After the funeral, the two surviving children went to work sorting through the papers of their deceased father, trying to get a handle on his financial situation. They discovered three things:

1. Their dad, a retired human services worker, had accumulated remarkable wealth through conservative investments and frugal living;

2. Their dad had been generously supporting several charitable organizations;

3. Their dad had left behind no will or other instructions to guide them in the distribution of his estate.

Faced with this situation, the children decided to give a portion of their inheritance to the organizations their father had supported during his lifetime. They had to make assumptions about which organizations to help, how much he would have wanted to give, and in what proportions.

Not knowing his wishes made a tough time tougher.

This is just one of several thorny issues the surviving family faces when a loved one dies without a will. In the midst of sorrow and time pressures, difficult decisions must be made. How much better it would have been had the father taken the time to create a will.

Having an up-to-date and valid will is one of the greatest gifts any father or mother can give family members.

To help you further consider this important responsibility, contact Rosemary R. Gregory, College of Nursing, at (505) 272-0200 or rrgregory@salud.unm.edu.