I've had a couple of major surgeries that has me thinking about the disposition of my guns. My wife doesn't like firearms but tolerates them because I do. Neither of my daughters are likely to want them. So, I have a database of my guns and have decided to include an estimated retail value of each of the guns so my wife will have an idea of value for disposition purposes (most likely at wholesale prices). There is only one rifle that I want to stay in the family, if not immediate family, then extended family.
List of my guns for wife
- Thread starter BarboursvilleBill
- Start date
AlexanderA
Member
One of the routine things in a divorce is "discovery." If your wife's lawyer is worth his/her salt, they will forthwith file a motion for discovery, asking, among other things, for a detailed list of all your guns along with valuations. It will not behoove you to lie or to try to hide assets. Doing so will only dig your hole deeper.
My advice to any gun owner is to do everything you can to keep your wife happy, so she won't be tempted to leave. Divorce, particularly for older people, often amounts to economic suicide (for both parties).
Miami_JBT
Member
G. Gordon Liddy, as a prohibited person owned no firearms. But his wife had a hell of a collection.
entropy
Member
Keep a list in the safe with the values, and you should have already made arrangements for their distribution in your will, or for a trusted (younger) friend to assist her with liquidating any not being passed on to family and friends. It is customary to one this person a choice of one of the guns for their assistance.
Another thing to consider is asking a trusted local gun shop to sell them on commission, or offer to buy them outright after you're gone.
Buzznrose
Member
Agree…but a will is an important document regardless your age if you have specific goals or plans for your assets after death or incapacitation.
Buzznrose
Member
And ultimately, the ONLY way to ensure possessions are distributed or given away per your institution is to give them away yourself…while you are still alive and capable.
Anchorite
Member
And you expect your heirs to fight over you stuff. But why would you care? You’ll be six feet under….or in an ornate vase on the mantle.
Seriously…..failing to plan is planning to fail. The best estate plans are in place and set in motion long before someone passes. Probably the simplest strategy is to give your stuff away before the inevitable begins to happen.
A full 95% of the problems I see are with real property and the Cadillac title that has to be resolved with the state department of revenue.
I could go on about the department of revenue, but that is soooo off topic.
Ks5shooter
Contributing Member
Sell then all and enjoy the funds.Most heirs could care less about your guns.And will probably sell them for cheap.
old lady new shooter
Member
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- Apr 26, 2015
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- 30,655
A trust is a good way to keep knowledge of your estate confined to your heirs and your attorney.
old lady new shooter
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Depends on what state they are in. In a community property state, if purchased during the marriage not by pre-marriage or individually inherited funds kept separate, yes, they are also hers.
from https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance/which-states-are-community-property-states/, look for the actual current law in your state in case this isn't up to date:
Community Property State List
- Arizona
- California
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Five other states—Alaska, Florida, Kentucky, South Dakota, and Tennessee—have an opt-in community property law that allows such a division of property if both parties agree.2
Registered domestic partners who live in California, Nevada, or Washington are also subject to community property laws.
My wife occasionally asks how many guns I own now and I mumble a number. She's not antigun, she still owns the Colt 357 she owned when we met and regularly shoots with me. She especially likes shooting steel. I think she is just wants to have an idea of the magnitude of my illness!
My buddy, who just died Monday at the age of 88, used to sit at the dining room table with about 6 guns in varying stages of disassembly/repair. His wife would often ask, "How many guns do you have?" As he looked around the table he would reply, "Maybe 6." (He owned dozens)
Anchorite
Member
You are correct, and there are a multitude of varieties of trusts. I just don’t generally counsel clients to creat a trust “just for their guns.” Considering that a trust is required to have a federal tax ID and be funded, it’s not exactly the best way to keep your guns from prying eyes, if someone really wants to know what’cha got. They are also subject to litigation discovery, both civil and criminal.
Sometimes - less is more. And when the testator is dead and gone, it ain’t their problem anymore.
Bottom line - pay that consult/retainer and hire a lawyer in your jurisdiction for up-to-date advice for your specific situation. That’s the best advice I can give.
doubleh
Member
I am amazed at some or the posts I read on the internet. Check your state's laws and plan accordingly with everything you own. If possible give every item of your personal property to the person you want to have it. My state has probate and my wife and I have already made every effort to avoid it. No fuss, no muss for your heirs to squabble about.
I am also amazed at the amount of distrust between man and wife I see posted. My wife knows what I payed for every gun I own although I imagine she has forgotten most as she doesn't care. I am the same way about her shoes except for knowing she has many pairs because I built most of the shelving to hold them. Same for her quilting and sewing supplies. It has always been OUR money, not your money and my money and no secrets about what we spend individually. We may discuss a purchase if it's large but that's it. We know what we can afford and stay within that amount.
I am also amazed at the amount of distrust between man and wife I see posted. My wife knows what I payed for every gun I own although I imagine she has forgotten most as she doesn't care. I am the same way about her shoes except for knowing she has many pairs because I built most of the shelving to hold them. Same for her quilting and sewing supplies. It has always been OUR money, not your money and my money and no secrets about what we spend individually. We may discuss a purchase if it's large but that's it. We know what we can afford and stay within that amount.
.308 Norma
Member
Me too.
Exactly! WE know what WE can afford, and WE stay within that amount. And that applies to guns as well - which for my wife and me are "large" purchases that usually warrant a discussion.
However, as I've mentioned before, my wife also is into guns, hunting, shooting and carrying. So, when I buy a gun for my wife as a gift, she knows exactly what she's getting because that above mentioned "discussion" is so that I know which gun to buy for her.
JTHunter
Member
I believe that ILL-ANNOY should be added to that list.
doubleh
Member
delete
doubleh
Member
I understand. I don't go all Mark-Mark.Me too.
Exactly! WE know what WE can afford, and WE stay within that amount. And that applies to guns as well - which for my wife and me are "large" purchases that usually warrant a discussion.
However, as I've mentioned before, my wife also is into guns, hunting, shooting and carrying. So, when I buy a gun for my wife as a gift, she knows exactly what she's getting because that above mentioned "discussion" is so that I know which gun to buy for her.
Sorry Mark, just pulling your chain a bit.