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palmislandRandy

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A recent death in our family prompted my wife & I to talk about estate planning & updating our wills. The thought of my garden/plant collection & what will become of it when I'm no longer in the picture came to mind. I definitely don't want my obsession to become a burden on my wife & family, as I know the time involved in maintenance . I do want what desirable palms & plants that can be transplanted to ultimately end up in a public park. I'm also going to allocate funds to properly move them & to restore the areas where plantings were removed. I for sure don't want them sold, but prefer them to be donated. How do you value plants for an estate? Has anyone already done or thought about this? What else should I allow for?

-Randy

"If you need me, I'll be outside" -Randy Wiesner Palm Beach County, Florida Zone 10Bish

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Randy, there has been a least one, maybe two threads on this subject. Great reading. I'll see if I can find them. And hopefully people will add new comments in your thread. I love this discussion. And I actually used to lose sleep on this one. I had similar thoughts to yours. It was only after reading "The World Grows Round My Door" by David Fairchild, in his last chapter, did he help me find perspective on the matter.

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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Money or palms, it's foolish to think we can control things from the grave. If you want to donate your palms or your money, do it before you go when you can take pleasure in others' enjoyment of your gifts.

My estate planning has no strings attached. Heirs can enjoy what they are given, or they can sell and find their own version of happiness with the proceeds. The meaning of a gift is not the gift itself (and our desire to preserve something that once was ours), but the goodhearted intentions toward those we love, and our wish that they be happy after we are gone.

Then again, we could plan the biggest, baddest viking funeral ever -- stack up the palms on a giant barge, light 'em up, push it out to sea, torch everything, remains included. Whatever approach works for you... :winkie:

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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It's hard to place a value on something like a palm collection for purposes of an inheritance.

Kim's idea is the best.

We are all just tenants even when we call ourselves "owners."

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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Money or palms, it's foolish to think we can control things from the grave. If you want to donate your palms or your money, do it before you go when you can take pleasure in others' enjoyment of your gifts.

My estate planning has no strings attached. Heirs can enjoy what they are given, or they can sell and find their own version of happiness with the proceeds. The meaning of a gift is not the gift itself (and our desire to preserve something that once was ours), but the goodhearted intentions toward those we love, and our wish that they be happy after we are gone.

Then again, we could plan the biggest, baddest viking funeral ever -- stack up the palms on a giant barge, light 'em up, push it out to sea, torch everything, remains included. Whatever approach works for you... :winkie:

Kim, I'm trying to make a few prearrangements to my wife's life easier before I hit the grave. Why would I give my palms away before I go? At what point in my life should I give everything away? I don't know if I'm going to get hit in the head by a coconut tomorrow or live to be 100. I'm going to enjoy my palms to my very last days. Believe me, my family members aren't going to argue over who's getting a particular Dypsis or Licuala. :crying: I just don't want to burden my wife with all my plants & palms.

I'm gifting them along with enough money to transplant them & tag them, no strings attached. I thought I needed a value for donation by the estate, but apparently it's not necessary.

It's not a pleasant subject, but a necessary one. Ooooo, maybe a viking funeral in the lake. :bummed:

"If you need me, I'll be outside" -Randy Wiesner Palm Beach County, Florida Zone 10Bish

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I have another slant on this. I have seen a lot of gardens "after" whatever and one thing that you might expect is that they almost always change drastically.

Some remain as "gardens" either with new design or as the original but both of these options are rare. Most suffer from neglect, palms die, get sold, or cut down and "simple" plants replace them.

One good example of a garden being saved is a current topic here on PT where the U.A. Young collection is being preserved in another garden almost a generation after he died.

There are some great stories here on PT too where just a few palms are left from previously very large gardens, both domestic and commercial.

My involvement at every level of these possibilities has given me some ideas on the subject that you may be interested in. The best one is that whatever you do make sure you have fun! :)

I DIG PALMS

Call me anytime to chat about transplanting palms.

