#Wills and Estates inheritance Law

[mshlegalservicesae]

Contract Agreement Drafting in UAE

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[willsandtrusts]

When planning for the future, it’s crucial to understand the legal instruments available to help manage your estate. Two common tools are wills and trusts. While both serve important roles in estate planning, they function differently and cater to unique needs. This article clarifies the differences between a will and a trust, helping you make informed decisions for your estate planning needs in the UK.

[tothelasthoursofmylife]

Countess Cloudia Phantomhive and Victorian Inheritance Customs

With the snippet of the Phantomhive family tree now having been shown in the anime, I decided to make a little post to hopefully answer some of the questions that might come up!

Could a 19th-century English noblewoman...

... inherit her family estate? Yes, she could.

There was no law that stipulated that someone had to bequeath their possessions (estate, wealth) to a male relative. The rich and the noble wanted to protect their possessions, of course, and created wills that ensured that their estates and wealth would not fall into just anyone's hands but remained securely within their (close) family. If there was no close male relative (or none they wished to make their inheritor), it was not uncommon for people to will their possessions to a close female relative instead.

In Jane Eyre (1847), she famously inherits her paternal uncle's entire wealth of 20,000 pounds (the book is set sometime during George III's late reign, making the last possible (full) year 1819; this would make her inheritance 2,32 million pounds nowadays (she only keeps £5,000 = £580,000)) because he chose to will it to her, overlooking, i.a., a nephew simply because he once had a terrible fight with said nephew's father (his brother-in-law/his sister's husband). In The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848), Helen is the heiress to her uncle's fortune, not her brother (who inherited their father's estate already). Wuthering Heights' (1847) Catherine Linton (Catherine Earnshaw's daughter) was the heir of Thrushcross Grange.

Female heiresses were not restricted to fiction though:

(Women and Marriage in Nineteenth-Century England by Joan Perkin; Ch.3)

The rich and the noble had access to a private law system that was administered by the Court of Equity. This allowed noblewomen to have their own estates and incomes, albeit secured by trust funds/trustees. This system protected their inherited family wealth from their husbands even under coverture. (While single women, feme soles, could possess their own property, they would usually lose all rights to it to their husbands upon marriage because of coverture laws. The trust system prevented this.)

Marriage settlements (marriage contracts that, due to their complexity, could only be afforded by the rich) could also protect the daughters of noble and/or wealthy families as they, i.a., stipulated how much money she would receive monthly or annually (pin money), and how much money she would receive upon her husband's death.

(Courtship and Marriage in Victorian England by Jennifer Phegley; Ch. 1)

This was the best case scenario for women of the upper classes (and the wealthy middle class).

(Feminism, Marriage, and the Law in Victorian England by Mary Lyndon Shanley; Ch. 1)

Nevertheless, the rich knew how to protect their wealth, then as now. The aforementioned private laws also helped to pave the way for women of all social classes and statuses to have their own possessions.

Little excursus:

Their vast fortunes also granted certain freedoms to rich heiresses, i.a., the freedom to choose a husband as they pleased. After all, they did not have to think about "making a good match" anymore. They were themselves filthy rich already after all! The fact that their wealth was protected also kept them safer from vultures.

(Women and Marriage in Nineteenth-Century England by Joan Perkin; Ch.3)

"Love" emerged as a reason for marriage in the late 18th century and became more common and popular throughout the 19th.

(Love as Passion: The Codification of Intimacy by Niklas Luhmann; Ch. 14)

However, that never stopped matrimony from being a serious business. No matter what, many people put a lot of care and thought into deciding who to marry. After all, divorces were an expensive hassle until 1857 (previously, one needed a costly Act of Parliament to obtain a divorce, and the process of obtaining a divorce was particularly difficult for women too: between 1827 and 1857 only three divorces that were petitioned by women were granted; the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857 established a civil divorce court and expanded the rights of women). It was easier for rich women to choose to marry for love; still, many opted to remain cautious nonetheless.

(For example, what about the children one might have within a marriage? Upon a wedded union's dissolution, women had difficulties getting custody of their own children. The Custody of Infants Act 1839 allowed women to petition for custody of their children if they were 7 or under. It took until 1873, with the Infant Custody Act, for the age to be lifted from 7 to 16. It also removed the 1839 Act's stipulation that she would not be given custody if she had committed adultery. Before 1839, the father always got full custody. Caroline Norton believed she made a "good match," only to get stuck with an abusive husband who, i.a., beat her and did not let her access their children upon their separation for years.)

... keep her surname?/give her surname to her husband? Yes, she could.

The nobility and the rich, naturally, were very attached to their surnames. After all, it was their family marker, and they were proud of their family history, may it be because they came from a long line of nobles and/or because their ancestor created the family business that gave them their wealth.

When there was no (suitable) close male heir and a female one was chosen instead, the question arose, "what of the family name?" Women often took their husbands' surname upon marriage after all; in this case, however, it might mean the "end" of their old, history-charged and/or important family name.

So, people simply decreed in their wills that, whoever their heiress married, would have to take her surname upon marriage.

Further, men who wanted to marry rich heiresses, of course, thought the wedding to be an honour and did not want to offend their powerful and wealthy in-laws. They, thus, often chose to hyphenate their surname with their wife's. (And the more important surnames you can show off, the better too!)

(Women and Marriage in Nineteenth-Century England by Joan Perkin; Ch.3)

Some examples:

Charles William Stewart took his wife's surname Vane (not even hyphenated!! it fully "replaced" his) when they got married in 1819 because Frances Vane was a rich heiress and her father stipulated in his will that her future husband had to take her surname, period.

In 1811, John Ward changed his surname to Ward-Boughton-Leigh after marrying Theodosia de Malsburgh Boughton-Leigh. "Boughton" is the maiden name of Theodosia's mother, "Leigh" her father's surname. She was the only heir to the fortunes of both her parents, so all families had to be honoured.

The marquessate of Salisbury belongs to the Gascoyne-Cecil family. Up until 1821, the family name was just Cecil. "Gascoyne" comes from Frances Gascoyne who married James Cecil; James hyphenated his surname with hers. She brought a considerable "Liverpool fortune" into the family. The Cecils were (and are!) very powerful and they still changed their surname.

Men also retroactively changed their surnames to their wives' maiden name if she suddenly received a great inheritance. (This could lead to some fun names like "Cresswell Cresswell.")

... hold a noble title in her own right? Yes, she could.

Henrietta Godolphin was the Duchess of Marlborough in her own right (suo jure) because of an act of parliament in 1706. (Her younger brother was meant to inherit the title but he died before their father and it went to her instead.) Henrietta's eldest son William became heir apparent to her dukedom (and his father's earldom, but that would only have been a "secondary" title because dukes > earls). Unfortunately, her son predeceased her, and the title went to her nephew instead.

This was not the first or last case of a woman holding a title in her own right. The Wikipedia article on suo jure lists more such cases.

Also: Vincent and Francis are full siblings! (Yana's tweet/Ducky's translation)

No matter whether Cloudia was married to Cedric or not, Vincent and Francis would never be bastards and always legitimate children in the face of the law.

*Note: Laws on women's property rights/custody/divorce/etc. changed multiple times throughout the 19th century; their effects on women also differed amongst the different social classes. As this post is about Cloudia's (possible) situation, it mostly deals with laws and such that would have applied to her as a noblewoman (late 18th to mid-19th century/1866).

A chronology on English marriage law:

(Courtship and Marriage in Victorian England by Jennifer Phegley)

[mickandmusings]

i. true blue

part one of the 'hangman & honey' series!

summary: The summer he turned nine, Jake was convinced he'd spend it like any other summer: riding his bike down dirt roads with all the other kids, lending a helping hand on the family farm, and brushing up on his backyard football. His life hits a tailspin when a new family moves into the house just down the road, leading him to a friendship and feelings he never saw coming.

word count: 4.5k

warnings: cute childhood friends to lovers, small sections of angst, tragic backstories and southern traditions. primarily self indulgent. this is written by someone from the most southern small town imaginable, so it's written with love as an ode to my own hometown, enjoy. <3

-

In the great state of Texas, just a few hours south of Austin, sits a small town called Haven. It was a fitting name for a town so picturesque-miles and miles of endless farmland, stunning sunsets and sunrises, and the beauty of the state's flora and fauna. However, in all it's Southern small-town glory, it was home to little else. There was the hub of activity 'downtown'-the one school system, a family-owned restaurant, a convenience store, the First Baptist Church of Haven, and a hair salon. On the outskirts of Haven sat a large patch of barbed-wire fenced farmland, one that spanned most of the remaining parts of the small town, more than the eye could see. It was large enough to have its own unpaved road-Seresin Farm Road-and was home to only one house, the Seresin family house.

