Testament Reading - Oliver Pleasant

(Year 228) Last Spring a testament reading took place at the office of Lawyer Anita Ferny, Oasis Springs. Deceased Oliver Pleasant died from Hysteria in Henford-on-Bagley, the Winter of Year 226, only months after getting married (read more: The recent affairs of Tulsy Cracrow).

Deceased, Oliver Pleasant

- This testament is a little different, explains Lawyer Ferny. - Oliver Pleasant wrote his last will back in Year 225 when he had no children and probably no idea that he would get married the following year. However, he married and before he died his wife became pregnant with twins who were not born until this Spring, one season after their father's death. Normally an heir must be born to be considered an heir. This time his widow did protest, with a claim on behalf of her two newborn sons.

Such discussions normally take place before the testament is read, actually before the exact heirloom is known, even. The values that are up for grab shall not affect the interest and efforts among possible heirs. Instead, all valid heirs must be clear prior to the reading.

Lawyer Anita Ferny stated that the only obvious heir of Oliver Pleasant is his brother Daniel Pleasant, Henford-on-Bagley. The reason why not-yet born can not be heirs is simply that we don't know for sure whether they will actually get born, or how many they are. Although we know now that they are one daughter and one son, we did not know at the time when their father passed. And as with anything related to inheritance it is the moments of death that counts.

Back row: Angela Pleasant, Mary-Sue O. Pleasant and Lilith Pleasant.
Front row: Tulsy Cracrow (widow), Daniel Pleasant (brother).

In order to meet the widow, Tulsy Cracrow, and her claim on behalf of the boys, Lawyer ferny did advise Daniel Pleasant to deposit 10% of his available heirloom per child, on bank accounts that will be available to them on their 25th birthday. Daniel Pleasant agreed to this.

Widow Tulsy Cracrow protested.

So, as the testament reading begins there are 3 heirs: Brother Daniel Pleasant (80%), Son Doubrix Cracrow (10% bank deposit), and Son Freidolf Cracrow (10% bank deposit). The relatives met at the Lawyer office at Verde in Oasis Springs, and the reading could begin:

Lawyer Ferny opened an envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. She read it silently before raising her head and informing them all that Oliver Pleasant owned 35% shares in The Roadstead Hotel, where he worked as the Manager (worthy about §140.000), and cash of §25.000.

Then the lawyer stopped reading, looked at the group of relatives, and cleared her throat. 

Lawyer Anita (von Donnersmalt) Ferny.

- Oliver Pleasant has chosen another main heir than his brother. Angela (Pleasant) Oswald, according to your uncle's last will, you are his main heir and shall have 50% of his possessions, with his stocks as priority heirloom to keep.

Angela Pleasant celebrating a good day!

Tulsy Cracrow, the widow, protested. - His niece was not even listed among those 3 heirs!

But the lawyer explained that the testament always overshadows the original heirs, that is up to 50%. This means that the other half will be the new total to be shared among the 3 heirs. 10% per child will still be 10%, but  based on only half the total values - the values inherited by the deceased's brother.

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A few days later the heirlooms were adjusted for exact values and the final outcome looks like this:

Main heir, Angela Pleasant, Oasis Springs:
§   80.004    20% shares in Roadstead Hotel, Inc.
§     2.500    Cash
=§ 82.504    Total

Daniel Pleasant, Henford-on-Bagley:
§   60.003    15% shares in Roadstead Hotel, Inc.
§   22.500    Cash
§  -  8.250    To Doubrix Cracrow, Henford-on-Bagley
§  -  8.250    To Freidolf Cracrow, Henford-on-Bagley
=§ 66.003    Total

Doubrix Cracrow, Henford-on-Bagley:
§     8.250    Bank deposit, available in Spring, Year 252.
=§   8.250    Total

Freidolf Cracrow, Henford-on-Bagley:
§     8.250    Bank deposit, available in Spring, Year 252.
=§   8.250    Total