This is going to be morbid topic but it is something to think about. It seems like I've been surrounded by death lately and this has made me think about what will happen to my stuff if I do past. I'm sure there are other people who are just like me; I jumped head first in to this hobby and have spent thousands of dollars. I have guns that may not be seen as nothing more then just stuff with little value but to me, they have a lot of sentimental value to me. I also have a 1974 comet that may not be worth much but to me, this is my first car I bought with my hard earn money. If I past unexpectedly, I would want my stuff to go people who I would hope they care for my stuff just has much I do and hope no one fights over my stuff. I had a conversation with my father-in-law a few months back about making a will, and he told me stories where people made wills on pieces of napkins or on cardboard boxes worth millions of dollars. A few days ago, my best friend's father-in-law past away and he didn't have a will. He has a very big collection of guns and because of this, his kids are fighting over who gets his stuff. It's very sad but this would have been avoid if he had a will to tell everyone who gets what. I think tonight I'm going to sit down and write something up. Just something to think about because no one knows when their last day will be.
 
Well, this leaves a lot on the table, but allow me to expound on what I have done.

I have been a licensed amateur operator for near 50 years (I'm 76 years old). I have more stuff amateur related than I ever had guns, powder or air. In the last 6 months or so (spurned on by one of my closest friends coming down with colon cancer), I have taken down my tower and beam, sold or given away a whole bunch of the things I just couldn't part with, and ridded myself of a lot of things others would scorn about. In my case, this was an easy task as I have a decent mobile installation as described here:(k0bg.com). I lookout this as a win-win!

I do have a will with proper division of monetary things—always a good idea! That will, plus a few additional codicils, spell out where some of the more esoteric items should go, and to whom in some cases. But probably the most important part of all? Everything else goes to my favorite charity. What they do with my stuff is their business, as I will be long gone, and on to better things.
 
It's good that you are planning. I could do a long post on why you should have a will and also some other things like a durable power of attorney and a medical directive or living will. That's way beyond the scope of this forum. You could do a will yourself but you are well advised to have a lawyer do it for you. Most do not charge tons of money to do it and it will withstand a challenge much better. Cars and guns and other personal property are specific bequests and can be listed in the will however I prefer to handle it a different way. I suggest, if legal in your location, to say in the will that you have a separate list of items that you want to go to specific people. That way all of this need not be in the will directly. You can update your list from time to time and because it is a separate document it never has to be seen by probate authorities.
There is more that your attorney could/should explain to you.
 
IF you should actually decide to plan ahead, depending how much "stuff" you have in your estate should make you come to decision tree.
Bunch of "stuff", go to attorney or other professional to do estate plan and then attorney to write will.


Little "stuff" get out a piece of paper andhandwrite your will
All handwritten.. . . ALL

I understand it is best if you have a witness sign attesting to your signature.

I ain't no lawyer and so if you are concerned you need to find one, preferably one that knows estate law.

We almost all drive a car and so our time could come on any given day, no matter our age or physical condition.

For the oldsters among us, Mr. heart could quit just any minute.
Of course I think the statistics say someone in their 40s will not survive a heart attack, more than us oldsters. Guess their heart has less experience.
 
"RidinLou"IF you should actually decide to plan ahead, depending how much "stuff" you have in your estate should make you come to decision tree.
Bunch of "stuff", go to attorney or other professional to do estate plan and then attorney to write will.



I understand it is best if you have a witness sign attesting to your signature.

I ain't no lawyer and so if you are concerned you need to find one, preferably one that knows estate law.


You could also have it Notorized