The Seresin family had owned the land long before the turn of the century, and had been passed down from generation to generation ever since. The Seresin's owned much of Haven to begin with, their farmland excluded. Most of the businesses rented their buildings from Jacob Seresin Sr., with the exception of the school system and the church. Despite their seemingly looming hand of ownership, you'd never know they held power at all. Mrs. Janet Seresin-first lady of the Seresin estate-was known as the town egg lady, always more than happy to pass out dozens of Styrofoam cartons free of charge. She held the unofficial prize of having the best homemade ice cream in all of Haven, and anyone in the small town would attest. Jacob Seresin Sr.-head of the Seresin farm and Janet's husband-was regarded in the same warm fashion. You could find him driving up and down the main street in his trusty red farm truck, often loaded with feed or some kind of good necessary to keep his place up and running. He'd stop and talk to anyone and everyone, literally everyone, he knew. He had been the one to help nearly everyone in his community rebuild after natural disasters, always willing to help someone in need, never asking for anything in return. The Seresin's were Haven's unofficial first family, leaders of sorts, in the small town.

Their son, Jacob Seresin Jr., was elusive and a topic nearly everyone knew to avoid. He had been raised on the family farm, attended the local school, lived and breathed the same life as everyone else, but found himself itching for more. He quickly fell into trouble with the local law, and with a last name like Seresin, he got away with mostly everything, which, perhaps, was his greatest downfall. He had gotten his high school girlfriend-a sweet local girl named Georgia Joann Smith-pregnant their senior year. When she broke the news, he'd taken off in his truck to Kentucky, where it was rumored he still was, looking for something he could never find. Nine months later, Jacob Thomas Seresin III, or 'Jake' as he preferred, was born, healthy, all ten fingers and toes. Just hours after birth, his mother fell gravely ill, and made her own swift exit in death. She left behind only one thing-her son. Jacob Sr. and Janet took him in with no questions asked, raising him as any grandparent would. Jake, luckily, seemed to inherit more of his mother than his father. His blonde hair gleamed in the Texas sun, turning almost gold in the heat-filled summers. His green eyes held his kindness-a sharp contrast to his father's dark brown eyes that seemed to only hold his anger. Jake bore Georgia's gentle soul, her wide smile and her witty personality, she lived on in Jake entirely. So when the new family moved into the empty house at the end of Seresin Farm Road, Janet had zero hesitations in sending Jake down to welcome their new neighbors to Haven. She'd spent the entire morning making homemade bread, having to occasionally swat away Jake's hands from the counter or tell him to completely get out of the kitchen while the loaves cooled. After lunch, she handed him a well-wrapped loaf and gave him instructions to take it to the newcomers, which Jake did without complaint. He'd placed the bread into the metal basket attached to his royal blue bike, trekking down their long and winding driveway. When he'd arrived nearly ten minutes later, he had parked his bike on the edge of the lawn, against a towering oak tree. He made a point to kick the dirt off his shoes, not wanting to track it onto the seemingly freshly painted, white wrap-around porch. He lifts his first to wrap against the door, one with a glass cut-out, much different than the screen door on his farmhouse. He fixed his windswept hair in the reflection of the window, remembering Granny's words of always looking well put together when meeting new people. The door's lock clicked, and when Jake looked up to see the man or lady of the house, he instead had to look down, finding a girl who couldn't be much younger than him. Her eyes were wide as they stared up at him, hair pushed out of her face with colorful butterfly shaped clips. Her eyes were captivating, and all of Jake's intended Southern charm had flown out the window. She smiles shyly at Jake, wondering why this stranger was on her porch.

"Uh, this is for you-or,uh-your parents," his arm extends the bread as he stammered. "My Granny made it, we live at the farm on the end of the road, we-uh, she-wanted to invite you to the neighborhood. I'm Jake."

Jake stuck out a clammy hand for her to shake, and winced internally. His Pawpaw would be reprimanding him if he saw this-it wasn't polite to make a lady shake your hand. Shaking hands was for business deals, and Jake had just shook her hand like she'd bought his show heifer. Jake's mind was clouded for a reason he couldn't explain, and he wasn't thinking straight. The girl blushed and smiled slightly.

"I'm Honey," her voice was quiet but pronounced. "That's not actually my name, but everyone calls me Honey, so, you can call me Honey. Um, is your house the one with the big magnolia tree in the front?"

Jake nodded quickly. Her eyes widened, shimmering with something Jake couldn't make out. Quietness settled over them before Honey spoke again.

"Is that your bike?" Honey points at his bike leaning against the tree.

"Yeah! Most kids ride their bikes everywhere here."

"C-Could I ride with you, maybe?" Her voice was suddenly shy, no longer meeting Jake's eyes. "It's just summer and I-I don't know anyone yet and-"

"Yes!" Jake cut her off, and mentally scolded himself, but as Honey flashed him a wide smile he couldn't find himself caring. She tossed the bread on the table just inside the door, slid on her purple jelly sandals and shut the door behind her. She led Jake to the empty garage, only full of empty moving boxes and a bright yellow bike. As she led them out of the garage and towards the edge of the yard, Jake's eyebrows furrowed as he looked at her.

"Shouldn't you let your momma know you left, leave her a note or somethin'?"

Honey's eyes cut to her feet, her smile fading.

"She won't care, I'll be back before she will. S-She's a nurse, works the night shift at the old folks home in the next town over."

Jake nodded but said nothing, pedaling off on his own bike to lead her back down to his farm.

From that moment on, Jake and Honey were practically inseparable. The entire summer was spent with a blue bike parked next to a yellow one, swimming in the creek behind Jake's house, and running around the farm with nothing but their imagination and makeshift stick swords. Jake's Border Collie, John Wayne, became a frightening dragon of their imagination, and Honey taught Jake how to make flower crowns from the wildflowers in the fields. Janet had grown fond of looking out her front window to see Honey sitting next to Jake under her magnolia tree, reading her Boxcar Children book as much as she could with Jake chattering next to her. Even when Jake was busy with his farm chores, Honey would sit placidly under the tree, enjoying the occasional breeze as she read her book of the week. After the long summer, Jacob Sr. had started referring to it as "Honey's tree," and he'd laugh to himself every time he saw the girl sitting quietly under it. Both Janet and Jacob Sr. loved having the sweet but shy girl around, especially when they found out that she spent most of her time alone in that house down the road. On the last night before summer ended, Jake and Honey sat under the tree, swatting at mosquitoes as the Texas sun set. Jake looked over at Honey, who had finally put her book down, and asked:

"Why do you like this tree so much?"

She smiled a smile that Jake knew to be half-hearted and brought her knees to her chest, her chin resting on her kneecaps.

"It reminds me of home."

Honey had moved from her tiny town in Mississippi that summer, and she often talked of her home there, the friends and family she'd left behind, how her mother had left when her grandmother died, looking for a fresh start.

"My Gram had a tree like this in her yard, and she'd babysit me when Mom worked," Honey's eyes rested on the ground, where she was picking grass from the ground around her bare feet. "She'd read to me a lot, and it was my favorite place in the world. Sometimes when I read here it sort of feels like I never left."

Jake simply nodded, thinking of the mother he'd only met in pictures, and the grandparents he wouldn't trade for the world's richest man. Neither of them spoke a word about the statement she made, but they understood what it meant to both of them. Even at age nine, Jake was in love with the girl next door, even if he didn't know it yet. From the first year they met and every year after, Jake and Honey found themselves under the magnolia blossoms. Well, almost every year...

