Tree Is Up and Updates

The Christmas Tree went up the day after Thanksgiving. We went to KMart on Black Friday and picked it up for half price. The tree we had last year, the lights eventually went dead. That is what happens when you use your Christmans tree for a night light for about 3 months.

 

This is our third year with a white artificial tree. I really like it.

 

This weekend, my husband and I went to my mom's house ( currently renting to my son) to pick up some of her Christmas stuff. The is a manger scene that I had put together with the the of Woolworths that I wanted to display at my house.

 

Since we had my daughter's truck we decided to go through all of the remaining boxes of my mom's stuff. Initially, I thought I neded to keep some if not most of her things. My way of hanging on I guess. But, it has been six months since she passed and I know feel differently. All of the boxes of the Early American Prescut ( there were two truck loads) were sent to Goodwill.

 

Then I went through the remaining bags of clothes and other household items that were in her garage and went to the Goodwill too. All in all, almost four truckloads of stuff went to Goodwill. It was bittersweet, but I feel like a weight has been lifted. I did save her Christmas stuff and what I don't want I am letting the kids pick out what they want.

 

Sunday marked a year since my dad passed. We did not do anything special, although I thought I might. The day was more for reflection than anything else. Plus, dad was not the type for any attention when he was living. In fact, one of his last wishes was that he be buried in Wisconsin without ceremony or anyone there. He stated he wanted to leave this world like he entered it, "alone!"

 

Tomorrow is probate court. I have no idea what to expect and even after asking the paralegal, I still have no idea. Curiously enough, the judge presiding is the same judge who presided over the Casey Anthony case. The honorable Belvin a Perry. The paralegal did say dress appropriately ( not in beach wear) duh.... And remove all sharp items from your purse.

 

I hope after tomorrow we can move forward regarding mom's estate. But, I won't count my chickens before they hatch.

 

Rain, Rain Go Away

Our area is experiencing a 3-4 day rain-a-thon.  Steady showers day and night.  Tomorrow  there will be more rain but with storms.  I don't mind the rain, its just that I am not that motivated when it is overcast and wet outside. Today I baked a cake and worked on some eBay listings.  Oh, I did get laundry done too. 


Tonight is our second night of FPU with Dave Ramsey.  Over the weekend, my husband and I reviewed and discussed the "Quick Budget" that is part of week one.  We spent two hours looking at what our monthly bills are ( auto insurance, cable, phone, gas, tolls, groceries, etc.).  That has NEVER happened before! Usually it was me juggling and deciding what and who gets paid.  Just to have hubs in the mix as an active participant is such a treat for me.  Woo Hoo!! 


We surmised that our budget will be in a state of "flux" until possibly the end of the year.  We are hoping that mom's estate will finally be done with probate.  Until that is done, I hesitate to move any of our savings to our 6 months emergency fund.  I am hoping not to put any more money into probate but we will see. 


We calculated that we will need $18,000.00 for our 6 month emergency fund.  That's a lot of moolah!  In order to accomplish this we will be diverting our retirement contributions to the emergency fund. That will be a drop in the bucket, but we are BOTH motivated to get it done.  After our trip to Las Vegas (booked before we started FPU) we will find more ways to build that emergency fund.  We will not be giving up cable.  Or the internet.  Hubs loves is DIY shows!
And I tend to watch too much reality TV.  But, I like it. :)


It is looking like we will again spend at our around $600.00 for groceries again this month.  Maybe that is our magic number...... But, will try again to get it down next month.   Our eating out is only at about $150.00 this month.  That is low for us.  We have definitely spent more!  I guess we feel a sense of entitlement to eat out.  Or maybe it is just me!  But, we have definitely done well in that category.

Met With The Estate Lawyer

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This morning, I met with an estate lawyer regarding my mom's estate.  Wow.  I am overwhelmed with all
the information that she provided.  There is a lot to do both on her part and mine.  I had no idea!

But, I feel that I am in good hands and it will all eventually work out.  I provided her with wills and death certificates for both mom and dad.  This will help secure their house as an asset.  I also have to get her house inspected and evaluated for current worth.  I need to do this in 6 months from her day of death.  This will help with capital gains taxes when and if I sell it.  The taxes will be based on the current value, not the original value of the house when she and dad bought it.

Once I am approved as "executor" by the probate court I will be granted access to mom's accounts.  Then I can officially obtain access to her accounts and safety deposit box.  At some point those funds will go into an estate account and once everyone is paid, I will then have access to the funds.  Should take 4-6 months.  I think.

Honestly, it was so much information ( I took notes and the lawyer provided a 5 page outline of our meeting)  that I will be calling them back with questions.    Luckily, I am on mom's checking account and this provides me with the funds to finance this endeavor.  Lawyers ain't cheap!

(Sigh)  Tomorrow after work, I am meeting with mom's financial planner.  Since she knows all about her money she can help me decide what to do and to help transfer her IRA's to me without having to pay taxes.  We are also going to evaluate my budget and see the long term outlook on when and if I can retire.

More stuff to pull together for tomorrow's meeting.

What are your experiences with probate and estate lawyers?