the other a distant cousin I met just recently. The family was sitting around talking & through the conversation I was able to tell he was a fellow gun nut. We looked at his carry, a Glock, & I showed him my Shield & my 40c. I really didn't think he would be interested in my 3rd Gens, but I was wrong. His face just lit up when I showed him what few rare pistols I have, & he handled them with respect. So he is a very likely heir.

 

[BigBill]

I'm planning for the future generations in my family to enjoy shooting and my gift for them. My new grandson is 3 1/2 years old now. He loves my real tractors and the remote control construction toys I gave him.
I hope I'm around to see him enjoy the s&w k22 in 22lr revolver I purchaser for him someday. The young lad has everything already from a shotgun to bear/deer rifles. I want it in writing who gets what.
We worked hard to pay for this stuff and my son's have always been there for me too. I just want to do the right thing.

Now the grandson comes over and we have to open up my four split barn roof tackle boxes so he can look at all my lures. There for him too. I can't wait to go fishing with him in the springtime. He is going to light up when the topwater strikes happen.

 

[rwsmith]

I have a will, but....

Guns are a little different 'possession'. Make sure your guns go to someone that appreciates them or your family at least knows the value of them.

 

[thebeamanater107]

After I'm dead, I really don't care about my possessions. My concern is that people don't fight over my stuff. If nobody wants my guns, I can't make someone love a piece of steel because I loved it.

Later on when I have a real collection I'll 'will' them out evenly, but I expect when I no longer use them I'll sell or give them away except for the carry and home defense one.

the original point and click interface, by Smith and Wesson

 

[finesse_r]

I fully hope to wear all my guns out shooting them just before I kick the bucket as they say. Might have a little trouble with my 22 pistols if I don't find some inexpensive bricks soon.

 

[SmokeStack Lightning]

Just make sure to have a will drawn up by a lawyer if you plan on leaving anything to anyone.

Not on-line, but face to face with an attorney who will do the rest.

Don't put it off thinking you've got another good 20 or more years left.

Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one.

5 relatives/friends of mine have died in 3 years.

All were healthy and none prepared.

Auto accidents, brain aneurysms, heart attacks and overdoses occur on a daily basis.

Now, back to our scheduled programming.......................

 

[BE Mike]

I recently gave away all the guns I have which have sentimental value to my daughters. I took the time to write a story for each firearm and what I had done with it and why it had special meaning. As to the other firearms I own, they can sell them after I die or keep them. They are just possessions, so I really don't care. I do have a list of all my guns and their approximate values.

 

[ancient-one]

My guns are included in a Trust. Wanted to make sure that my great grandson would end up with them instead of some step grand children, really adults, who hardly know my name.

 

[straightshooter1]

I can understand Bill's point of view on the pawn shop purchasing firearms from the heirs of the estate.

BUT, at least it is the heirs making the decision to sell the guns and I can't believe anyone who tries to sell something at a pawn shop doesn't realize they pay pennies on the dollar for anything they purchase.

The greater problem, for me, is that I have seen many shooters die and the shooter's buddies buy the guns from the widow for ridiculous prices telling her they are paying a fair price and "helping" her out.

That, to me, is the lowest of the low.

Bob

 

[doublesharp]

I put Noconeetrader's phone # with my guns.

 

[msinc]

There are a lot of good points and this is a good subject. I have both a will and a log book of every gun I own or have owned. What the disposition is {inventoried or struck from the list as sold or disposed of} and the fair market values. To the values I have to figures...the least that needs to be collected for that gun {basically what I have in it} and a good fair market value. The log has all the serial numbers and the condition of the gun as far as I am concerned. My mother in law, who is a big gun collector as well, has done the same thing. We get together every now and then and go over what we have so each other knows the what's and where's of each collection. She was always interested in guns but really started collecting when I married the daughter 18 years ago. I am starting to like her pretty much now.

 

[hfl73]

In New York it is a pretty complicated system as to what happens to hand guns after the owner passes away. You are not even allowed to legally handle a pistol here without a permit. After my father passed away I had to turn his handguns in to the local sheriffs department where they were kept until a thorough background check was made on them and the courts had to be petitioned for me to get possession of them. My mother does not have a permit and she has Alzheimer's. Therefore, I encouraged my wife to get her permit. If I should pass away she can take immediate possession of them with out any hassles and pass them on to our grandsons.

 

[CW Spook]

I've decided I really don't care what happens to my stuff. I'll be dead to this world, after all, and in a far better place. My ham radio gear and my banjos are almost as valuable as the guns I have left. All of them together won't make any real difference to my dear wife if I'm the one to go first. I'd hope my son might want to keep them, but he voted for the current occupant twice so I really don't know about him...

 

[madbuyer]

Living Trust

I'd recommend using a living trust over a will. Wills become public information to which some folks troll over to see what was in the estate.

Check your home state laws to see more details.

Pawn brokers and auctioneers are sometimes the worst common denominator when dealing with grieving, unknowing people.

Every detail of my estate is clearly outlined and approved by my wife with a witness so there is no misunderstanding who gets what.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Get a living trust will & spell out who gets what. Make sure to describe the article completely, SN, etc. Don't forget books, cameras, hunting gear, knives, etc. Some of my books are worth a tidy sum. Keith's "Sixguns" 2nd printing Circa 1954.For example.

 

[perrazi]

I keep a record of each gun, what I have in it, what it is worth now and update the first of each year. I have no heirs except my wife and have written down names of dealers and auction companies and how to contact them when the time comes. have willed one gun to a good friend. all the rest she can sell if she wants.