As the budding teens entered into their freshman year at Haven High School, the differences between their personalities became more apparent than ever. Jake was the ideal all-American southern boy: athletic, outgoing, someone who guys high-fived in the hallway, and one that girls would be late to class just to get a glimpse of. Jake was never one to let the attention get to his head, at least not too much. Sure, he enjoyed the feeling of being liked, and, sure, he could be cocky at times, but he was never the one to bully those completely different from him. Someone like Honey. Honey had always been quiet, shy by nature, and the very definition of an advanced student. She was beloved by her teachers, but not as well received by her classmates. With a town as small as Haven, it was either incredibly easy or incredibly hard to make friends, and for Honey, it seemed to be the latter. It wasn't as if Honey was perpetually odd-she wasn't homely or weird, just quiet. Jake was the only one who knew about her boisterous laugh that could be prompted with his corny jokes, or her wild streak, like sneaking into his bedroom window after she and her mother got into yet another fight.

At the beginning of the school year, she spent her breaks talking to Jake, and she sat next to him at lunch. He'd let her ramble about her current read, and he'd talk about yesterday's football practice. She'd leave with the promise to come around for dinner, Mrs. Janet was making her favorite. However, when football season started, and Jake had made an infamous saving play at one of the first few games, he had peaked in popularity. Honey found herself on the outside of his swarm of new friends, listening to him talk to his football buddies while the girls that followed shot her sympathetic or lethal glances. She'd ignored it at first, simply enjoying her paperback until Jake could spare himself a minute to talk to her. Eventually, the bell would sound before she even got the chance to say 'hello' to him, and, with her heart suddenly heavy, she'd make her way to class. The routine lasted for weeks and she'd find herself waiting by the phone, figuring Jake would call her after football practice, but she'd only be greeted with silence through the night. After the second week of no contact, she decided to leave Jake and his new friends to their own devices, opting to sit in the library for breaks, taking her lunch in the empty courtyard. It was like Jake hadn't noticed her absence at all, at least in her mind, but Jacob Sr. and Janet noticed immediately. They had missed her bright aura that lit up their farmhouse, watching as she greeted the dogs as she parked her now lilac bike in the driveway. Janet missed her companionship as Honey would watch her sew patches onto Jacob Sr. and Jake's clothes, and her husband missed catching up with her over dinner. The only time they'd see her anymore would be on Friday nights, at Jake's games. She'd sit in the bleachers with them, decked out in her navy blue and gold, watching intently as the boys in jerseys made their way up and down the field. At the end of the game, she'd say her goodbyes before Jake would find his grandparents and they wouldn't see her until the following Friday. In typical grandparent fashion, Janet had assumed Jake had done something. Her grandson was kind, gentlemanly, but he also had a sharp tongue and a big head, which he sometimes used in malice. So, over dinner one Thursday, Janet finally dipped her toes into the water.

"Maybe you should talk to Honey after the game tomorrow, she always seems to slip away before you two get to catch up."

Jake's eyebrows furrowed as he wiped his mouth, looking up at his grandmother.

"Honey? At a football game? Granny, I don't really think that's her scene. She hates when we have a pep rally at school, I don't think she's going to a football game voluntarily."

Jacob Sr. and Janet give each other a knowing look across the table.

"How blind are ya, son?" Jacob Sr.'s voice is accusatory.

Jake looks up from his plate, looking over at his grandfather with a confused look.

"She's been at every game this season, Jake," his grandmother's voice speaks, much softer than her husbands. "She sits next to us in the stands. When was the last time you two talked? Just the two of you?"

Jake scoffs at his grandmother's accusation, his head shaking as he tried to wrack his brain for the last time he'd talked to his best friend.

"Maybe a week or so ago, I-I can't remember."

"That's a damn shame," Jacob Sr.'s voice grumbled. "She's a sweet girl, smart too. I know she doesn't run the same circles as you and your new buddies, but she's a good friend Jake, and you're treatin' her as if she doesn't exist. She still comes to all of those games. I'm not tellin' you what to do, but maybe give her a call, and pray to the Lord above that she wants to talk to your dumb ass."

Jake's heart sank as he carried out his nightly farm chores that night, thinking of how he had treated Honey. He knew what the other girls in the group said about her, how she was 'quiet' and 'weird,' often making comments that were completely false or disrespectful. Jake always shut the comments down, but found himself not bothering to talk to the one person who had always been there for him. Was it his fear of his new friends thinking he was weird? Did he think he wouldn't be surrounded by his football buddies if they saw him talking to someone like Honey? As Jake shut the barn door, he sighed, deciding he didn't care about either. Honey had been his friend for years, long before high school or popularity, or stupid teenage rules. She'd never changed, she was still the girl he fell in love with all those years ago. That night, as he sat by the phone thinking of what to say, he'd heard the faintest knock on his door. He figured it was his Granny coming to tell him goodnight, so he made quick work of making his way to the door and flinging it open. Instead of his grandmother, Honey stood in front of him. She held an algebra textbook in her arms, her eyes never meeting his, her arms crossed protectively. Her eyes were red rimmed and bloodshot, tear streaks staining her cheeks. She'd been crying, and Jake knew Honey all too well, her tears had nothing to do with the algebra assignment. Something had happened to her.

"Uh, hey, I-I know it's late, and I didn't want to bother you, but I've been workin' on this stupid algebra assignment for three hours, and i-it's not making a lick of sense. You-You're the only person I know who could help me, so if you could just show me how to do one, I'll be out of your hair. I know you have a game tomorrow, and you should really sleep-"

Honey was rambling, picking the skin around her fingernails, she was nervous. It shattered his heart in his chest, he could never remember a time when she was nervous around him.

"No, no, you're fine, Honey. C'mere."

He opened the door wide for her to come in. She nodded in thanks, hovering awkwardly in the space between his bed and his desk. Any other time she'd plop herself down on his plaid comforter, all but curling into the sheets and falling asleep. Now, she didn't know what to do. She hadn't spoken to him in weeks, and he was different now. He wasn't just Jake, her Jake, he was Jake Seresin, up and coming star of their hometown football team, someone that a person like her should avoid in the hallway, someone that shouldn't even be talking to her.

He pushed the chair of his desk out for her, figuring she'd feel more comfortable there. She laid her textbook and notebook out flat, opening the book to the dozens of equations she couldn't make out. Honey was incredibly smart, but as her math classes advanced, she found herself staring at her own notes in utter confusion.

"Um, so, this is on polynomials," she started. "But I couldn't even tell you what a fuckin' polynomial is and I'm starting to lose my mind."

Jake quickly noted the physical manifestation of her worry-her hair messy with the way she had been running her hands through it, the chipped nail polish on her nails, and her chewing on her bottom lip. His heart ached, how had he not noticed her struggling? They were in the same class, she sat two chairs in front of him.

"Honey, I'm sorry."

She didn't even spare him a look.

"It's not your fault I'm stupid, Jake."

Jake took her arm in a light hold, turning her to look at him.

"I'm not talkin' about algebra, and you're not stupid, first of all. You're one of the smartest people I know. I'm talkin' about the way I've been actin'. It's not fair to you, I've been an ass. I've been ignoring you at school, treatin' you as if you aren't even there. You've come to all my games and I didn't even know. Thanks for that, by the way, but, I mean it, Honey. I'm sorry."

Honey shrugs, her face sprouting a faint pink blush.

"'S fine, people grow up, move on. You don't have to apologize for leaving me for people more like-minded. I get it, I don't necessarily fit the mold of your new friend group. It's okay. They seem to really like you though, and you seem happy. Plus Sam is...she's pretty. I get why you wouldn't want me hanging around."

"Sam?" Jake's voice was confused. Sam was a cheerleader, and she was friends with the girlfriends of his teammates. They had a passing conversation from time to time, but they weren't dating. "What're you talkin' about?"

Honey's brow furrowed, tapping her pencil's eraser against her book.

"Sam Vance told me like the third or fourth week of school that you were together, around the same time we stopped talking. I just assumed that was why you didn't want to talk anymore. It's sort of the reason I've kept my distance."

Jake's blood boiled, he was not dating Sam Vance. She was heinously mean, even to her own 'friends.'

