Making a Last Will and testament for ex JWs

by Simon 18 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Simon

  So you survived the WTS upbringing and despite a bad start managed to put your life back together and plan for the future:

  Pension planning and general finance for ex-JWs

  Sadly, you may find yourself still at a disadvantage as you lack the support group of friends and family that many rely on and could be cut-off even from immediate family.

  But it can't get any worse can it?

  Yes it can !

  Imagine, the people that refuse to even talk to you or say hello being first in line to inherit everything you own if something happened to you. Your house, your car, your savings, your investments. All theirs to go off and sing praises to Jehovah for and squander and live off.

  And even worse, who get's your kids if something happens to you? Do you want your children being brought up by your Jehovahs Witness relatives and put at risk of blood issue or just a lifetime of misery. Don't trust the courts to understand the nuances - look at Michael Jackson's kids.

  IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE A WILL !

  Not next week, next month or next year. NOW. Or at least tomorrow.

  Seriously, a home-will-kit is probably better than nothing to document your intent of who gets what and importantly who DOESN"T get anything, especially children. Even better to spend a few $$$ on getting one drawn up professionally.

  It's terrible to think what would happen to your kids if anything happened to you but it's better to plan ahead. If you have made close friends since you left, it's worth discussing things with them. It's nice to know they will be brought up in a normal life if you are not there to do it yourself.
• 

  sarahsmile

  That is very important information. Look at Michael Jacksons children. Good point.

  Sometimes a couple depends on one to live and raise the children. Anything can happen and both father and mother need to be prepared.

  It is a sad reality.
• 

  mouthy

  Excellent advice Simon.... I did mine... But I did leave some of it to my JW daughter.I made her a JW

  I am responsible for the life she is living. No she dont have anything to do with me.But I still love her.
  I do feel guilty for convincing her to believe all I taught her...I was so stupid,believed it all,
  But I think your advice is very timely.....My Thanks to you & Angie. for all you do
• 

  Simon

  I do feel guilty for convincing her to believe all I taught her...I was so stupid,believed it all

  No point beating yourself up over it - none of us can help our past, be we can learn from it for our future and help others avoid the same mistakes.
• 

  Nathan Natas

  This is EXCELLENT advice, Simon, and many XJWs still have "dubbish" thinking when it comes to personal finance. This discussion and your other discussion on pension planning may be of great benefit to people who are just now becoming AWAKE! about TTATT.

  I have heard Circuit Servants say from the Kinngdom Hall platform "if you make it you should spend it, because it will be worthless after Armageddon." Of course these Circuit Servants were parasites living off of donated money. It is interesting that the organization that doled out cash to the parasites was VERY focused on money management when it came to the accounts of The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society.
• 

  Simon

  I agree, they are very keen on pushing estate planning when it means people leaving things to THEM. I remember service-meetings where they pushed the idea of making the WTS the benficiary of your will.

  That's another way they screw people - they then steal what should go to children and relatives of the deceased.

  The get you over way they can. Only the tax-man has a nicer system worked out.
• 

  Newly Enlightened

  Good idea. Get a will. You do not want JW family giving your estate to WTBT$

  I know here in New Mexico, U.S.A if you do not make a will, your estate automatically goes to your kids first and if there is no heir then it goes to your parents [if surviving] but if not, your siblings.

  There is no way in hell that I want any of my JW family getting my property. If any heirs listed in my will do not survive me, then it goes to the St Jude's Children's research hospital. They never charge the families to treat the kids.
• 

  mind blown

  Important thread Simon

  Funny, these past couple weeks I've been doing just that. I try to update or go over mine every few years. Things change.

  If one's going "the do it yourself route" I'd suggest writing it as un-complicated/easy to understand instructions as possible and fire safe is important too.
• 

  JeffT

  Getting a lawyer to draw up a simple will shouldn't cost more than a couple of hundred dollars and it insure that its done right.
• 

  ABibleStudent

  Simon - IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE A WILL !

  Instead of making a blanket statement like make a will, there are other options that may transfer more money to heirs than to lawyers.

  At least use the internet to research wills, probate, Living Trusts, Revocable Trusts, estate planning, and assigning beneficiaries to life insurance, investment accounts, and bank accounts. The more money that you want transferred to heirs the more work you must do.

  Making a will means that your estate will go through probate and less money will go to your heirs than if a living trust or beneficiary declaration forms were completed naming who you want to receive your assets on your death from life insurance policies, investment accounts, and bank accounts. Depending on the size of your estate, tax consequences also must be taken into consideration.

  The bottom line is get over your fear of dying, research your options, ask lots of questions from a certified financial planner, and talk with your family about your estate planning options.

  Peace with you and everyone, who you love,

  Robert