I found an old news story from 2011 on ABC News Good Morning America about an elderly widow in Italy that died at age 94 and wills her cat, her beloved kitty Tammaso, her entire estate worth $13 million. That is one lucky cat. This elderly widow had no children, no living family and suffered from loneliness. She had rescued the cat and looked after him as if it were her own son. It was her dying wish that the cat was properly cared for after her death. To be sure, she wills her cat her entire $13 million estate.
As a crazy as this story may seem, this cat was her whole life. A will is the only way to insure those you love and care about are properly taken care of in the event of your death. Which, by the way, is one of the two guarantees in life, death and taxes. Whether you have a beloved pet, children, significant partner or just a dear friend, having a will insures those you love and care about are properly taken care of just like the lady’s beloved cat. The same is true with life insurance. Life insurance is the most affordable way to take care of loved ones when you die.
Most people procrastinate when it comes to purchasing their will and sometimes their life insurance. According to recent surveys, of the 64% of Americans that did not purchase a will, it was sited they “never got around to it.” It can take time and money to set up a will if you have a $13 million estate like this lady. But if you are worth just a couple of million or less like most working Americans, you can take advantage of purchasing an affordable will online. This way you set it up in the privacy of your own home and at your pace, no rush for under $200. Since none of us are promised tomorrow, don’t procrastinate and take a bit of time to get your final wishes in place by filling out your last will and testament. Also get your life insurance needs taken care of as well. All before it is too late. Your loved ones will be glad you did someday.
“Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy.”—Wayne Gretzky
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Tim Wilhoit is owner/principal of Your Friend 4 Life Insurance Agency in Nashville, TN. He is a family man, father of 3, grandfather of 1, entrepreneur, insurance agent, life insurance broker, employee benefit specialist, salesman, sales trainer, recruiter, public speaker, blogger, author and team leader with over 29 years of experience in sales and marketing in the insurance and beverage industries.
What a great story! I love the way you get our attention to tell us what we need to hear about wills and life insurance!
Thank you Ron, glad you enjoyed it!
This goes on more than we all think. I know a local attorney who wrote a trust for a client’s Parrot – life expectancy of like 80 years and leaving a couple hundred grand for its care.
Colin, to a lonely person, a pet becomes family. I agree it happens quite often.
Great blog. I love the content and I will use part of it in a blog.
Wow, yes a will is important to have in place. It shows you care for your family.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after
I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say excellent
blog!
My cat needs a husband.
Hahahaha! First time in my life I ever wanted to be a kitten.
That is hilarious! Wow! One lucky cat!
Classic story … and there are many about lack of attention and preparation. But despite what we might think, the widow did what SHE wanted and didn’t leave her cat’s care to ‘chance’ (probate court)! I suspect the tax man didn’t have to wait too long. though!
Phillip, you just never know how life ends. One lucky cat and I agree the tax man has his eyes on how many lives are left in this cat. LOL