Can you include personal mementos in your estate plan?

As you begin to work on your estate plan in New York, you may have many questions. This includes learning about what can be included in your plan and how to legally express who gets what when you die. One thing you may wonder about specifically is if you can include items that have no monetary value or little monetary value but that are sentimental in your plan.

According to the New York Times, you can and should include the little items along with your pricey assets in your estate plan . Anything that your heirs may argue over should be included in your plan to ensure your wishes are followed. For example, if you have an old painting of an ancestor that is not worth much money but that has been handed down from generation to generation that you want to ensure stays in the family, you can appoint who gets it in your plan. This ensures that is it clear who you want to have the painting.

You should consider doing this if you have specific items that you fear your loved ones may argue over. This is something that happens a lot and can lead to riffs in the family. Simply telling someone who should get what often does not work out. By placing your wishes in a legal document, you can ensure that your sentimental items are properly distributed when you pass away. It will also help give you peace of mind that items will go to the right people. This information is for education and is not legal advice.