Sharon's Case Studies
PROBATE
WHO IS RUTH?
SHARON: Artistic and spiritually attuned, Ruth (not her real name) has to deal with a financial situation that is difficult and emotionally challenging. During our complimentary 15-minute call, Ruth described the change she was facing.
Ruth: I am the executor of my father’s estate. Since my father had a trust, I thought being the named executor in the will wouldn’t be such a big deal. Was I ever wrong about that! Along with assets and uneasy family dynamics, I inherited an aggressive stockbroker, an attorney and an accountant—all of whom intimidate me. The probate hearing is coming up and I’m supposed to provide financial information that I have no idea how to find. And all this is happening out-of-state. Discovering this financial mess adds anger to the grief and other feelings I can’t even name. To complicate matters, I’ve convinced myself that I’m incapable of dealing with it all.
SHARON: During our call, we crafted central questions that would guide our work together:
How am I going to straighten out my father’s complicated estate?
Can I learn how to deal with my father’s financial and legal professionals?
SHARON: Artistic and spiritually attuned, Ruth (not her real name) has to deal with a financial situation that is difficult and emotionally challenging. During our complimentary 15-minute call, Ruth described the change she was facing.
Ruth: I am the executor of my father’s estate. Since my father had a trust, I thought being the named executor in the will wouldn’t be such a big deal. Was I ever wrong about that! Along with assets and uneasy family dynamics, I inherited an aggressive stockbroker, an attorney and an accountant—all of whom intimidate me. The probate hearing is coming up and I’m supposed to provide financial information that I have no idea how to find. And all this is happening out-of-state. Discovering this financial mess adds anger to the grief and other feelings I can’t even name. To complicate matters, I’ve convinced myself that I’m incapable of dealing with it all.
SHARON: During our call, we crafted central questions that would guide our work together:
How am I going to straighten out my father’s complicated estate?
Can I learn how to deal with my father’s financial and legal professionals?
RUTH'S MONEY DANCE EXPERIENCE
RUTH: Sharon and I went through the estate report, line by line. I now have a better idea of what is going to happen at the probate hearing. We decided that keeping the attorney and accountant in place is smarter than finding replacements. With Sharon ’s coaching, I called Dad’s stock broker and told him there would be no buying or selling in the account and not to call me with trading suggestions. That was a hard call to make, but I guess I have to do the hard things if I’m going to get through this. Sharon and I made a list of tasks that I have to get done, and I set aside time on the calendar to do them. We maintained the calendar routine throughout out the months of finding and sending information back and forth to the attorney and lawyer. Throughout the process, having access every day to Sharon via email or a quick phone call made all the difference. This feels like a crash course in estate management. And it looks like I'm going to graduate!
RUTH: Sharon and I went through the estate report, line by line. I now have a better idea of what is going to happen at the probate hearing. We decided that keeping the attorney and accountant in place is smarter than finding replacements. With Sharon ’s coaching, I called Dad’s stock broker and told him there would be no buying or selling in the account and not to call me with trading suggestions. That was a hard call to make, but I guess I have to do the hard things if I’m going to get through this. Sharon and I made a list of tasks that I have to get done, and I set aside time on the calendar to do them. We maintained the calendar routine throughout out the months of finding and sending information back and forth to the attorney and lawyer. Throughout the process, having access every day to Sharon via email or a quick phone call made all the difference. This feels like a crash course in estate management. And it looks like I'm going to graduate!
RUTH'S UPDATE
SHARON: With time, support and perseverance Ruth did 'graduate'. Not only did she untangle her father's complicated estate, she developed an ability to be clear and tough with patronizing professionals. That skill will continue to serve her well.
SHARON: With time, support and perseverance Ruth did 'graduate'. Not only did she untangle her father's complicated estate, she developed an ability to be clear and tough with patronizing professionals. That skill will continue to serve her well.