"Honey," Jake started, his eyes full of sympathy, his flash of anger flickering. "I'm not dating her, not by a long shot. I don't know why she lied to you, I've never said more than a few sentences to one another, she's...mean. She's vicious, I'm sorry."

Honey's head only shook in a nonchalant manner. She was good at this, pushing people away, Jake had noticed it over the years. After years of practically raising herself, those she loved either abandoning her or leaving her in death, she expected everyone to leave. Honey herself knew that someday Jake would leave her, just like everyone else, so when he pulled away, she didn't bother trying to stop it, no matter how it hurt.

"Stop that. I know what I did was shitty, and it seemed like I didn't want you there, but this isn't me dumping you off, Honey. I swear. And I know something's wrong, you're not crying because of a homework assignment. If it's because of what happened between us, I'll do anythin' to make it up to you-"

Honey's bottom lip trembles, her eyes lining with tears as she shakes her head. She looks up at Jake, pain clouding her usually kind eyes.

"You don't have to worry about me, Jake."

"No I don't," he stated honestly. "I want to, Honey. You're my best friend, and you're hurtin'. You may not need me, but I want to help you. I know I haven't been a good friend, the worst actually, but talk to me, please."

Honey looks at her lap, bringing her knees to her chest in an action of protection Jake was familiar with-every time she has to get vulnerable, it's her defensive action, as if curling up in a ball would save her from hurt.

"For what it's worth," Honey started, her voice small and quiet. "I really don't understand polynomials, like, at all. But you're right, it's more than that." She pauses and takes a deep breath, Jake's heart shattering. Her inability to speak freely, the bags under her eyes, her nervous habit at the forefront-he'd never seen her so tired, so heavy.

"About a week ago, I came home and all of my mom's stuff was gone. I mean, all of it, her bedroom was completely empty. She left a note on the kitchen table." Her eyes focus on the Cowboys poster on the back of Jake's door, her eyes dulling. "She decided to move in with her boyfriend, and he-he doesn't even know she has a child, so she left the house for me. Which is fine, we never got along anyway, it's just been...lonely. She pays the bills and leaves money, so it's not like I'm fending for myself, but, it just really sucks she doesn't really care about me. I guess it shouldn't, but-" She pauses, eyes dazed out, silent tears running down her cheeks. "Sorry for the soapbox, I just, it all is piling up, and now I'm crying over polynomials." She laughs dryly. "Just, God I've missed you, Jake. I sort of pushed myself away from you because I thought you'd found people you'd rather spend your time with. I'm nothing like you interest wise, and-"

"Stop putting yourself down, I won't stand for it." Jake looks at her as she laughs in a quiet manner, hands wiping away her silent tears. Jake moves directly in front of her, making eye contact. "I mean it. You're ten times cooler than any of them. Most of the guys on the team, pretty laid back, cool, but all they ever want to talk about is football and how hot so-and-so is, and their girlfriends? Worse, by a thousand, at least most of them. I'd like to think I'm not that shallow, right?"

Jake Seresin was a lot of things, but shallow was not one of them.

"Please hang out with me tomorrow? I'll have Granny pick you up for school. You and I are going to talk until the bell rings, you've got to catch me up on that Scarlett girl in that book you were reading last time we talked. I'm sitting with you at lunch because Granny made me promise to bring you lunch, and you gotta catch me up on last week's Dawson's Creek episode. Then I'll see you at the game, and we can swing by The Burger Basket, you, me, burgers, fries, a strawberry shake for you and a chocolate one for me."

Honey laughed, nodding her head, her heart warming as she heard Jake ask for the things she thought he found annoying-her ranting about the books she was reading, or the TV shows she was watching. She wiped her tears, standing and hugging the blonde boy who knew her better than herself sometimes. Her chest felt lighter, it felt good to be known so incredibly well. He squeezed her tight before she let go. (Jake never, ever, let go first.) She sits back in the desk chair, sliding in next to Jake, her head falling on his shoulder.

"So," she spoke after a moment of silence. "Polynomials?"

Jake chuckles.

"Let's make a deal, Hon. I explain to you how to solve these equations, and you explain to me what the hell Shakespeare is talking about in those English assignments for Mrs. Elmer's class?"

Honey laughs, she and Jake were both good students, but in two very different subjects.

"You've got yourself a deal, J."

Jake smirks, taking the pencil that sat in the crevice of the book, his scratchy handwriting across her paper as he attempted to explain. In a matter of minutes, Honey began to understand, a smile forming as she grasped the concepts. Jake's green eyes met hers in the light of his desk lamp, glimmering, and the breath in his chest catches, his heart hammering. His palms sweat around the pencil and he can't look away from her.

"You alright, Seresin?" Honey's voice is laced with humor, and it snaps him out of his trance.

"Y-Yeah."

Jake had lied, he had just realized, for the first time since Jake had known Honey, he was beginning to see her as something more than just his best friend. When he looked at Honey, he noticed something he'd never noticed before, she was beautiful.

-

[robertreich]

From Robber Barons to Bezos: Is History Repeating Itself?

Ultra-wealthy elites…Political corruption…Vast inequality…

These problems aren’t new — in the late 1800s they dominated the country during America’s first Gilded Age.

We overcame these abuses back then, and we can do it again.

Mark Twain coined the moniker “The Gilded Age” in his 1873 novel to describe the era in American history characterized by corruption and inequality that was masked by a thin layer of prosperity for a select few.

The end of the 19th century and start of the 20th marked a time of great invention — bustling railroads, telephones, motion pictures, electricity, automobiles — which changed American life forever.

But it was also an era of giant monopolies — oil, railroad, steel, finance — run by a small group of men who had grown rich beyond anything America had ever seen.

They were known as “robber barons” because they ran competitors out of business, exploited workers, charged customers exorbitant prices, and lived like royalty as a result.

Money consumed politics. Robber barons and their lackeys donated bundles of cash to any lawmaker willing to do bidding on their behalf. And when lobbying wasn’t enough, the powerful turned to bribery — resulting in some of the most infamous political scandals in American history.

The gap between the rich and poor in America reached astronomical levels. Large numbers of Americans lived in squalor.

Anti-immigrant sentiment raged, leading to the enactment of racist laws to restrict immigration. And voter suppression, largely aimed at Black men who had recently won the right to vote, was rampant.

The era was also marked by dangerous working conditions. Children often as young as 10, but sometimes younger, worked brutal hours in sweatshops. Workers trying to organize labor unions were attacked and killed.

It seemed as if American capitalism was out of control, and American democracy couldn’t do anything about it because it was bought and paid for by the rich.

But Americans were fed up, and they demanded reform. Many took to the streets in protest.

Investigative journalists, often called “muckrakers” then, helped amplify their cries by exposing what was occurring throughout the country.

And a new generation of political leaders rose to end the abuses.

Politicians like Teddy Roosevelt, who warned that, “a small class of enormously wealthy and economically powerful men, whose chief object is to hold and increase their power,” could destroy American democracy.

After becoming president in 1901, Roosevelt used the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up dozens of powerful corporations, including the giant Northern Securities Company which had come to dominate railroad transportation through a series of mergers.

Seeking to limit the vast fortunes that were creating a new American aristocracy, Congress enacted a progressive income tax through the 16th Amendment, as well as two wealth taxes.

The first wealth tax, in 1916, was the estate tax — a tax on the wealth someone accumulated during their lifetime, paid by the heirs who inherited it. The second tax on wealth, enacted in 1922, was a capital gains tax — a tax on the increased value of assets, paid when those assets were sold.

The reformers of the Gilded Age also stopped corporations from directly giving money to politicians or political candidates.

And then Teddy Roosevelt’s fifth cousin — you may have heard of him — continued the work through his New Deal programs — creating Social Security, unemployment insurance, a 40-hour workweek, and requiring that employers bargain in good faith with labor unions.

But following the death of FDR and the end of World War II, when America was building the largest middle class the world had ever seen — we seemed to forget about the abuses of the Gilded Age.

Now, more than a century later, America has entered a second Gilded Age.

It is also a time of extraordinary invention.

And a time when monopolies are taking over vast swathes of the economy, so we must renew antitrust enforcement to bust up powerful companies.

Now, another generation of robber barons is accumulating unprecedented money and power. So once again, we must tax these exorbitant fortunes.  

