The Laughing Wolf

Matters of Life & Death: Lists

As a follow-up to http://laughingwolf.net/archives/000993.htmlmy post of yesterday, I was reminded later of the need to discuss lists. Having a list of who you want to get various things is good. Having someone demand a list of all assets is often a bad thing. My take on it is that if there is no legal requirement to do so, and you are properly indemnified, tell whomever asks for such to take a hike. Lawyers will often ask for it so they can read it (at $XXX.XX per hour) and find ways to get involved and stay involved (at $XXX.XX per hour). Not good, unless there is a specific issue that you do want or need a legal opinion. Your estate, or that which you are executing, is none of anyone else’s business. My estate is none of anyone else’s business, either, and I don’t share. I do, however, try to keep a list of major things with photographs so that I can document to my insurance company what I have and in what condition, for purposes of replacement if lost, stolen, damaged, etc. That is a good thing to do, so long as no one has any access to it except in the event of true need. Beware those who try to request, strongly request, coerce, shame, guilt, or otherwise get such a list without demonstrated need. They do not have your best interest at heart.

LW