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In a message dated 4/17/03 2:45:21 AM, kerrin@... writes:

<< We have sorted all that out with our wills and here in NZ you can make
your house a joint family home which, to simplify, means that whoever has the
kids has the house. >>

What a GREAT idea!!!!

Do the kids have to agree to sell it too?

My dad sold our house out from under us while I was away at college. I found
out from the neighbor who had bought the orchard that our other neighbor was
buying the house. I burst into tears. I've never told my kids this story.
I was hitchhiking home for the weekend, with my boyfriend from India, and we
were picked up in Santa Fe by Mr. Vigil, who lived right behind us, and who
taught Spanish at Santa Fe High. In the first five minutes of the half hour
ride, I was crying. I was seventeen and hadn't even known the house had been
put up for sale.

Just the whiff of this New Zealand law brought that memory swirling up. It
seems hugely fair and wonderful from a kid's point of view.

GOOD!!!

Sandra