Wealthy individuals and big corporations are once again paying off lawmakers, sending them billions to conduct their political campaigns, even giving luxurious gifts to Supreme Court justices. So we need to protect our democracy from Big Money, just as we did before.

Voter suppression runs rampant in the states as during the first Gilded Age, making it harder for people of color to participate in what’s left of our democracy. So it’s once again critical to defend and expand voting rights.

Working people are once again being exploited and abused, child labor is returning, unions are busted, the poor are again living in unhealthy conditions, homelessness is on the rise, and the gap between the ultra-rich and everyone else is nearly as large as in the first Gilded Age. So once again we need to protect the rights of workers to organize, invest in social safety nets, and revive guardrails to protect against the abuses of great wealth and power.

The question now is the same as it was at the start of the 20th century: Will we fight for an economy and a democracy that works for all rather than the few?

We’ve done it before. We can — and must — do it again.

[groenendaelfic]

I will not write a Wilmon debutant(e) ball AU. I will not write a Wilmon debutant(e) ball AU. I will not write a Wilmon debutant(e) ball AU.

I will not— okay I really will not. Because Young Royals is already inspiring enough and I dread what s3 will do to my fic ideas folder and also I have more than enough wips.

HOWEVER imagine a (pseudo)historical AU setting. Baron Eriksson is sickly and elderly, his two oldest sons died without male heirs, and so it's the drunken third son's get who is bound to inherit.

The Baron never would have approved Micke's marriage had he known, but at the time both of his daughters-in-law had already born his other two sons healthy children, and Micke was never going to amount to more than a whoremonger anyway, so the Catholic merchant's daughter (don't worry she converted) it was. Who could've known she'd be the only one bearing a grandson who'd live to adulthood.

So here Simon is now, suddenly thrust into a position no one ever wanted him in. The old Baron (who never allowed him to call him grandfather) too sick to leave his bed, and his father drinking away their money and not caring how much the steward mismanages the estate.

If it were only him it wouldn't matter, but the local count (a Horn of Årnäs) has an eye on their small manor house and wants to turn it into a hunting lodge once the old Baron dies, getting rid of all the staff and farmer tenants while he does so, and Simon is their only hope.

For this Simon needs money however, and the only way he can get that is finding an heiress with a sizable dowry happy with a lavender marriage, or at the very least a good match for his sister so that at least she he doesn't have to worry about.

Simon hates it, but after the fifth tenant came to him clutching a coughing baby to her chest he relented and packed up a delighted Sara to travel to Stockholm for the season.

At least one person is happy about it all.

They make it to Stockholm just in time, their grandaunt willing to put them up in her townhouse if only for the novelty, and once both Simon and Sara have used what little money they can spare on debutant/e clothes it's already time for the first and greatest event of the season, the one during which all the young men and women of rank will be introduced to the monarch in a grand ceremony followed by a lavish ball.

Simon tries his best to make a good impression and ignore any and all snide comments about his exotic looks if only for his sister's and tenants' sakes (lives depend on him!), but it's hard, and his lack of wealth and connections don't help.

Wilhelm thinks there's nothing more boring than debutant(e)s, stiff and formal and trembling, as they nervously bow and curtsy, hoping to make a good impression and curry royal favor, as if he's going to remember a single one of them come morning when he wakes up hungover and surrounded by naked artists happy to help him cure his royal ennui.

Then Baron Eriksson of Bjärstad's heir is introduced however, and suddenly Wilhelm's perspective changes.

[mpsansy]

Had a funny thought. What if instead of being focused on the ‘treasure’ of the McFadden’s, Carrigan turns into a crazy HOA lady? (She never sees the secret message and decides to try and get her money’s worth out of the building)

With the introduction of Alice, she’s the direct successor and owner of the mansion. Which would put Carrigan’s ownership of the house in jeopardy since she only inherited it from her father. But they can’t exactly completely deny that she owns some of the property. So part of the grounds are given to her in a settlement with the money she wanted. (It’s literally chump change compared to what the McFaddens have stashed.)

And while she got the house she wanted, Carrigan now has to deal with that blight sitting just in her view. It’s sooooo hard not to see how it sticks out compared to everything else.

And if she can’t get to the ghosts… She’ll go for the humans. Que the ghost having to tolerate changes (upgraded plumbing, electrical, etc.) just so they can keep their pet fleshys. (The movie literally says the mansion is condemned.)

Dibs ends up actually growing a spine and ends up getting his house with purple wallpaper and green carpets away from Carrigan’s shenanigans. He thankfully doesn’t name his dog Carrigan. Her name is Rose. She’s a cute kind of spoiled.

Actually I did circle around this thought as a way of having this be mentioned in my AU. But it mainly put Alice’s mother in the picture, Mia McFadden. And just like her McFadden lineage, she has excelled in her career of choice. For her, it’d be on the realms of property management and law (woman had the means and studied hard for what she has). If Mia had not been notified of the estate, Carrigan wouldn’t have anything to worry about.

However that isn’t the case. Mia is well versed in communication. On the legal front and the personal when she gets confronted, or rather threatened, by Carrigan. Girl is making Dibs work twice as hard because she is definitely ruining her chances of getting anything out of this place. Despite all that, it hardly stops Mia from getting to know this condemned property. It absolutely needs fixing, but she’s willing to take it up when she examines the architecture.

Preservation is on her mind and is excited by it all. So much so she would start to ramble aloud. Totally unaware she’s being watched by all the dead residents. Just itching to scare the women. But back off when two other people show up. Dr. James Harvey and Kathleen Harvey.

Apparently he’s doing a whole ghost therapy thing or something like that. Mia thinks it’s pretty ridiculous when first hearing it, and it seems his daughter is in agreement with the woman.

These are all my first impressions of what could be happening here. I did want to go on and say as a few quick additions:

She IS aware of spirits. Her belief is in the murky area, but that’s quick to change once she meets the trio. And they do try to pull the same tricks as they did to James, but miss the mark. Maybe they should reconsider different tactics. It’d be a first in a while, but the challenge is too hard to resist. Especially with how neutral her expressions are.

I do think the fact that Mia is interested in the property should be enough motivation to get Carrigan to do whatever she can to ensure that it’s all hers. Like, what if Mia had an accident? As if that’d go her way

I’m rambling off too much, but this is all I have to say. Should put in a little more effort if I want to make it different from the film

[ladylooch]

Wait I’m curious if emma signed a prenup with timo

Or like how did that work, did she just get access to his money after they married ( loving that for her)

Yes, Emma and Timo have a prenup. While it certainly isn’t romantic, Emma and Timo are both in agreement to do what is best for themselves, each other and their children when they’re in current, good standing with each other. You don’t divorce the same person you marry 💜 They also are doing wills and inheritance for Lio at the same time, so it is one big legal palooza.

There are a few main highlights of their agreement:

1. All the money Timo made before Emma was pregnant with Lio is his. They use his conception date 🤣 Additionally, his apartment in Switzerland remains his property. When he sells it, those are his individual funds.

2. Emma’s equity and ownership of her business remains fully hers. Timo has no say financially or ownership wise. If Emma were to sell the business, which she does, those are her individual funds regardless of their marital status.

3. They agree to have a joint bank account for household/child expenses and that will be considered marital property. Each of them also maintain personal accounts in Switzerland and the U.S. that are their individual property. Any new accounts opened during the marriage and interest earned will be treated as martial property.

4. After they are married and own more property together, they make an amendment to clarify further division of real estate in which Timo would get the Jersey home they build and Emma would get their lake home in Switzerland.

5. Their prenup is governed by Swiss law first. However, they do have additional U.S. law verbiage so it is considered valid in the United States as well. They each have to have a U.S. and Swiss lawyer during this process. They pay out the ass for this thing.

As for who would become Lio legal guardians if Timo and Emma weren’t around… you guessed it. Nico and Lexi Hischier. Their one request, which they discuss with them before naming them his guardians, is that they will live in Switzerland once Nico is done playing. They aren’t able to legally bind them to that, but Emma and Timo ask that if they won’t consider doing that, they tell them so they can reconsider. If they had said no, they would have picked Larissa. But Nico and Lexi immediately agree.

