Wishing everyone a Wonderful, Happy, Prosperous New Year with a “heads up” to kick it off!
I have mentioned several times how important it was as we age to make sure our wishes for what we “leave behind” are carried out.
I know many people who don’t have what they consider an “estate.” They don’t seem to understand that anything they own, be it as simple as a car, their furnishings, their clothes etc. all have a value.
In the Review Journal last month, there was a report about a county employee who had stolen several thousands of dollars from the “estate” of people who passed away Those individuals passed away without a Will, thus their belongings fell into the hands of this Clark County probate person.
Allow me to make some suggestions as we head into 2026. If you do not have family or friends that you wish to leave items to, please consider charities and/or shelters for the needy in our community.
For example, you can gift your car to Opportunity Village. How about gifting your furniture to any of the local shelters? Clothes, linins and household goods can always be gifted to shelters like Shade Tree who care for battered and/or abused women and children.
Perhaps donating to Catholic Charities or your place of worship. I’m sure they would know who in their congregation could use a little help.
Here’s one last idea for you to think about. It was a community club function I participated in years ago and it stills leaves me with a smile whenever I think about it.
I was part of a women’s club that planned a “kid’s needs & wants project” for low-income area schools. We collected/purchased toys and clothes in all sizes for the age groups as well as non-perishable food goods.
Once collected, we loaded our cars and created a “caravan” delivering boxes and boxes to various select schools given us by the School District.
Imagine the smiles on the faces of those children where they were given gifts by the teachers in charge. With that picture in your mind, would you worry about who was going to get your “stuff?”
Lastly, I also recommend asking a trusted neighbor or friend to agree to hold a copy of your wishes, once you have passed, so that those, whoever they may be can benefit your last wishes.
