Topic: How To Invest

What is Pat’s commentary for the week of September 10, 2013?

Article Excerpt

My work with portfolio management clients sometimes gives me a window into problems that can arise with the death of the parents and the distribution of their personal belongings and financial assets. For instance, siblings may assume they were supposed to get particular items of jewelry or furniture. When they learn that somebody else asked first, they can harbor a grudge that lasts for decades. The best way to spare your family this problem is to head it off while you’re still alive. Tell your kids that you want to be fair to everybody. Ask them to send you a note or an email if they want to express interest in any particular article. But don’t put too much emphasis on who asked first, and don’t feel you need to rush into making a list of who gets what. Some of your children may be slow to think of what items matter most to them. Or they may feel shy…