[misfitwashere]

From the Robber Barons to Elon Musk: Will History Repeat Itself?

Preparing for the Trump Regime, Part 1. 

ROBERT REICH

JAN 3

Friends,

Ultra-wealthy elites. Political corruption. Corporate monopolies. Anti-immigrant nativism. Vast inequality. 

These problems aren’t new. In the late 1800s, they dominated the country during America’s first Gilded Age. We overcame these abuses then, and we can do so again. 

Mark Twain coined the moniker “The Gilded Age” in his 1873 novel to describe the era in American history characterized by corruption and inequality that was masked by a thin layer of prosperity for a select few.

The end of the 19th century and start of the 20th marked a time of great invention — bustling railroads, telephones, motion pictures, electricity, automobiles — that changed American life forever.

But it was also an era of giant monopolies — oil, railroad, steel, finance — run by a small group of men who had grown rich beyond anything America had ever seen.

They were known as “robber barons” because they ran competitors out of business, exploited workers, charged customers exorbitant prices, and lived like royalty as a result.

Money consumed politics. Robber barons and their lackeys donated bundles of cash to any lawmaker willing to do bidding on their behalf. When lobbying wasn’t enough, the powerful moneyed interests turned to bribery — resulting in some of the most infamous political scandals in American history.

The gap between rich and poor in America reached record levels. Large numbers of Americans lived in squalor.

Anti-immigrant sentiment raged, leading to the enactment of racist laws to restrict immigration. It was also a time of voter suppression, largely aimed at Black men who had recently won the right to vote.

The era was also marked by dangerous working conditions. Children often as young as 10, but sometimes younger, worked brutal hours in sweatshops. Workers trying to organize labor unions were attacked and killed.

It seemed as if American capitalism was out of control, and American democracy couldn’t do anything about it because it was bought and paid for by the rich.

But America reached a tipping point. The nation was fed up. The public demanded reform. Many took to the streets in protest. Investigative journalists, often called “muckrakers” then, helped amplify their cries by exposing what was occurring throughout the country.

A new generation of political leaders rose to end the abuses.

Teddy Roosevelt warned that “a small class of enormously wealthy and economically powerful men, whose chief object is to hold and increase their power,” could destroy American democracy.

After becoming president in 1901, Roosevelt used the Sherman Antitrust Actto break up dozens of powerful corporations, including the giant Northern Securities Company, which had come to dominate railroad transportation through a series of mergers.

Seeking to limit the vast fortunes that were creating a new American aristocracy, Congress enacted a progressive income tax through the 16th Amendment, as well as two wealth taxes.

The first wealth tax, in 1916, was the estate tax — on the wealth someone accumulated during their lifetime, paid by the heirs who inherited it. The second tax on wealth, enacted in 1922, was a capital gains tax — on the increased value of assets, paid when those assets were sold.

The reformers of the Gilded Age also stopped corporations from giving money directly to politicians or political candidates.

Then Teddy Roosevelt’s fifth cousin (you may have heard of him) continued the work through his New Deal programs, creating Social Security,unemployment insurance, and a 40-hour workweek and requiring that employers bargain in good faith with labor unions.

But following the death of FDR and the end of World War II, and after America had built the largest middle class the world had ever seen, we seemed to forget about the abuses of the Gilded Age. 

The reforms that followed the first Gilded Age withered.

Starting with Reagan, taxes on the wealthy were lowered. Campaign finance laws were weakened. Social safety nets became frayed. Corporations stopped bargaining in good faith with labor unions.

Now, more than a century later, America has entered a second Gilded Age.

Monopolies are once again taking over vast swaths of the economy. So we must strengthen antitrust enforcement to bust up powerful companies.

Now another generation of robber barons, exemplified by Elon Musk, is accumulating unprecedented money and power. So, once again, we must tax these exorbitant fortunes.

Wealthy individuals and big corporations are once again paying off lawmakers, sending them billions to conduct their political campaigns, even giving luxurious gifts to Supreme Court justices. So we must protect our democracy from Big Money, just as we did before.

As it was during the first Gilded Age, voter suppression is too often making it harder for people of color to participate in our democracy. So it’s once again critical to defend and expand voting rights.

Working people are once again being exploited and abused, child labor is returning, unions are being busted, the poor are again living in unhealthy conditions, homelessness is on the rise, and the gap between the ultra-rich and everyone else is nearly as large as in the first Gilded Age. 

So once again we need to protect the rights of workers to organize, invest in social safety nets, and revive guardrails to protect against the abuses of great wealth and power.

Seeking these goals may seem quixotic right now, just weeks before Trump and his regime take power with a bilious bunch of billionaires. 

But if history is any guide, they will mark the last gasp of America’s second Gilded Age. We will reach the tipping point where Americans demand restraints on robber-baron greed. 

The challenge is the same as it was at the start of the 20th century: To fight for an economy and a democracy that works for all rather than the few. 

I realize how frightening and depressing the future may look right now. But we have succeeded before, when we fought against the abuses of the first Gilded Age. We can — and must — do so again now, in America’s second Gilded Age. 

[fantasy-anatomy-analyst]

Dwarf matriarch anon. Thank you for answering as well as the article, it helped iron out some of the details. I thought I’d also give some extra context and for my dwarves, especially their marriage and courtship if that’s alright with you. See if their some extra advice you could give that could help out.

As stated in the previous ask, dwarf women are the leaders of their families and communities, with dwarf men expected to be the servants to their families and communities. Dwarves do have quite lot of competition when it comes to mate selection, as part of their male skewed sex ratio and Dwarf women being notoriously picky. Dwarven women have all the power of choice when it comes to mate selection, often having high standards for men they consider husband material.

The general beauty & romantic standards for dwarf cultures are pretty consistent. Traits valued in men diligence/ honesty/ self discipline/ and having practical skills and knowledge. Physically men are expected to have stout builds, with a lot of muscle and a healthy lair of fat on top. Long, luxurious well kept beards are also highly attractive, beard fashion and maintenance being an art form among dwarf men. For women desirable traits include intelligence/ assertiveness/ decisiveness/ and strong wills. Physically dwarf women are expected to be plump yet active (basically fat, but not so fat that it impedes her health/mobility) with long hair and fluffy neck manes (the idea came to me firmly believing dwarf women should be hairy and neck manes seemed like a good distinction). And let’s not forget the sexiest traits of all across all sapient species/ gender identities/ & sexual orientations… emotional maturity & self confidence.

The general structure for traditional dwarven marriages the wife as the family matriarch, followed by her husbands and their children. The wife is both the legal and cultural “head of household”, she is the owner of the family estates and asserts, clan name and inheritance is passed down matrilineally. Spouses and children take on the women’s name & become part of her familial clan. The wife is the family leader, running the household and providing guidance, her husbands serve her by helping provide supplies & income to upkeep the household, and everyone pitches in for childcare. Dwarves have no regard for paternity, all children born in a marriage are every husband’s child on both cultural & legal level, all of them taking fatherly responsibility for their wife’s kids. The standard amount of husbands a dwarf women has is usually around 2-4, with introducing new husbands into the marriage being quite the affair. A slacker/ liar/ or abuser will not be tolerated by her or her spouses, being kicked out extremely quick.

In general courtship, men are expected to make the first move and court her, with it being the women’s decision if he’s worth her time and attention. Dwarf women will often test and perform full analysis of any potential partner, to see if he has good character and what he’s capable of offering her emotionally/ financially/ etc… . Dwarven women will not tolerate incompetent losers/ machismo jerks/ or immature man babies in the slightest, wanting men who prove themselves mature and competent. Dwarf men are taught from an early age to not expect marriage and that’s theirs no shame in being single, that women word is law and rejection is final, and that if they seek marriage they must make themselves worthy of it. Dwarf men who seek courtship being quite competitive with each other and push themselves towards self improvement, to make themselves the best husband material they can be with the hope of catching a woman’s attention. Many dwarf men don’t marry, avoiding the competition outright and dedicating themselves to their job and their clan and find personal fulfillment that way.

