Tina:  Oh god, what a nightmare that would be. Oh, and I still have some residual payments coming in from Tribeca Films.  We may want to leave a New York account open until those have been completed. All your compensation has been completed, correct?

Bette:  I think my retirement matches may still be in transit, but I do not plan on moving the retirement accounts for a while.  Once we get settled in a new home, we can talk about moving those to a California based investment advisor and trustee. Everything else I was due has been paid.

Tina:  I cannot believe that Melvin included me in the will!  Are you okay with that Bette?

Bette:  Tina, I am thrilled with it. You will have half of my inheritance and therefore you have some financial security in addition to our savings and your retirement. Now I have no idea how much this is going to amount to. I did not figure this amount in my projections for income and expenses.  It’s added cushion for our retirement. Whatever this is, this gives you more financial independence and security the moment you receive it. And that makes me feel good. I want you to know that our money is our money.  You have just as much right to determine where it goes as I do. But this will be independent money. Depending on how much it is, I may keep it in my name only and I want you to keep yours in your name only. Of course, California is a joint property state anyway. No matter what, we both own and have a right to what the other owns and acquired during the marriage.

Tina:  Well, thank you Bette. But I do not need an account in my name only to feel secure financially with you. But we may need to have our wills reviewed after we see what we are getting and moving to California.  We need to know what the joint property status effects and if we should make some adjustments.

Bette:  That’s a good idea as well.  Maybe sometime this fall after we are in our new home. I need to get someone to look and see if my projections are anywhere near realistic.