There is current thread that touches on what happens to the tools of a
deceased woodturner. I have thought about how Lori will dispose of mine,
but I haven't done anything about it. I like Bill's club's approach and
wonder about other's thoughts and ideas. What have you done to help your
surviving spouse? I started a separate thread so as not to imply that
the 'gloat thread' was unfair. For all I know, it may well have been
fair, even generous.

IMHO, woodturner's widows/widowers either vastly over value "My dear
Hiram's/Harriet's beloved tools" or they haven't the foggiest notion of
their worth and "I just want to get rid of all that greasy junk that
filled our garage". Thus, a problem often arises re fair play not only
to the seller, but also to the buyer. Designated gifts are notoriously
unfair to all inheritors.

I bet you all have overheard conversations like "Wish I had known. I
would have paid her twice that much for his Stubby" or "She thinks old
Hiram's tools are worth a fortune just because he prized them so. She'll
never sell 'em at that price". "Sorry Jack, I just sold all of Hiram's
tools to some nice guy who came by the house and offered to take the
entire lot off my hands. Didn't get much, but at least I got rid of
them". "I left all that up to the adjudicator and the guy at the bank,
They are experts and will get me a good price for Harriet's stuff".

Like the mortgage on our homes which is a pledge that goes beyond the
grave (mort--gage), perhaps we should give our tools and equipment some
thought ahead of time. I don't know if the 'insured replacement' value
is the same as the 'estate value', but the 'reasonable & fair value' of
the equipment in even a modest shop is surprisingly significant in most
every estate. Do you know the value of yours?

As always, my intent is to pry up your thoughts that might help somebody
besides me. I'm not trolling for trouble.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter



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