Dwarf incels are those men born from the losers of this competition. Undesirable men who can’t compete with the married men for a woman’s hand, yet keep trying anyway despite constant failure and rejection. Like irl incels these dwarf men critically misunderstand dwarf women & courtship due to selfishness & immaturity, and blame their constant failure on women being “too picky” instead of their own ineptitude. Often growing into an entitlement complex cause they focus on all the superficial traits instead of the meaningful traits women actually want, and can’t understand why they don’t get picked, their frustration often leading to violence. (And let’s just say dwarf society has NO forgiveness or mercy for violence against women or sex crimes in general. He’ll be lucky if the guards get to him before the inevitable angry mob does).

As for LGBT & interspecies relationships for dwarves these can get abit more complicated and I’m still ironing out the details for them. There are no hybrids in this world so that does make interspecies couples quite a controversial topic in-universe. In general dwarf men are more likely to enter interspecies relationships then women, for quite afew reasons. Halfling’s & gnomes tend to be common coupling due to a roughly similar size and values. Dwarves & elves get along in those world, both are matriarchal cultures and have allied on numerous occasions (elves in this world have the opposite gender ratio. Having more females then males and have an Amazonian type culture) however differences in gender roles and beauty standards make romantic partnerships between dwarves and elves rare. Humans and orcs are patriarchal and quite misogynistic so theirs a lot friction and confusion that goes couplings between them and dwarves via culture clash. Dwarves & goblins are major enemies so romance between them rare and highly frowned upon. As for queer dwarves, I imagine their more accepting of gay men then lesbian women, simply due to social status & religious stuff. Having a view of homosexuality similar to ancient china that same sex relations are a “silly, frivolous choice” and not innate, unchanging parts of the person, which women should be “above such things”. As for trans-dwarves I’m imagining it’s not very good either, not really to point of violence or criminality, but defiantly stigmatized and questioned.

I can't really think of any specific advice to give, this is all very well thought out! I love seeing people get creative with so much detail, it really helps an idea stand out and feel unique.

[willsandtrusts]

When creating a will or trust, naming your primary beneficiary is one of the most crucial decisions. This individual stands first in line to inherit your assets after your passing. But what happens if this primary beneficiary predeceases you? This situation, while disheartening, is more common than you might think. Understanding the implications and planning accordingly is paramount. This article delves into what happens when a primary beneficiary in the UK predeceases the will or trust creator.

[7thcirclebaker]

Alright, so since we don't know who's the lead for season 4, and we mostly think Eloise needs someone who will actually call her out on stuff, and clearly the canon relationships at this point are up for grabs, I propose a Theloise potential storyline.

In this season there was the focus on heirs and family inheritance and how surprise titles just are like a thing. From Season 2, we know the Sheffields don't have a male heir, or at least we can assume so, as we never see or hear of one. As Edwina has made a good match on the continent, likely her first born son would inherit whatever title is there, assuming there's only one. And she doesn't seem to have gotten pregnant yet either. This means the Sheffields would need to hold out another couple of years to have an heir, even from the daughter they basically disinherited. But clearly, it's also possible for families to go searching for the nearest male next of kin who would inherit which we saw in the Mondrich plotline this season.

Enter Theo, a like 4th cousin of the Sheffields. They find him, and quite forcefully don't let him out if it, because well he can actually read and is young, fit, and healthy. But he's really not a fan of this, doesn't want it really, is always talking about workers rights etc. in an attempt to tire him out, and for him to be more palatable to the Ton, they buy him a commission, because there's very much a war on. It's a cushy one that's unlikely to see too much battle so he's not at major risk but it should alter his life priorities or something.

Danbury hears that the Sheffields are sending this poor lad of to war, doesn't connect Theo Heir to be Sheffields, to Eloise's printer apprentice Theo and tells Kate about him. They decide to invite him to the next ball as he's kind of her cousin and she wants to do some fence mending. Eloise bumps into him there and they're both just an absolute mess, but like defensively angry at the other. Still people don't connect them to the scandal from season 2, and the only one Eloise would tell is Pen, who won't be writing about this.

They cool off after a little bit and send an apology letter, I wanna say Eloise apologizes first because Pen calls her out faster, and also Theo might die like, is that what you really want the last things you've said to him to be. Thus we get the letters over several months.

Boom! Combat! Things actually go pretty okay, and Theo gets a commendation and a shiny medal. He's horribly wounded though, like weren't sure he'd survive wounded. He does, and gets sent to the country for air from the military hospital only no one told Eloise. So she's thinking he's ignoring her or dead, he thinks she's ignoring him because he's now somewhat fucked up (I wanna say in a way that means being a professional printer is no longer viable because of the work, so he has to accept that he's the Heir now). Someone tells Eloise that he's not dead and is in fact at the Sheffields. She storms herself up there all abluster and yells at him for letting her think he was dead and after that last letter was somewhat touching and like maybe he proposed in it. They argue, they make up, they make out.

Eloise was of course unchaperoned, as we'll say the Sheffields died or were in the city lauding how great their heir was in battle. We get three angry Bridgerton Brothers battle ready for their baby sister. They agree to get married and the family slowly come around once they see how in love they actually are. Also because he's like actually maybe willing to ask for help about how to do the estate management and also how he can implement some reforms and it makes his brother's in law think about the estates they manage and do some reform as well. Everyone wins.

[horsesarecreatures]

Hi! I’m a big fan of the great pictures u post/reblog and your clear passion for animals :) As an incoming law student I haven’t seen many other law students who have such full lives / take part in so many non-academic or career related activites outside of school. I would love to emulate a somewhat similar lifestyle once I begin law school, would you be willing to share about how you manage your time to maintain such a balance? Have a great day! ❤️

Aww thank you! There are a variety of factors, some related to my personality and others are just how my fate turned out.

Personality wise, I'm extremely introverted and prefer being alone most of the time. I'm not in a relationship, so I have more time to myself. I also only go out with friends like once a month during the school semesters, if that. Finally, I don't have a TV or many other technology distractions, which forces me to turn to my hobbies more when I'm bored.

Then I was very fortunate because I got accepted to my law school with a full scholarship (I had a 3.9 something undergrad GPA and 165 LSAT score). Less lucky is that my dad passed away a few years back. It was a horrible time for me, but I do acknowledge that I was luckier than some people in the same situation because I inherited a house, and used the extra money from selling my brother's during the COVID real estate boom to get an apartment really close to my campus (his house was more valuable than mine so I got some of the difference in value to make things more fair). These two things have taken a ton of financial pressure off me. I still have to work, but not insane amounts to pay off debt.

For whatever reason, I also just learn really well with standard teaching methods, and I'm a good test taker. I don't bring a laptop to class, and writing notes by hand has been shown in studies to improve memory retention. So to be honest I don't spend too much time studying and still manage to do good.

I know I post a lot about reselling, but that's not my main job. My main jobs are tutoring and babysitting. For tutoring, I make $60-$80 per session, so it's not minimum wage and I don't have to do it for hours everyday. Then for babysitting, I work for doctors/nurses/other people that need late late night shifts. These shifts pay more, and the kids are mostly sleeping when I'm there, so I'm able to do my readings and case briefings at work most week.

My current internship writing policy suggestions for a nonprofit is remote and has a flexible schedule, so I usually do that work late at night as well.

My sleep schedule is trash and tbh I don't sleep enough. But I get things done! Lol.

Also, I can't emphasize this enough, try not to commute to school from far away! Try to live nearby. So many of my classmates commute from NYC and I feel terrible for them. Many have told me that they initially planned to do homework on the train/subway, but the reality is they usually can't because of distractions or lack of a seat.

[carolofthebell]

Head-cannon: What if Cinderella’s father willed his entire estate to “the care of Cinderella”?

Her step-mother only had access while she was responsible for Cinderella. Depending on the laws of the land this could extend either till Cinderella came of age or until she was wed; at which point her husband would be within his rights to banish the step-mother and her daughters from his new holdings. The step-mother is desperate to secure advantageous marriages for her own daughters before that happens. She’s bitter and spiteful of the girl who inherited everything at her perceived expense. She’s unable to simply trust in the child’s good-will specifically because she trusted the girl’s father and received no such consideration. Her resentment comes out in pettiness, if the girl will own everything she can maintain everything. Why should stepmother toil over the upkeep of an estate that will never be her own? This has the added benefit of keeping Cinderella busy out of the public eye and away from potential suitors.

