Conditional Gift Begins New Tradition

Before his death in 2010, 90-year-old Albert Ravenholt madea will containing a clause stating his family must attend a reunion every twoyears to receive their inheritance.

Specifically, Albert has a trust stipulating that every twoyears, in either August or September, his nieces and nephews must meet in PolkCounty, Wisconsin.  If they fail to show,they are cut off for the next two years.

Albert created this condition in order to bring his familyback together, most of whom had spread out all across the United States.  Yearly distributions are only about $1,100,but family members will forfeit the next few checks if they fail to show.  All but two nieces and nephews attended thelast reunion, one starting a new job and the other with an ongoing illness.  Under the terms of the trust, the ill familymember will still receive his distributions with 60 days notice of his absence.

See Boyd Huppert, Man Provides for his Heirs, But There’s aCondition: They Have to Reunite Every 2 Years, Star Tribune, Oct. 5, 2013.

Special thanks to Stacey Seibel (Seibel Law Office,LLC) for bringing this article to my attention.