When it’s time to decide what to include in your will, you might be surprised which items cause more stress than remembrance. You want to leave your loved ones with the easiest path to mourn your loss without sparking arguments or unwanted tension.
Get rid of unnecessary clutter to help ease your children’s burden of losing their parents. Let them remember your legacy, instead of dealing with the following mistakes parents make while creating their wills.
1. Family Heirlooms
You might think a will is the perfect resource for dividing up your family heirlooms. The truth is that giving certain pieces to specific people can start fights and create resentment among siblings.
If there’s no set agreement among the siblings, selling off heirlooms and adding the profits to the total estate might be more practical. It may be the only way to ensure fairness and equality.
2. Old Photos
It might sound nice to pass down your old photos. Still, you must realize that technology has changed, and more people are digitizing their old photos. Many services can turn your giant family photo collection into a digital library.
These photos will now be organized and can be shared with the entire family. You can print them out, add notes, and tag people in the photos.
3. Old Magazines
If you have an extensive collection of magazines that aren’t worth anything, it might be time to throw them out. This generation will not want to rummage through your dust-covered National Geographic or Cosmopolitan collection.
Some old magazines can be worth a fortune. If that’s the case, get them appraised, sell them, and add the money to the estate to avoid arguments when it comes time to divide the assets.
4. Old Clothes
Unless there’s something beyond special, there’s no need to leave your closet full of clothes to your kids. Digging through your old clothes can be tiring and lead to uncomfortable decisions on what to keep and what to throw away. A special item is something like a wedding dress, military uniform, or other belongings with a unique meaning.
Donate old clothing to charities or sell it at a garage sale.
5. Linens
If no one wants your old clothing, they’ll definitely not want your old bedding, tablecloths, or curtains. Odds are, the items are old, out of style, or simply not wanted.
Pack them with your old clothes and send them to the local Goodwill. Your kids will do the same thing anyway.
6. Fine China
While people used to collect and display fine china, nowadays, fewer and fewer people buy or keep fine china.
Passing down your 50-year-old china can be a burden for someone who doesn’t have the space or need for delicate dinnerware. Plus, it might make your kids feel guilty about selling or giving it away.
7. Living Room Piano
Having a piano was common in a 1950s home. My grandma had one, and it sat untouched for 40 years, except for the grandkids who wanted to make a loud noise. Unless you have a family of musicians, the piano will be old, out of tune, and falling apart. You’re better off getting rid of it.
Old pianos can cost a fortune to rebuild or refurbish. They’re also a pain to transport, so while it might seem nice to leave one in your will, it might be better to just donate it.
8. VHS Tapes
Have you kept a collection of VHS tapes over the years? It’s time to part ways with those outdated pieces of technology. Every movie is streaming, and finding a working VHS player might be impossible.
If you keep VHS tapes of home movies, you can get them digitized through a converter. This will help make them more shareable and easy to manage.
9. Unwanted Gifts
Have you been storing away unwanted birthday and Christmas gifts from your family in the back closet? Go ahead and get rid of them. The last thing you want is for a family member to come across a thoughtful gift that you never liked.
Can you imagine finding years’ worth of presents you gave your parents sitting unopened? I would feel horrible. That’s why you should pass those unwanted gifts off to your friends or sell them before it’s too late.
10. Encyclopedias
Gone are the days of collecting encyclopedias. These hefty books used to be a mainstay in our household for school projects and looking up facts, but Google and the internet have replaced the need for encyclopedias these days.
That being said, you can donate them to a local library or just throw them out. While they might have been expensive in the past, they are generally useless today.
11. Debt
Losing your parents can be one of the hardest things a person may experience in their lifetime. Leaving your children with a mountain of debt will only add to the struggle.
If you have large debts, it might be time to consider eliminating them to help your kids when you pass. You want to leave your heirs in the best financial situation possible when the time comes.
12. A Garage Full of Stuff
When my last remaining grandma passed, it took forever to clean out her garage. She had collected a massive amount of junk over the years, and most of what was in the garage hadn’t been touched in 25 years.
Instead of leaving that burden on your kids, set aside some time every year to start cleaning out your unwanted items. This will take a lot off your kids’ shoulders when they have to sort through your personal belongings.
13. Paperwork Mess
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is hard enough, but leaving them with messy paperwork and unfinished documents can make the situation even harder.
Keep your records organized and in one location. That will help your kids and lawyers deal with the aftermath of your passing. If you need help with the documents, there are professionals who can help you get everything you need in one convenient place.
14. Dirty, Broken Down Home
If you plan on leaving your kids your home, you want to give them a home in excellent condition. Whether they plan on living in it or selling it, a clean, well-maintained home easily transitions from one party to another.
Little problems can lead to bigger issues, so keeping current on household maintenance is essential. Check your foundation, roof, water heaters, and plumbing yearly to ensure your home is in tip-top shape so your kids can carry on its legacy.
15. Money
This can be viewed in two ways. Many parents want to leave their children with money to help them get ahead financially after they pass. Lately, more people are giving their money away to their kids before they pass so they can see them succeeding with the help of their money.
Wouldn’t you like to see them buy their first home, build a pool, or pay off debts with your hard work?
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