Over My Dead Body

[Love My Westy]

I'm not selling my '86 1 owner Westy Weekender but my wife wants me to make plans in case something should bring about our demise. My feeling is that when our estate is cleared up the Van should go to someone who is really into Vanagons and will take care of it like I have. That someone should value Vanagons enough to be willing to pay what is is actually worth and the only way I can really think to find someone like that is through an auction that deals in cars like Vanagons.

I'm not planning on dying soon, but I am 70 years old, and we both could be killed in an accident tomorrow so were just trying to do some estate planning.

Does anyone have any suggestions of who to contact?

[Abscate]

I would just pick someone on the Samba and give it away. You'll spend more on execution and legal bills trying to auction an estate item than its worth.
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.ssS!

[Zeitgeist 13]

I'm operating a free range Urban Sanctuary for lost and abandoned German vehicles.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[Tom Powell]

I'll assume that you have created a trust that has beneficiaries and an administrator. In the trust direct the administrator to advertise and sell it on TheSamba with the proceeds going to the estate.

Aloha
tp

[Merian]

saw the title and thought it was about fuel hoses


for stocks or funds there is a thing called Transfer on Death (TOD) - might work for vehicles, but dunno

you could find somebody and sell them the Van with a proviso that you retain use of it as long as you wish and possession transfers to them when you give it up or die whichever occurs first
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[campism]

You could stipulate that you be buried in it.
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

[hans j]

Viking funeral.

Or you could will it to something like the Humane Society for them to auction off and the proceeds fund them.
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1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

[mikemtnbike]

Auction it off as part of the estate with all proceeds going to the samba as a donation.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[Zeitgeist 13]

Vanagon pyre


Link


Heading for the great fuel leak in the sky...
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[Steve M.]

A planned out Will is always a good idea.

You probably have already had the same thoughts in your head so nothing new here.
The execution of the Will is usually a stressful undertaking for a surviving family member. They are going through the grief process and that lasts a little while depending on the person.
Then dividing up the benefits as has been seen from the positive and negative experiences of some families. Some people see dollar signs and others do not.

Do you have a lawyer acting out the clauses of the Will or is it going to be a family member?

If you watch TheSamba classifieds you will notice some vehicles are on there a long time. There are plenty of postings and it is nice to think they all selling, but the reality I have seen is that there are some that are repeat postings. People have the normal desire to gain back what they feel the vehicle is worth and value is real, but the potential buyers can be fickle about dropping the money for it. Selling it can be a stressful thing for a family member.

So I'm thinking the only way you are going to know it went to good dedicated individual and the proceeds go into the estate finances is for you to sell it yourself before you kick the bucket. At some point you have to mentally let go of it.
Of you can pick a family member, friend or stranger who you see is dedicated as you were and give it to them in your Will.

For me I have it known only to the person who needs to know to put a copy of the Syncro keys showing in my hand as I lay in the casket. That's more of a last laugh and it will put a smile on some faces instead of the grief they will be feeling at the time. Probably a 10mm wrench too!
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[Viking Funeral]

[Love My Westy]

If I live long enough, I may just sell it to someone I know will appreciate it, but if I die before that, we will have a or trustee (lawyer) dispose of it as I see fit.

Thanks to all of you. You have given me some things to think about. One thing is for sure, I will not be doing anything to ruin it like burying it or burning it or even offing myself in it (thats what rental cars are for). I want it to have a good home, preferably out of the rust belt.

[Tom Powell]

[carterzest]

Hans and I will help your van find a home when the time comes Brother Rich.

You're van is one of my favorite Vanagon love stories!

One owner since new.

Hoping to hook up this coming year.
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Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror!

[E1]

I've been impressed that bus owners actually care where their buses end up.

We'll likely give ours to a deserving person or couple we know would love it and care for it just like we do.

But I will stipulate that if they sell it, meaning just to cash out, all funds above mechanical expenses would go to a charity we choose — probably one preserving the wilderness lands we've long made a living photographing. I'd stipulate the same if for any reason the recipients don't want it to begin with.

[Love My Westy]

[Love My Westy]

[Yondermtn]

You and your spouse should have living trusts and executor needs to be named. Express your wishes to your spouse and executor. You could have specific instructions included in the trust document.

I do estate and trust work and have seen some specific instructions for various assets. Vehicles commonly go to specific beneficiaries or get donated to clubs etc.
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1977 Westfalia 2.0FI 4spd
1990 Multivan 2.1 Auto

[Merian]

hey yonder - can he establish a life estate for a chattel so he can possess and drive until he dies?
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