Page 25 - Senior Times South Central Michigan June 2021 - 28-06

Ask the
Senior Times - June 2021
Page 25
ATTORNEY
Michael Walling, Special to Senior Times MULTIPLE BENEFICIARIES
QUESTION: Our Aunt just passed away and left us the farm. There are three of us. None of us can agree on anything. We are fighting over every- thing from running the farm to sell- ing it. What can we do?
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ANSWER: That’s a tough one. I’m sure when your Aunt passed away
she did not believe that you would be fighting all of the time. She probably thought, “My nieces and nephews always loved the farm. I will leave it to them.” She probably thought that with a smile on her face.
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Because you are all three legal own- ers of the farm, that creates a problem because no one person can do anything without the other two agreeing. You could survey the farm into three sepa- rate parcels and then deed one parcel to each of you. Maybe one of you could buy the other two out? I’m not sure. As a last resort, you may have to file some- thing in court. The judge has the legal authority to order a split, etc. Maybe you can all three reach an agreement and the judge will order it.
about our kids. They don’t fight over things.” If I had a nickel for every time I heard that...
MICHAEL B. WALLING
Elder Law Attorney
Author of "Ask the Attorney"
Michael B. Walling is an Elder
Law attorney with an advance Master of Laws Degree. He is the Managing attorney of the Elder Law Center and the law firm of Michael B. Walling, PLC. Mr. Walling is also a part-
time Professor at Western Michigan University. Please send any questions you would like addressed to the Elder Law Center, 1662 East Centre Avenue, Portage, Michigan, 49002. You may also call (269) 324-7344 to set up a free initial consultation. This column is intended for general information pur- poses only and should not be consid- ered as legal advice to any particular person.
Joanna Stelloh Phelps, Special to Senior Times
MICHAEL B. WALLING, PLC
Wills • Trusts • Powers of Attorney
Lady Bird Deeds • Nursing Home Planning
Don't Lose Everything You Have To the Nursing Home
I can help you save up to 100% of your assets.
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Let me help you properly draft and fund a trust before you or your spouse enter a nursing home; it could save you over $50,000!
For all of the readers: Think about this when you leave property to more than one person. I see this all of
the time. It can tear families apart! Whenever I bring this up during an estate planning meeting, the clients always say, “Oh we don’t have to worry
Cooking
EXTRA CHEESY BEER SOUP
Wisconsin celebrates ‘June Dairy Days’ so why not celebrate along with them by using delicious dairy products. This soup uses several cheeses, and you can customize those to suit your taste.
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
Pinch of black pepper
Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
2-3 tablespoons spreadable sharp
Instructions:
In stockpot, melt butter; add onions and celery and sauté until tender, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle with Wondra and stir, continuing to cook another minute. Stir in beer, chicken stock, and sea- sonings, and bring to a boil. Reduce to low and gradually stir in cheeses until melted and heated through. If too thick, add more stock or beer to reach desired consistency. Serve topped with more shredded cheese, bacon, croutons, etc.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
One-half small onion, diced
1 stalk celery, finely diced
2 tablespoons Wondra (or flour)
6 ounces of dark beer (or your choice) 1-1⁄2 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon mustard
1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder
1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
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cheese (like Merkt’s)
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Sven & Dash taking a brake on Best Friends Day.