You can't take it with you!

[Nathan Gesner]

Take a good look at this bedroom. It may be hard to see but the bottom-left pile is about 50 ammunition boxes, full of ammunition. The pile beneath the curtains includes 25 rifles, some shotguns, about ten handguns, and lots of military bags. The bed is littered various magazines, dozens of brand-new gloves, dozens of knives, spare parts, scopes, and more.

My Tenant died two weeks ago and left all this (and much, much more) in his apartment. He didn't have a will so I'm working with the family to handle things. I delivered all the guns and ammunition to an auctioneer this morning and we anticipate it will bring in $30,000 or more over the next couple months. 

As I went through this, I had the opportunity to think about my own assets. Do I have a plan for everything if I become incapacitated or am survived by my spouse? What if my spouse and I both pass away? Do I give it to my kids where it runs a high risk of being squandered? Or do I give it to a charitable cause that can perhaps help those less fortunate? Give it to some foundation that will put my name on a piece of granite where birds can crap and kids can parkour?

I have a plan if I'm incapacitated or survived by my spouse. I have less of a plan after that. 

Does anyone have suggestions on how to structure my estate to best protect my investments when I'm gone? I'm really leaning towards giving something to my kids, but the majority will likely go to a charity.