THANKS What a whirlwind the month of March has been. Just when I thought I was finally getting on top of things I find a gazillion other things to do. But that's life isn't it. The act of getting up everyday and meeting the challenges that present themselves is the very definition of meaningful life – living. So, how sweet it is! (Smile)
Vicki, Maxine and I spent some time at the National Harbor this past weekend just walking around. What a beautiful place it's becoming. For those of you that don't live in the area, make a point of getting over that way when you're in town. The National Mall and Georgetown are not all there is. Walking was nice but a visit to Peeps candy store for Easter goodies and candy munchies was the real motivation for being there.
Thank you all for visiting Betton Standard Time over the past month. To be sure I sent out a number of invitations but was pleasantly surprised that word didn't stop there. my email box was flooded with notes from so many others that found the site. Thanks so much for stopping by. It was interesting to note that most of you were shy about leaving comments on the site but responded back by direct mail. I'm not sure that was because you couldn't figure out how to post your comments or just preferred email. In truth it doesn't matter. I was just happy to hear from you.
"HEIR PROPERTY" I been spending some time working with a number of family members on trying to get timber cut on some family owned property in Alabama and have been absolutely amazed at how complex business can become when dealing with "heir property." Have you heard the term before? It's what locals, at least in Alabama, call property jointly held by the descendants of deceased owners that failed to leave a clear will or property disposition instructions. Apparently a lot of people find themselves in this situation. Unfortunately, resolution of rights across the families of multiple children, more often than not, ends up in endless bickering. In too many cases this bickering ends in probate court where the property is arbitrary distributed and or liquidated to small gain of any of the parties involved or loss of the property all together resulting in little or no benefit to family.
Fortunately our family situation has not resulted in this kind of turmoil. This is in some part due to the fact that most parties involved have been clear headed and the profit to be had is minimal. However, given the expanding interest in the property in our family that fits the "heir property" definition, it is time to develop a mechanism to get matters under control. Are any of you in this situation? How did you handle it? A land trust has been suggested as one mechanism. It will require some meeting and organizing but it seems like a solid move. What do you think?