ArcaMax

I do think it is important for you to let your children know that you and your wife are doing well financially, that your wills are drawn up, and that they will inherit equally. I don’t think it’s necessary for them to see your wills.

Again – in my opinion – you should consider ways to disperse some of your estate before you die, perhaps through purchasing or helping them to purchase homes, and establishing college funds for their children.

If you do decide to disclose the particulars, do not share your bank and investment account numbers with them. These should be kept private.

Let your children and executor know where your documents are located (keep these updated with all passwords included) and make sure they can contact your lawyer and investment adviser.

Medical directives and power-of-attorney decisions are also important components of this discussion.

Dear Amy: As I drove around my area this Election Day, I had a few thoughts.

How about if we all took down every single sign and personal political flag, no matter the outcome of elections?

If we all did not know how others voted, I think we’d all get along better, and we wouldn’t feel bad about people every time we saw the hat he/she wore, the flag hanging on their garage, or the huge sign on their truck.

I used to be friendly to everyone I’d meet along a sidewalk or coming out of a store, and now I avoid those people who advertise views which are different from mine.

Political divisiveness is ruining everything. Let’s go back to only advertising our politics for a few weeks before each election — that is more than enough!

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