“We’ve thought about things and how we’d do it in some cases, but laws change, times change, families change,” said Bob Hamann. “This is a chance to get brought up to speed on the latest information, to get updated.”

“I want to find out how you go about deciding who gets what,” said Doreen Scott. “Do you go by value or age (of the child) or what?”

Fran Mertens echoed that thought saying “I want to do it fairly for my family, to find the best way to take care of things.”

Hamann, Scott and Mertens were sharing the reasons why they decided to attend the workshop “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?” This guide to passing on personal possessions will be offered free to the public Wednesday, April 28, at Faith Lutheran Church, 430 12th St. NE, Staples.

Today, it is not uncommon for families to be more complex than in generations past. Decisions about property may involve four or more generations, and include spouses, siblings, step-siblings, spouses from remarriages, domestic partners, adopted children, in-laws, friends, loved one, and others.

This workshop will provide participants a workbook that is a stepby step guide to passing on personal possessions. Planning allows for more choices, the opportunity for communication and fewer misunderstandings and conflicts.

“If we have things in order, it will help others after we’re gone and our wishes will be honored,” Scott said.

Hamann noted that with the death of one spouse, possessions probably automatically transfer to the other spouse. “But what if both people die? What’s the best thing then? How do you go about deciding?” he asked.

Hamann and Scott said they don’t have wills and Scott said, “They’ll probably touch on that, too, on what we should consider.”

Mertens said that although she has a will, she knows it probably needs some changes.

Becky Hagen Jokela, Regional Extension Educator and Extension Professor, will be the presenter and facilitator. She has a masters degree in Family and Consumer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and she has an accredited financial counselor designation from the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education. Jokela has worked for the University of Minnesota Extension for 16 years in Family Resource Management.

Onsite registration will begin at 5:15 p.m. and a soup supper will be served until 6 p.m. The presentation and break-out sessions along with a question and answer period will be from 6-8 p.m.

The workshop is offered at no cost to the public, but pre-registration is requested so enough meals and workbooks will be available.

Call Mary Theurer at 218-894-3752 for more information or to register. Registrations are limited to first 100 participants.

The workshop is sponsored by the Staples Community Foundation in conjunction with the Initiative Foundation and these partners:

o Mayer, Porter, Beinhorn and Rowe, LTD

o Palmer Ulring Accounting Service

o Wilhelmson Associates

o Bob Mueller, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

o Bob Beseman, Investment Centers of America

o Dan Orth, Kuhn Insurance Agency

o Kevin Nelson Insurance Agency

o First International Bank and Trust

o Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank

o Kevin Roline, American Family Insurance Agency

o Unity Bank