Tips on Preventing Fights Over Sentimental Items

Oftentimes, family members fight over a piece of deceased loved one’s personal property that has little financial but high sentimental value.

One family of three siblings fought over a glass bowl that their grandmother had received for free with a pudding purchase. The mother of the siblings ended up taking the bowl and has considered burying it to prevent future disputes after her death. Some tips on preventing these battles over purely sentimental items are below:

1. Consider giving away property as you downsize to individuals who have particular attachments to the items.
2. Instruct the executor of the estate to sell the one or two valuable possessions (e.g. grandmother’s diamond engagement ring) and divide the proceeds among the heirs.
3. For specific sentimental items you want to go to specific individuals, make sure your estate plans clearly express who will receive what item.
4. Have the younger generation write their names on the bottom of items prior to the older generations’ death.

See Deborah L. Jacobs, Little Things Can Cause Big Fights When a Relative Dies, Forbes, Oct. 24, 2011.