Stuff

[uptomyears]

Concerning values of personal stuff. We have a personal friend that is an auctioneer. He knows the values of used stuff and from what he's seeing in this economy, stuff is going really cheap. He can't even get $100 for a primo antique dresser at auction. What are your thoughts on getting a signed appraisal list from him to value our personal and household belongings? If any questions should arise. I would bet that if you have to turn over anything, its going to auction anyway. Also, same thing with the house. I also have a friend who is a certified real estate and vehicle appraiser and auctioneer in our area. It would be hard to value our home in this economy as there are no homes for sale in are town. They are few and far between and the ones that did sell in the last couple of years went really cheap. We live in a depressed rural community of 350 people. We were valued at $100K 8 years ago, but the economy was good. Would it make sense to have an appraisal in hand if anything is challenged? Both of these folks would do this for me at no charge.
Your thoughts please.

[jribe]

Concerning values of personal stuff. We have a personal friend that is an auctioneer. He knows the values of used stuff and from what he's seeing in this economy, stuff is going really cheap. He can't even get $100 for a primo antique dresser at auction. What are your thoughts on getting a signed appraisal list from him to value our personal and household belongings? If any questions should arise. I would bet that if you have to turn over anything, its going to auction anyway. Also, same thing with the house. I also have a friend who is a certified real estate and vehicle appraiser and auctioneer in our area. It would be hard to value our home in this economy as there are no homes for sale in are town. They are few and far between and the ones that did sell in the last couple of years went really cheap. We live in a depressed rural community of 350 people. We were valued at $100K 8 years ago, but the economy was good. Would it make sense to have an appraisal in hand if anything is challenged? Both of these folks would do this for me at no charge.
Your thoughts please.

I have a couple of thoughts.. first, you would want to be careful if anyone else knows that you are close friends with these two individuals. If it comes to light of the trustee- they would most likely have an issue with it. Second, at least for the appraisal of household items- i don't think it's warranted. Just list fair prices for everything- but i don't know if it would raise a flag to have an appraiser come out for your things when it wasn't asked? And if it did come to light that you personally know the guy- that would cause some trouble.

[uptomyears]

What about stuff that isn't even ours. With 2 brothers, 5 grown kids and a barn and big garage. Our place has become a free storage facility. They all live withing a 1/4 mile radius. Makes me mad, but hubby lets them do it. Just because its here doesn't mean it ours.

[jribe]

What about stuff that isn't even ours. With 2 brothers, 5 grown kids and a barn and big garage. Our place has become a free storage facility. They all live withing a 1/4 mile radius. Makes me mad, but hubby lets them do it. Just because its here doesn't mean it ours.

if its not yours-there isn't anything to worry about. As long as it's really not yours. You don't want any issues with illegal transfers to relatives or hiding assets. Since you don't want to have that issue- it's best to have them take their stuff back. It isn't too often that someone actually comes out to inventory houses anyway. They usually only do it if there's a hint that someone's hiding something, or under valuing assets.

[uptomyears]

As I said, this is his family estate for the past 58 years. You wouldn't believe the stuff in there. It would take a year to get it all out and then they don't have anywhere to put it either. Nobody wants to get rid of anything, but they don't want to take it home either. Tried that years ago. Hubby feels obligated to store it since he inherited the house. Well if it ain't mine, it ain't mine what else can I do. I have a standing joke about it, "I'm glad its not my stuff 'cause when I die, all they have to dispose of is me and my body bag."

[keepmine]

I'd not start any formal apprasial process unless, your lawyer says do it. Just an unnecessary expense.
As you say. if it's not yours it's not yours. I'd make one last appeal to the real owners to come get it and then-well, what happens, happens. Wash your hands of it.