List of my guns for wife

[KyJim]

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.

 

[AlexanderA]

My wife didn't know all the guns I owned. Now that she has left and filed divorce, I am quite glad she doesn't. Make a list for yourself and keep it updated. Include date bought, place, how much etc. Any information you want. Keep copies in multiple places so it can be found only by the people who deserve it and when they deserve it. Otherwise I would not give her any specific information. Buy a safe, lock them up, and don't give the combination to her.

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]

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Since she is your wife, I believe they are legally also her guns unless she is a prohibited person. Just sayin...

G. Gordon Liddy, as a prohibited person owned no firearms. But his wife had a hell of a collection.

 

[entropy]

Buy a safe.
Lock them up, and assure her that they are safely put away.

I would also want to know why she wants the list, but thats just me.
My wife has complete access to all of my firearms because she shoots them and enjoys them too.

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]

You're 80 they should be listed in your will anyhow.

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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

People think if there is a will they have to open an estate and probate the will. Not so. It’s one of the most prevalent misconceptions I encounter as a lawyer.

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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Since she is your wife, I believe they are legally also her guns unless she is a prohibited person. Just sayin...

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.​

 

[Barmcd]

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!

 

[Sniper66]

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]

A trust is a good way to keep knowledge of your estate confined to your heirs and your attorney.

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]

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.

 

[.308 Norma]

I am also amazed at the amount of distrust between man and wife I see posted.

Me too.

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.

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]

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.​

I believe that ILL-ANNOY should be added to that list.

 

[doubleh]

delete

 

[doubleh]

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.

I understand. I don't go all Mark-Mark. Sorry Mark, just pulling your chain a bit.

 

[kimberkid]

my wife has asked me to provide her with a list of my guns. if she were outright anti-guns, i wouldn't give it to her, but she's tolerant, not an activist. although she's been to the range with me and actually shot a few of my pieces, that has only happened once, out of curiosity--both the visit and the shooting. she's a European.
because she is susceptible to legacy news, especially the "mass shooting" drills, my concern is if she were to turn against me some day and call in the sheriff, for example, to pick up my guns, i'd be out of luck. i think she may know it's "love me, love my guns," more or less; in any case, i don't want to risk losing my "baker's dozen" pieces.
also interested in suggestions about just what information elements i should provide to her? location? serial numbers? i don't have a safe, and my pieces (a shotgun, a few rifles, handguns) are scattered about my workshop and home office, closets, etc. one or two of them are nearly collector's items.
an off-site storage facility would cost me more than $100/month--i would feel vulnerable using one, and not having my guns at hand.
i live in a single-family home in a semi-rural area near a small city. i am eighty, and currently we are without a dog, although will have one again in a few months. i would appreciate any suggestions you may have.

I can understand your wife’s request. I’m only 66 but have had a couple hospital ER “visits” that the surgeon has told her that she should notify the family and if I survive the night it will be a miracle.
Needless to say, the lord didn’t call me home … and besides, I still have stuff to do. But the truth is we never know.
My wife knows I’ve got an eclectic collection I’ve been working on since before we were married and I’ve always told her what the actual cos of each and every one was, but she also knows that prices fluctuates and I don’t want her to be taken advantage of when I’m gone.

 

[Hookeye]

Just because a person may not care about what items their partner has, that doesn't mean their lawyer (down the road) won't.

 

[Ignition Override]

My hand-written list is to state approx. Current market values.

My son is the only nearby family member besides my wife.
1) He’s had little interest in shooting, has never owned a gun.
2) Has never owned a safe; he has two young sons and he will never keep a gun in his house, at least until they are years older .

Therefore my wife would probably give my guns away to a friend of mine and shoot some of them before he sells them.

Most people don't want the hassle of figuring out Gunbroker etc and also worry about figuring out Marxist laws in the Northwest Axis (west and south of the Cascades), IL, New England etc.

 

[Barmcd]

Had a client once that wanted a will drafted. Went through all that and learned he was a gun owner.

He had very specific plans for all his wares. He was scared she’d give them away for far less than what he paid. Or sell them if he passed - and he didn't want her to know what he’d paid for them.

Take that to heart, fellas. Don’t say I didn’t warn you all.

My biggest fear, my wife will sell my guns and motorcycles for what I told her they cost!

 

[plainsdrifter]

Get a safe and don't give her the combo.
My wife and I share a safe, she keeps jewelry in it , I keep guns. The only problem I have with it is she will notice a new gun right away. OK, she does have one she bought herself so I think we're good.

 

[InTheSwamp]

I would give her the generic Bing AI answer (I just asked...lol)