"You Never really know a person until you share an inheritance with them!" I think most folks that I talk to will agree to this statement Who gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate? Helps participants to determine who gets what non-titled property. Everyone has property to transfer. Non-titled property is when the owner is not identified with a written document. The first most important item is to sort out your goals. Goals need to be identified to determine what you and other co-owners want to happen. Is your goal to, maintain privacy, improve family relationships, be fair to all involved, preserve memories or maybe contribute to society? Then your list of goals can help guide your decisions through the rest of the personal property transfer process.

While Grandma's yellow pie plate or Dad's hat collection are simply material possessions, memories, emotions, and feeling can be triggered by or attached to such personal belongings. It is important to recognize the sentimental value person property may have for some individuals - both current owners and potential receivers. It's also critical to recognize that for other such items may not carry much meaning and indeed may be just "stuff." Decisions about personal property involve value attached to personal belongings that makes talking about transfers challenging.

Families need to consider distribution options and consequences. They must also agree to manage conflicts if they arise. Perceptions determine what's considered to be fair. Fair... is not always equal. Equal may mean an equal number of items, equal dollar value or equal in emotional value.

When decisions are made prior to death: the owner decides who receives the property, then special memories and stories may be shared. When decisions are made after a death/crisis: the decisions may not accurately reflect the owner's wishes, and may cause problems and misunderstandings among heirs.

Options for distribution might include: lists, will, gifts, verbal promises (need to be written down), masking tape/labeling items, private auctions, garage/yard sale, estate items, family distribution, throwing away or pilfering items. Decisions about the transfer of non-titled property may be addressed in a separate writing identifying bequest of tangible property.

Remember: more transfer options are available when transfers are planned prior to death. Transferring person property can be a time to celebrate a person's life - share memories and stories and a way to continue traditions and family history.