Wildwood Estate Firearm Transition:

Managing Heritage Assets During Memory Care Relocation

A Wildwood family recently faced the difficult task of moving their patriarch into a memory care facility. During the home transition, the daughter, acting as Power of Attorney (POA) from out of state, discovered a collection of firearms stored in the basement. In memory care scenarios, ensuring a home is clear of weapons is a safety priority for both the resident and the family members managing the clean out.

Inventory: From Frontier Heritage to Modern Utility

The collection spanned over a century of firearm history, requiring expert identification to distinguish between "old guns" and high value collectibles:

• The Standout: A Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle, often referred to as "The Gun That Won the West".

• Vintage Shotguns: An Ithaca New Ithaca Double (NID), a Remington Model 10 pump action, and an Iver Johnson Champion single shot.

• Modern Addition: A new in box Ruger 10/22 semi-automatic rifle.

A Wildwood estate firearm collection featuring a vintage Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle

MDRF Solution: Remote POA Assistance

Working with out of state representatives requires a high level of trust and documentation integrity. As an FFL and CAGA certified appraiser, I provided:

1. Immediate Physical Removal: Securing the firearms to prevent unauthorized access during the real estate staging process.

2. USPAP Aligned Valuation: Providing the POA with a clear understanding of the collection’s value for estate accounting.

3. Legal Chain of Custody: Ensuring all transfers were logged according to ATF regulations, permanently removing the liability from the family.

For families in Wildwood and West County navigating the complexities of memory care and probate, MDRF provides a professional, discreet path forward.