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Hard Topic

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Wed, 02/27/2013 - 22:06
Mak
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Joined: 03/01/2011

This is a hard topic to discuss, but it is important. How much-or little does your spouse know about what to do with your collection after you die?
A case in point, I just recently lost a very good friend. His wife knew little about his gun passion, and wanted to know even less.  She came from an East Coast "guns are bad" family, and while she tolerated, and even allowed her husband to enjoy his gun hobby, she had no idea what a can of worms she would find herself in after he died.
Amazingly, my friend had left her with no instructions, no guidance, no plan. I think he confided more in me than he ever did with her concerning his wishes. The result is that she has had several questionable people, some in the biz itself, take her for a ride. No, my deceased friend did not have any but a working man's collection-some old military rifles, a few shotguns, a number of 22's, and a smattering of handguns, mostly aged double action revolvers, but still the vultures descended.
Here are a few things I've learned.
-Make sure you tell your wife NOT to sign anything.
-Tell her exactly what you wish, and put it in writing. Please, keep it simple, don't leave a high cap semi-auto to someone in a state where it can't be owned. No, she won't share your determination "to make it happen".
-Separate the junk from the good stuff.
-If you allow her to sell, get your collection appraised and include in it a dealer price. This way she will have an idea of what to expect.

-If you can, recommend a dealer for her to work with.

-If you really do want your buddy to have that old S&W that he tried to pry out of you for 10 years, then make sure your wife understands this is your wish.
Sure, there is always more you CAN do, but if you do just these things believe me, you will make her life way easier. Its a fact of life that wives usually survive their husbands, sometimes for decades, and why not make her years a little easier to bear?

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Thu, 02/28/2013 - 07:07
#1
Marty
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Joined: 02/27/2013
I can attest to the soundness

I can attest to the soundness of Mak's advice.... 
I made a friend when I lived and worked in MN named Art (a college professor long retired and a great fisherman)  His widow  called me a few months after his passing asking for advice (He had suggested a couple friends that she could call.  A dealer had offered her $10k for his fishing and fly tying tackle....  I helped her get with reputable folks and she netted almost 10x that much.   Guns are exactly the same kind of thing (unless she is a shooter and collector too).... If you have a really good friend you know you can trust it could be as simple as asking him to help her and letting her know.   That said, truly having an appraisal and everything done would really make what is a hard time for her easy..... same thing as life insurance taking care of her while you can.  

Marty's rules of fishing #7 Fishing only with store bought flies is like trying to talk to a pretty girl through an interpreter……… it works sort of ………it will work far better if you learn the language and tie your own flies………more satisfying and effective

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Wed, 03/20/2013 - 14:04
#2
Amityslim
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Joined: 01/09/2012
Good Topic

This is timely for me. I've already sold the battle rifles and they are now in the hands of younger and probably better men. Several reasons for that,  one of which is that realistically, at my age I'm not gonna be humping it through the woods in full battle dress. But beyond that, I've simply told my wife which two friends to call on,  to help her plan out how to deal with my little collection of shooters. But in reading Mak's suggestion,  I don't think I've done enough. Who knows what kind of shape your wife will be in at that time? So rather than relying on her memory,  I think I'll write out a good set of instructions. Thanks, Mak.

Keith
NRA Benefactor Life

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