They simply may not want all of those personal items you've accumulated over the years: household goods, furniture, clothes, decorations, collectibles, and all that stuff piled up in boxes in your garage or attic. Do your children really want to be sifting through that after you're gone?
(They do want your
cash, and whether or not you may wish to give them a large amount of it was the topic I discussed in a recent article.)
Perhaps you're retired, or thinking about retirement. Now might be a good time to downsize. Clean out the closets and basements. Get rid of some clutter, things you haven't used in a while and probably won't use anytime soon. Have a yard sale or post it on Craigslist and make a few bucks. Donate items to charity, recycle, or just toss them out. Rent a roll-away dumpster if you have a lot of unsalable items to clear out.
The Swedes have made this practically an art form, and of course, there's a book on the subject.
Every generation has its style conventions, and your kids' generation has its own, too. They may not have the same appreciation for the things you enjoy, and if they inherited them, might not have space for them. Younger people are less apt to purchase real estate than members of previous generations. (Who can afford to buy a house now, anyway?) Many more people are renting, and they may not need or want a lot of your items after you are gone.
This is not to say everything needs to be given the heave-ho. There may be certain items your kids will appreciate receiving. Earmark some keepsakes: perhaps family heirlooms, mementos from your military service, a hand-made piece of furniture, artwork, or a family photo album. Talk to your children about what's important to them. Discuss with each of them what they might like to receive when you're gone, the family items they would treasure and perhaps pass on to their children some day.
You can give specific personal items to family members by means of a written list incorporated into your Will.
Talking to a qualified attorney is the first step to creating an estate plan that reflects your wishes.