Collections - What do you collect?

[Front-Ranger]

My friend M. was quite a collector. I now have about 150 Toby character jugs by Royal Doulton that I should sell. What's the best way to handle this? I should probably do an online thing.

[Sason]

No handpainted periwinkles?

[Front-Ranger]

Well. I know periwinkles as flowers, so painted ones would be literally "gilding the lily"!

[Jeff Wrangler]

My friend M. was quite a collector. I now have about 150 Toby character jugs by Royal Doulton that I should sell. What's the best way to handle this? I should probably do an online thing.

Don't you think it's a little premature to be concerned about selling the Royal Doulton? Unless he left a will naming you as executor, I'd say you shouldn't do anything.

Even if you are the executor of his estate, if it were me I'd consult a lawyer before I did anything with any property. If it were me I'd first make sure that I had the legal authority to do anything with his property.

I don't mean to be unfeeling, but have his remains been taken care of? Who had the legal right to take care of that?

[Front-Ranger]

Jeff, I am what is known as his "personal representative." Back in 2021, he and I met with his lawyer and we drew up the documents. I am his medical and financial POA (power of attorney) and am in charge of disposing of all of his assets. Somehow, I never thought it through because he simply didn't have anyone else...no family, relatives or heirs.

Edited to add: yes, I'm managing his remains as well. He wanted his ashes mixed with those of his beloved dog and scattered near a stream. I'm also in charge of making some generous donations to his favorite charities and to his housekeeper.