Question

DISTRIBUTION PROBLEM

Fred and Wilma Flintstone have similar wills. Each provides that at their death and after payment of debts all of their remaining property is given to the survivor of them, if alive. Fred dies first, and after several years, Wilma dies. The alternate disposition terms of her will provide that if Fred is not alive then everything is to be sold and converted into cash, and after payment of funeral expenses and debts the proceeds and all other cash of her estate are to be distributed to the following persons:

1- One-half of the remaining assets are to be distributed to Wilma's surviving brothers and sisters, in equal shares; provided that if any of them has predeceased her and has a child or children surviving Wilma, the share that Wilma's brother or sister would 1. have received is to be distributed to the surviving child or children per stirpes;

2- One-half of the remaining assets are to be distributed to Fred's surviving brothers and sisters, in equal shares; provided that if any of them has predeceased her and has a child or children surviving Wilma, the share that Fred's brother or sister would have 2. received is to be distributed to the surviving child or children per stirpes.

You are a paralegal working in the law firm of Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe. Your boss, Mr. Cheatum, has handed you the file and told you that he would like you to compute the distributive share to which each beneficiary is entitled, so that the amounts can be reported on the final account to be submitted to the court. With that, he leaves on a two-week vacation, leaving you to solve this problem.

Your review of the file reveals that at the time of her death Wilma Flintstone had only one living sister, Treva Banker. However, she had six brothers and sisters who were deceased, all of whom had children surviving Wilma. The names of those deceased brothers and sisters are: George Nays, who had three surviving children, Marceil Hammer, Everett Nays, and Ivan Nays; Mable Quinn, who had four children, Ruby Readnour, Robert Quinn, Ward Quinn, and Betty Peters; Susan Tower, who had three surviving children, Helen Miller, Hubert Tower, and Joan Wilson;Charles Nays, who had two surviving children, Wanda Pfister and Darwin Nays; Carrie Snead, who had two surviving children, Charles Snead and Harry Snead; and Hazy McNearny, who had one surviving child, Rowena Edwards

Your review further reveals that at the time of Wilma's death Fred had one surviving sister, Blanch Isom. However, he had four deceased brothers and sisters and a deceased half brother, all of whom had children surviving Wilma. Those deceased brothers and sisters are: Stuart Flintstone (the half- brother), whose surviving children are Fannie Dotson and Isabell Unger; Vernon Flintstone, who had five surviving children, Pauline Young, Betty Carson, Jim Flintstone, Bob Flintstone, and Myrna Thorp; Earl Flintstone, whose surviving child is Theda Nance; Willie North, whose surviving children are Donald North, Phyllis Tinder, and Carroll North; Forrest Flintstone, whose surviving children are Bryce Flintstone and Alan Flintstone

All assets except a 14K gold Scottish Rite Masonic ring (valued at $550.00) and a ladies platinum diamond ring (valued at $2,726.50) have been sold and converted into cash. However, Marceil Hammer has agreed to take the Scottish Rite ring as part of her distribution, and Isabell Unger has agreed to take the ladies platinum diamond ring as part of her distribution, and this is agreeable to all parties. Remaining cash assets are $673,360.53.

Prepare a worksheet in table column format showing the following:

1. The gross amount of the distribution to each beneficiary;

2. The specific amount of the distribution check for each beneficiary;

3. The amount, if any, of any tangible property which is to be distributed to any

4. The totals in each column. beneficiary

Hints)

1. Keep in mind that the will provides that the beneficiaries are to share in the estate, not just the cash.

2. Remember, you can't distribute more than you have;

3. Remember, you have to distribute everything; you can't have anything left.

4. There will be times when you will have to arbitrarily assign a penny.

Answer 1

Per stirpes, means, whatever share is available for a branch will be divided equally to subsequent branches.

Half Brother case has been dealt in a manner, so that he will get equal share as whole blood. It could depend on law of a state, or any other claim or challenge or alternate will. As nothing of such is mentioned in a problem, i have divided share equally.

Gross amount of distribution is mentioned just below the name of beneficiaries. For Marceil and Isabel,check amount will be different as they have kept a part of a asset. That amount is calculated by subtracting value of asset (ring) and highlighted by yellow color just below that.

Good Luck!!