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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 2000)
January 2U2ÛQ0 ? J a a t M tfj2 5 his morning I woke up thinking about who could be the witnesses for the signing of my last will and testament. I must admit this is quite a serious thought to have prior to my morning coffee, but creating my will has been a sub ject that has popped into my thoughts periodically during the past several years. My thoughts about writing my will surfaced three years ago after my separation and subsequent divorce from my husband. I was married for 10 years but never felt the need to draw up a will. My impression was that since everything from the checking account to the house was in both names, the laws would protect the rights of my spouse in the event of my death. I took no action toward making my will and, finding it difficult to face my own mortality, did as many people do: I procrastinated. My thoughts about drawing up a will took on more signifi cance after my partner, G ina Ortola, and I had been dating awhile. I began to ask myself questions like “What if something by S herri O piel happened to me?” and “Who are the most important people in my life r Also, since my parents had no knowledge about Gina or my transition into my lesbian identity, I began to think about how awful it would be if I died and my parents and Gina were to meet under such stressful circum stances. My parents would never realize just how important G ina was in my life, and G ina would not only have to deal with my death, she would be in the awkward position of explaining our relationship and would be responsible for my posthumous coming out event. I did not want to put my parents or Gina in such an awkward position. After three-plus years of taking no action, I was finally prompted to take the next steps. My love for G ina has been the major factor in my decision. I realized the laws that pro tected my spouse in the event of my death would not be there for my partner, Gina. Without a will, I am not sure who would be the recipient of my estate. My first step in the process was to come out to my parents during my most recent visit with them in Florida in April. I wanted them to know the real me and to understand just how important G ina is in my life. Even Sherri Opiel (standing) ponders paperwork with her love, Gina Ortola though they have not been receptive toward DOLLARS & SENSE I will survive A Portland woman procrastinates no more and affirms her life and love with a last will and testament Queer financial resources Portland H ousing Center is a nonprofit organization that offers classes and counseling to help first-time home buyers in the Portland metro area reach their goal. The center can hook up buyers with special programs designed to help lower-income people make die leap to home ownership. T he center is located at York, Christopher Street Financial (www.csfin.com) is a full-service investment firm owned by, staffed by and targeted at sexu al minorities. In addition, this organization has expertise in dealing with the legal issues of same-sex couples. P ortland H om ing Canter is a nonprofit organization th at offers classes and counseling to help first-tim e home buyers in the Portland m etro area reach th eir goal 1605 N .E 45th S t but holds orientation ses sions at many locations. To find out more, call (503) 282-7744. G ay Financial Netw ork launched its Inter net site (www.gfh.com) in 1997. The New York-baaed company offers customers a myriad of specialized personal financial services and has a Beginner’s C om er for newbie investors. Founded in 1981 and also based in New If it’s mutual funds you crave, consider Meyers Capital Management and its Meyers Pride Value Fund (www.pridefimd.com), a no- load fund that invests only in companies with open workplace policies. G & L Bank, based in Pensacola, Fla., is believed to be the first national gay-oriented bank. It opened in October 1999 on the Inter net. (Its U RL is www.g-lbank.com.) The bank intends to market products designed for gay and lesbian couples who may feel uncom fortable and forced to be deceptive when applying for loans together. ^ Smart Spending is a guide to socially responsi ble shopping and investing for sexual minorities. While it has a few pages of thought-provoking introduc tion, this is mainly a com pendium of well-known com panies, their policies and prac tices. The author also explores these companies’ attitudes toward women, people of color, environmental issues and the ethical treatment of animals, then rates them on a six-point scale o f progressiveness. A useful primer, but limited by its format to fairly brief information about each company. Written by Grant Luk- embill, it was published in 1999 by Alyson Publications and sells for $15.95 in paperback. WvV V&l AA A. ■: W . ' my identity and have not acknowledged my relationship with Gina, I have found comfort in knowing the groundwork is in place in the event that I become ill or die. My second step occurred only recently. Yes, 1 procrastinated some more during my process, but over the holiday break 1 took the next step. I wanted to find a preprinted last will and testa ment form to fill out myself. I found a source in the Yellow Pages: Stevens-Ness Law Publishing Company, located in down town Portland. For only $4-50,1 purchased a will kit, which con tained the will and instructions. One section within the will pro vides a place to give specific items of property to specific people. Another section is used to designate the individual or individu als to receive the remainder of the estate after all debts and indi vidual gifts have been distributed. The form also suggests con tacting an attorney for specific questions. As I reviewed the form and began to fill out my will, I realized 1 could give special items and property to specific people without adversely affecting G ina’s interests. The will g encouraged me to open my mind and think | more broadly about my extended family and | what special things 1 could do for them. > Also, filling out my will allowed Gina and S I to talk about how difficult it would be if ? one of us died. We both agreed that the one remaining would need time away from work to grieve and heal. A s a result, we have both been reviewing our 401 (k) and life insurance information to make sure that each of us would have the option to take off work for a substantial period of time and be taken care of financially over the long term. A t this point 1 have filled out the form, but I do have a few questions and intend to step through a final review with an attorney to ease my mind. To avoid any further delays, however, I signed my will today with two friends as my witnesses. ■ SHERRI O piel lives with her partner, G in a, m N ortheast Portland with their dog, N ikon, and their two cats, Em m a and O pie. This article shows her responsible side, but she prefers approaching life from her more playful and spirit ed side. She strives to keep balance between work, fam ily, friends and time for herself.
