THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016
FEATURES
Tomorrow’s horoscope
Should parents make will equal?
Dear Annie: My wife of 44
years and I have two adopted chil-
dren. Our son was perfect — no
trouble, a college diploma, a good
job, etc. We bought him a car at
16, and another when he graduated
college. We helped with the fur-
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loaned him the down payment on
his house and he paid us back.
Our daughter, however, was a
challenge. She abused drugs, had
no interest in school, ran away, had
multiple out-of-wedlock pregnan-
cies, couldn’t hold a job and ended
up in jail for shoplifting. Over the
years, we spent thousands of dol-
lars on counseling, purchased mul-
tiple apartments of furniture when
she was trying to get re-estab-
lished, and have given her a dozen
cars so that she could get to her job
interviews. Fortunately, she seems
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and has been married several years
to a guy who treats her and her
children well.
In an effort to equalize the dis-
proportional amount spent on the
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that our son would get 60 percent
of our estate, putting 40 percent in
a trust, so our daughter would get
the interest and the rest would go
to her children at her death. She
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy
Mitchell and
Marcy Sugar
still doesn’t work, and I am con-
cerned that she would go through
a lump sum inheritance in short
order.
That split seemed reasonable
when we made our wills 15 years
ago, but my business has contin-
ued to grow and today that split
would result in one child receiving
$2.4 million more than the other. I
don’t want a rift between siblings
and I don’t particularly want to be
remembered by one as a Grinch.
Any suggestions on a split that is a
little closer to fair? — Your Opin-
ion Please
Dear Opinion: We know you
spent more on your daughter, but
children’s expenses rarely end up
being equal, so the split now seems
as though you are punishing her for
past mistakes. And her money is in
a trust, so it is essentially going to
your grandchildren.
Too many people think of wills
as a way to punish or reward their
relatives. Please don’t. The amount
is generous enough that neither
child is going to suffer. We also
recommend you discuss these
things with your son and daugh-
ter in advance, so that there are no
unpleasant surprises.
Dear Annie: “Stressed on the
Line” said her mother has hear-
ing problems, among other things.
For a long time, I refused the idea
of hearing aids, and my husband
and children were insistent. Well, I
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have to say, they are wonderful. I
can hear again, and as a big plus,
they are so small that very few
people notice them, even though I
have short hair.
I hope their mother will get
hearing aids. She will wonder why
she waited so long. — Happy in
Wisconsin
Dear Happy: Good for you.
Often, people refuse hearing aids
for reasons of vanity, which is
ridiculous since they now offer
ones that are barely noticeable.
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son is the cost. We hope folks will
consider them to be an investment
in their future physical, emotional
and mental health.
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By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re not
worried about whether or not you can rise
to the occasion of what’s expected of you
because you’ve already come to expect
so much more from yourself.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There are
times when getting ready for the event
is just as fun as going to the event. Then
there are times when it’s way more fun,
which may be the case in the upcoming
deal. Enjoy all of today’s preparations!
CANCER (June 22-July 22). There will
be many different entities competing for
your attention and only you know which
needs it most — not necessarily the
squeakiest wheel either. What’s noisiest
isn’t automatically most important.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Opportunities
seem to be rushing outside of your win-
dow, when in reality they are not. The
chances worth taking are now, and have
always been, inside you. Your potential
can be activated at any moment you will
it to be so.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). While some
may be able to take comfort and heart
in their associations, there is no security
for you in the success of others. There’s
something in you that has to make it on
your own. It is not in your nature to form
dependencies.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You believe
in and work toward a better life for all —
not just a better life for you and yours. It
is because of your broadminded efforts
and elastic heart that you’ll net fantastic
fortunes today.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You will
achieve prominence in a community. This
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
could be a social club, party affiliation, on-
line community or other. However it shows
up, enjoy knowing that this comes with
power and a responsibility that you won’t
take lightly.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). When
you hear yourself speaking what you don’t
mean or doing what you don’t want to do,
stop and consider what might be causing
this duplicity. Once you figure it out, realign
yourself properly. You’ll be unstoppable.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The
reason why you’re able to let the good (or
otherwise) opinions of others roll off your
back is that your private rating system for
yourself is far more stringent than anyone
else’s.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). What you
know is enough. It’s what you’re supposed
to know. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
It won’t highlight the holes in your knowl-
edge, but it will fill them in.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The way
you wish things were — that is a good
starting place from which your creative
brain can weave a little magic. So what
would you ask that genie in a bottle for
today?
THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 18).
You’re a sponge for learning all you need
to know to make a quantum leap into the
life you’ve been dreaming of. You’ll be ed-
ucated by comfortable routines, and you’ll
be educated by swirls of excitement and
adventure. The responsibility you claim
in April will lead July’s financial boon. An
August wedding brings joy. Gemini and Pi-
sces adore you. Your lucky numbers are:
4, 33, 28, 16 and 50.