In conclusion: I think she has the potential to be a classic tragic protagonist. Like Macbeth and Oedipus her downfall is the direct product of her own quest for financial security.

[betterestate]

The Essential Guide to Estate Planning Services

Estate planning is a vital process that ensures your assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes after you’re gone. It’s not just about money—it’s about securing your legacy, protecting your loved ones, and making sure your intentions are clear. Whether you own a modest home or a sprawling estate, estate planning services can help you create a roadmap for your future. In this blog, we’ll dive into what estate planning services are, why they matter, how to choose the right provider, and more. With headings, a conclusion, and FAQs, this guide will give you a complete picture of this essential topic.

What Are Estate Planning Services?

Estate planning services encompass professional assistance designed to help you organize your financial and personal affairs. These services typically involve creating legal documents to manage your assets during your lifetime and after your passing. Here’s what they often include:

Wills: A legal document that spells out who gets your assets after you die.

Trusts: Arrangements that let you control how and when your assets are distributed, often with added benefits like tax savings.

Powers of Attorney: Documents that appoint someone to make decisions for you—financial or medical—if you’re unable to do so.

Healthcare Directives: Instructions for your medical care if you can’t communicate your preferences.

These tools work together to form a solid plan, ensuring your wishes are followed and your family is supported.

Why Estate Planning Services Matter

You might wonder, “Do I really need this?” The answer is yes—and here’s why. Estate planning services offer benefits that go beyond just dividing up your stuff:

Control: You decide who gets what, rather than leaving it to state laws.

Protection: Your assets can be safeguarded from excessive taxes, creditors, or legal challenges.

Efficiency: A good plan can skip probate, saving your family time and money.

Clarity: It reduces confusion or disputes among heirs by making your intentions crystal clear.

Without a plan, your loved ones could face stress, legal battles, or financial uncertainty. Estate planning services give you peace of mind and them a smoother path forward.

How to Choose the Right Estate Planning Service

Picking the right provider is a big decision—it’s about trust, expertise, and fit. Not all estate planning services are created equal, so here’s what to look for:

Experience: Choose professionals who know estate law inside and out.

Comprehensive Offerings: Make sure they can handle everything you need—wills, trusts, and more.

Reputation: Read reviews or ask for referrals to see how they’ve helped others.

Clear Pricing: Avoid surprises by picking a service with transparent costs.

For those searching for a reliable option, BetterEstate estate planning stands out with its all-in-one approach, blending expertise with a focus on making the process straightforward and secure. It’s worth researching providers like this to find one that aligns with your goals.

Debunking Estate Planning Myths

Estate planning comes with its share of misconceptions that can hold people back. Let’s clear up a few:

“It’s Only for Rich People”: Nope! If you have a house, a car, or kids, you have something worth planning for.

“A Will Covers Everything”: A will is a start, but trusts and other tools often provide more control and protection.

“I’ll Do It Once and Be Done”: Life changes—divorce, new grandkids, a big inheritance—mean your plan needs updates.

Getting past these myths helps you see estate planning for what it is: a practical step for almost everyone.

Steps to Start Your Estate Plan

Ready to take action? Here’s a simple roadmap to get going:

Take Stock: List your assets—bank accounts, property, jewelry, anything of value.

Set Goals: Think about what matters most—supporting your spouse, funding a child’s education, or donating to charity.

Find a Pro: Pick an estate planning service or attorney who fits your needs.

Build the Plan: Work with them to draft your documents, asking questions along the way.

Keep It Fresh: Check your plan every 3-5 years or after major life events.

It’s not as daunting as it sounds—breaking it into steps makes it manageable.

Conclusion

Estate planning services aren’t just about paperwork—they’re about taking care of the people and causes you love. From crafting wills to setting up trusts, these services help you protect your assets, avoid legal headaches, and ensure your wishes are honored. By choosing a reputable provider and staying proactive, you can build a plan that stands the test of time. Don’t put it off—start today and give yourself and your family the gift of certainty.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a will and a trust? A will dictates who inherits your assets after you die, while a trust manages assets during and after your life, often bypassing probate for faster distribution.

How much do estate planning services cost? It depends—simple plans might cost a few hundred dollars, while complex ones with trusts could run into the thousands. Ask for a quote upfront.

Can I handle estate planning myself? You can try, but DIY plans risk mistakes that might not hold up legally. Pros ensure everything’s airtight.

When should I revisit my estate plan? Update it after big changes like marriage, a new baby, or buying property—otherwise, every few years is a good rule of thumb.

What if I skip estate planning altogether? If you don’t plan, state laws decide who gets your assets, which might not match your wishes, and your family could face delays or disputes.

[astrologycharts242]

Me reading Jungkook's Tropical chart 2nd house (Part 2)

I'll upload the video and the transcript of it. At the end I added the wrong chart but it is what it is.

Something I forgot to mention in the previous video. With Jupiter being in aquarius 2nd house. This made Jungkook had a very weird or unusual childhood than the average person. Not in a bad way because his Jupiter is more so positive. His Jupiter makes him want to speak about trying to make society a better place.

All because aquarius is about humanitarianism and environmental science. Moving along his Jupiter aspects the 8th house of in laws (any in laws), not just the spouse's family, but Spouse's money, gifts, unearned money, inheritance etc. Perfect in regards to money because now Jupiter increases the amount of unearned money and gifts Jungkook obtains in his lifetime. Yeah he would be one of those types of people that would have other people willingly give him money and gifts. Gifts for particularly birthdays and Christmas. I wonder if his fans send him gifts?

A way he gets unearned money can happen is through inheritance. Keep in mind too 8th house is the spouse's finances so if he gets married or engaged We can easily assume he ends up with a spouse that has slightly above average income than the average individual. Since Jupiter increases the spouse's finances. He might have a spouse that comes from a big family background.

Here's the thing though since Jupiter in aquarius is giving its energy to the 8th house.Jungkook would have weird inlaws. Any in laws not just the spouse's family could be a sister in law.Another too whenever Jupiter influences the 8th house regardless of the sign a person becomes heavily involved. Involved with occult sciences like astrology.

Jungkook is definitely willing to pay an astrologer or a tarot/psychic reader. His views on things like astrology are kinda unusual. He wants scientific proof or a legitimate reason to believe in things like astrology. When he does indulge in those mystical things he won't do it the traditional way that it is practiced. People like to say Jupiter expands things and the 8th house represents genitalia but I'm not gonna get into that discussion. 🤣🤣

Things of the 2nd house like money sources go into the 4th house. This means 4th house stuff like homes, vehicles, the mother etc become reasons for Jungkook gaining money. Then I remembered reading on my Twitter show picture of someone saying the 4th house represents our birth place. Turns out that might definitely be true for Jungkook. As we know he made lots of money from performing in Korea. This 2nd house placement that he has shows a person making money from local governments too.I wouldn't know how the local government stuff works for him though. His role would be to administer things. Which if he was to ever work a local government job or a partnership with the local government. Then Jungkook is doing something upper management related because Saturn is in the 4th house.

I could go on forever about this placement like how homes can make him money. Obviously most would say that's real estate. I think it's more so construction and him selling land rather than actual homes. 2nd house is family right? Connected to the house of homes or birth place. This means most of his family members stay in Korea and that's where his family lineage is from. Additionally family members stay in his homes. With Saturn in the 4th house either Jungkook's family members are restricted from going into residences that he stays in.

Now which family members? Only he or his family would know 🤣

Regardless if they do Jungkook doesn't like family members being in his home or vehicles. This shows family events happens in the places he lives. The house of savings is connected with the mother. I wouldn't know how that works but I don't think he would be a fan of his mother managing his savings. Which his mother doing so is very likely.

2nd house shows what we speak about so he speaks about local governments, what's going on his home environments. From the perspective of how it affects him rather than others. For example the local government implements a new law. Rather than Jungkook talking about how it affects the citizens of South Korea. He instead talks about how it affects himself. Since Saturn is in Aries. Aries represents the 1st house which is yourself.

This could show he keeps his savings in South Korea as well because the 4th house is birth place.

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