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View Full Version : Advice on a transwoman's estate



terrinoble
02-28-2009, 04:17 PM
I have an online friend who runs an auction service, and he emailed his dilemma to me:

"We have a new potential client that took me through a household estate yesterday.
Fran died after doing a seventy five mile bike ride, and then celebrating with friends last summer. She was riding home when she pulled over, set the bike down, layed on the grass and died.
Fran's home is in a small conservative WI town, and her neighbors WOULD NOT understand that five years ago she used to be Fred.
Fred was a mining engineer, and could build, or fix anything. The house and garages are full of many tools and machines.
Fran's son in law was extremely relieved that I accept people's differences.
I would like to talk on the phone with you about how to
be sensitive and respectful to this extraordinary individual and her family, while dealing with the community at large to take care of this estate."

I just had that conversation. He suggested that the estate sale be advertised as Fred and Fran's property, as if they were a couple instead of being one and the same. I agreed, though I know that there could be a better idea to publicize the auction. Your help is appreciated.

"Mary"
02-28-2009, 04:32 PM
Gee Terri, at first this sounded tough, but I'm thinking about few estate sales, I've been to, and the potential buyers didn't haveo t know all the details of the person's family life. For all they know, Fran could have been a widow hanging on to husband's or father's stuff.... A brother who got killed in the war..

Then there are the neighbors. I'll bet a neat little vague cover story would do. Besides, after the estate sells, will anyone in the family have anything to do with those old neighbors?

Good luck.