305-345-8918

https://www.facebook...KenJohnsonPalms

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A couple thoughts...if your intent is to give the palms to some public park, you may want to make arrangemants now because the municipality may not want them in the future...also the palms may NOT be a burden on your wife, she may care for them lovingly in your memory.

The weight of lies will bring you down / And follow you to every town / Cause nothin happens here

That doesn't happen there / So when you run make sure you run / To something and not away from

Cause lies don't need an aero plane / To chase you anywhere

--Avett Bros

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...we could plan the biggest, baddest viking funeral ever -- stack up the palms on a giant barge, light 'em up, push it out to sea, torch everything, remains included. Whatever approach works for you... :winkie:

Kim's idea is the best.

hunter s. thompson had some pretty badass last wishes... he wanted his cremated remains to be shot out of a massive cannon with fireworks

Grant
Long Beach, CA

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Randy, like you said in your PM, good thing you are meeting your lawyer next week. :) My wife is an estate planning attorney and got a kick out of the responses you got here.

Len

Vista, CA (Zone 10a)

Shadowridge Area

"Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are."

-- Alfred Austin

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If your rare palms set seeds, sprout them and give them away.

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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Randy, I know nothing about you, your family, or your property. My response was philosophy; your questions are about process. For that, I agree, consult your estate attorney who will know laws and tax advantages that will apply to your personal situation. My response was simply a modified version of "You can't take it with you."

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Randy, I know nothing about you, your family, or your property. My response was philosophy; your questions are about process. For that, I agree, consult your estate attorney who will know laws and tax advantages that will apply to your personal situation. My response was simply a modified version of "You can't take it with you."

After I'm gone I want my wife to fill my pockets full of palm seeds. That way I CAN take it with me :)

See you in Florida, Randy

"If you need me, I'll be outside" -Randy Wiesner Palm Beach County, Florida Zone 10Bish

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As Kim sagely notes, the reach of the dead hand from the grave is limited.

Accept that, and try to make the live hand reach more.

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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This was a great ending to a great book. If you haven't read "The World Grows Round My Door" by David Fairchild you have missed a treat. But should you not , here is how he summarized his feelings about his garden, "The Kampong."

post-1207-0-48181500-1396048118_thumb.jp

post-1207-0-30685200-1396048133_thumb.jp

post-1207-0-23615200-1396048148_thumb.jp

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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Randy:

I've had a lot of occasion to think about the hereafter lately.

And, donations.

I'd donate what you want to donate now, and be prepared for a while to wait. Not all donees are equal, and some don't want what you have when you want to give it. I just gave a big donation to a local public high school for their hort program. I accept the reality that the palms may get the axe someday, though they will also likely gain a constituency as they grow larger and more beautiful. I plan to hedge by donating to as many places as possible and hoping to inspire others.

Accept the reality (most likely) that the palms in your yard will stay there. If you get enough time before The Inevitable, you might be able to arrange some digging and giving away or selling. Except for cycads, I would not expect to get much for dug palms. That said, someone like Ken could make a sale happen.

Also keep in mind that minds change. Someone who's not into the palms now may change their minds. I've seen that happen a few times.

Hope you're okay, and in good health.

dave

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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Thanks Dave,

No health issues for me & I plan to stick around for quite a while. I'm going to be 59 soon & just wanted to be a responsible adult. :bemused: I have no interest selling my palms & this isn't about money. I just couldn't imagine them being chainsawed if they can be easily moved to be enjoyed by others. What brought this all about was the recent passing of my father in law. He had everything pre-planned & I saw how much that had taken the pressure off the family.

-Randy

"If you need me, I'll be outside" -Randy Wiesner Palm Beach County, Florida Zone 10Bish

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Ah, good.

That always helps, but doesn't cure all.

My observation is that unless you can get a city to take your place as a park, or get younger relatives to cherish and keep it, the palms will last as long as you do.

I expect the chorus of chainsaws after I either sell my place or go to my grave on it. Alas, but, PPP (Public Palm Places) will save the day.

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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