Learn how to sign as someone’s power of attorney to avoid personal liability.
Learn how to sign as someone’s power of attorney to avoid personal liability.
I met with a nice fellow who had moved down the age continuum quite a ways. He told me a story about when he was in the army, out on a two week training maneuver. The weather was terrible, the conditions were awful, and everyone was miserable almost all of the time. They would cut down a tree and light up the stump to try and stay warm, to no avail. They slept off and on, but mostly off and usually wet. One day, when he was waiting in the chow line, he kept hearing the cook whistle and then sing a variety of tunes and songs. When he got up to the head of the line, the cook smiled and handed him what passed for food. My new friend passed back a few choice words and expressions and then asked the cook how on earth he could be so happy. The cook smiled and said simply that he figured it took about the same amount of energy to be miserable as it did to be happy and he’d just as soon be happy than miserable. The words from 60 years ago have stuck with my friend and he was happy to pass them on to me. I wish I had met him a few years ago. It is so simple.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:25 — 45.2MB)
Bob and Ted field this weeks listener questions.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:12 — 45.0MB)
Bob and Ted discuss tips on handling custody arrangements during the holidays.
Nice people stop by my office to take care of their estate planning. Recently, a client shared a letter with me. It was a letter to his grandson. He wanted it delivered after he died, along with a check from the sale of his house.
“Dear Ben:
I want you to know how much you have meant to me. When I first held you in my arms, you were 2 days old. I couldn’t believe you were my grandson. What a miracle. As the years passed by, I always cherished our time together. Remember our first Mariner game? You were eight and we sat right up close. Between the pop, two hotdogs and I’m not sure what else, we had such a great time together. I always appreciated that as you grew older, you still took time to attend a Mariner game or two with me each spring. It meant a lot to me, especially when I knew you had a lot of other things to do and people (girls) to see. I don’t think I ever said thanks, but then I don’t think it would have sounded right; we were just spending time together. When your grandmother died a few years ago, those baseball games meant even more.
I was very proud of you when you stayed on the soccer team the year your dad died, and I still remember the year you won the team inspirational award. You inspired me. When you graduated from high school and then again, from college, I wanted to tell you that you were my hero. You were. Now, you are married and you have three kids, and what a terrific husband and father you are. If your dad were still around, I know he’d be so happy with the way you have turned out. You are receiving a check with this letter. I wish it could be more, but the check is not important. Just remember how much I love you and that I am your biggest fan. I’ll be rooting for you wherever it is I have gone. Love, your grandpa.”
This letter made me think. If I were Ben, I think I would feel better about the words than the dollars. How about you? Have you written a letter to your grandchild? What would you say?