You can leave your estate to a college or your Beagle. When I see what’s happening on our college campuses I’d root for the hound.

No matter if you call it a will or a trust or a bequeath, it’s all relative to your relationships.  However, if you are a sour-puss, and don’t have any relationships, you can always consider being buried wrapped in your money. Of course, then your mortician just might retire to the Riviera. Being buried with your valuables isn’t a new idea. The Pharaohs of Egypt were mummified and put under with lots of gold and jewels only to be dug up and exhibited years later in museums around the world. I’ve never heard someone at an exhibit say, “He must have been a really nice guy.”

Someone once said, “We cannot inherit the earth—we can only take it out as a loan.” My Mother used to say, “It’s better to give with a warm hand than a cold one.” I had a friend who decided not to leave anything to her beloved daughter-in-law, who had always been so kind to her because, “If my son dies, she might re-marry again, and that fellow would get my money.”
At that, I suggested to my friend, “It’s also not a good idea to leave your money to your cardiologist.”

Money can be the “root of all evil” but it doesn’t have to be. My husband, Warren used to say, “There’s never too much money, but at some point there’s enough.” I’ve never seen a headstone that says, “Joe Schmo—owner of a big stock portfolio.” However, I have often seen,
“beloved husband, father and friend.”

When Leona Helmsley died in 2007, she left $12 million to her Maltese pup, Trouble. That’s $12 million more than two of her grandchildren received. Those two contested the Will in court leading a judge to cut Trouble’s inheritance down to $2 million, and hand the grandchildren over $6 million. Not only was the Will contested, but I suspect that the Grandmother was detested.  I’m sure this ended up with major trust issues.

“ The meek shall inherit the earth.”  Ever try to tip a waiter with a handful of dirt? It’s probably a good idea not to count on an inheritance, but rather build a good life and then be pleasantly surprised.  

To quote from the book “Minx,” by Julia Quinn:  “How delightful, Dunford had just come into an unexpected inheritance. She rather hoped it was something good.  One of her friends had just unwillingly inherited thirty-seven cats.”

Be careful what you wish for!

Esther Blumenfeld