Is guns part of heirloom?

Question

After my dad dies, the Will said we all get all the family heirloom then later in about 2 years later, I found out the common-law (my dad's girlfriend) still has several guns left and kept them and that should be given to us. So, is guns part of heirloom? She hates guns, but keeping them to remember my dad. Is that wrong?

Answer 1

She  has no right to keep them!

Answer 2

I would say so, especially if they were given to your dad or if they are considered antiques.

Answer 3

Make a deal with her, trade her something that you got and are willing to part with in trade for the firearms

Answer 4

An heirloom is something passed down through generations

If the guns belonged to your grandfather then your father they should go to you

Other than that for it to be considered as a heirloom in the will it would have had to be listed as such

These generic wills are often up to  interpretation they could very well be considered community property especially if they were bought when the tow of them were together

If they do not fit the legal definition of heirloom you need to be graceful and tactful in how you handle it

If you just go take them you may very well find your self unable to ever own guns again

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Guns do not possess some magical automatic distinction of heirloom

They are just things no more or less than a pocket watch a bender or a typewriter

Unless there is some history attached to that thing it in no way qualifies as an heirloom and unfortunately the asker has no more right to them than she

It could be the very reason that she keeps them is because she is an anti and that is what attaches them firmly to his memory for her

Answer 5

guns is but the bullet are not

Answer 6

I think, if she hates guns, why keep em'?

If you like gun/shooting/hunting....then march over there and gett your dads guns.

Answer 7

It's going to depend the legal use of the word "heirloom" in your state and the bet advice is to consult an attorney (try Legal Aid or the Bar Assoc. Helpline for a free consult).

I would talk to the girlfriend first....tell her how important they are to you, maybe if you have a story about your dad teaching tyou to shoot, etc.  

Answer 8

May I suggest you have a calm quiet conversation with her about your Dad's guns.  If she is anti-gun, and really wants a keepsake of your Dad, offer a trade.  A piece or two of his jewelry, a favorite book, some of his clothing, or a favorite tool might do as well.

Whatever you do, don't go into the conversation with an attitude of "I'm his son and she's just a trashy girlfriend with no right to my Dad's stuff."  This is a surefire way to ensure that the discussion turns real nasty real fast.  Regardless of your opinion of or feelings about the woman, your Dad apparently loved her, and she apparently loved him.  Out of respect for your Dad, you should treat her with respect.

Good Luck,

Doc

Answer 9

The guns legally are part of your inheritance.

If she's really keeping them in remembrance, it might be kind

to allow her to keep them until she passes, if it can be amicably arranged.

Answer 10

In my opinion, the guns should be part of the inheritance, but as you have learned, possession is 9 tenths of the law. The same thing happened to me after my dad died. Things weren't too well described in his will, and I was away at college when the stuff got divided. One of my sisters ended up with most of his guns (including a sweet cap-and-ball revolver). Her scummy husband (at the time) took them to a pawn shop and sold them. Luckily, another brother-in-law of mine knew the pawnbroker and was able to buy most of them back at a decent price. But the revolver is long gone.

I would advise you to sit down quietly with your dad's girlfriend and ask her if you could buy the guns or trade her somrthing else that has sentimental value. If she insists that you buy them, have her get a price at a pawn shop (they'll probably offer her 25 cents on the dollar for what they're really worth) and then you can make her a deal. It might help your cause if you explain the sentimental attachment you have to the guns, and unless she's incredibly hard-hearted, I bet you two can work something out.