A Guide to Passing on Personal Possessions Brochure

It’s an issue for everyone!

• Owners of personal property
• Family members and personal representatives (estate executors)
  • Spouses
  • Adult children
  • Siblings
  • Grandchildren
• Professionals including:
  • Estate planning and probate attorneys
  • Faith Community Professionals
  • Funeral home directors
  • Senior housing and nursing home administrators
  • Estate sale and auction administrators

Whether planning ahead or making decisions when someone dies, this workbook will help you and your family members:

• Recognize sensitivity of issue
• Determine what you want to accomplish
• Decide what’s “fair” for your family
• Understand belongings have different meanings to different individuals
• Consider distribution options and consequences
• Agree to manage conflicts if they arise

You never really know someone until you share an inheritance with them.”

“In one family, grandma’s wedding ring was passed on to her son, then to his son. When that young man’s fiancee walked into a roomful of his relatives, his aunt stared at her ring finger and exclaimed, “How did YOU get mom’s ring?”

Both of my parents died recently. My sister, brother and I have been going through the house and making decisions about who gets what. It’s gone pretty smoothly. There is one item though that all three of us would like to have—the Winnie the Pooh book that Mom read to each of us when we were young. How can we possibly decide what’s fair?

My dad is getting remarried. His wife-to-be is insisting that most of his possessions be sold. There are three of us kids and we don’t want to lose the memories and family history that go with the property. How can she not know that Dad’s property is worth more than money to his family?

What People Say About “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?™

“I found this information extremely helpful because in July we were faced with disposing/dividing up my mother-in-law’s possessions.”

“As executor for my mother’s estate, I needed help. I never expected my sisters to act the way they did! This information helped us sort out what we wanted, talk about what we thought was fair, and consider different options. It wasn’t easy, but we are still talking.”

I found this information very helpful. I made copies of the request form for members of my family and have been using their input to decide how to dispose of my things.”

Available Educational Resources

Workbook. Newly revised in 1999. Worksheets and tools help address six critical decision making factors. $12.50 (95 pages). Item MI-06686

Video. Thirteen minute introduction to issues and six critical factors. $30 to purchase. Item 06692 (VHS cassette) or 08406 (DVD).

Educators Package. Use to teach workshops, train consumers or professionals. The 3–ring binder includes the workbook, 13-minute video, a disk of color PowerPoint overheads, training outlines, review of research. $125. Item 08407 (with DVD).

To order contact: University of Minnesota Extension Service Extension Store. Toll-free: 1-800-876-8636 Fax: 612-625-6281 Email: shopext@umn.edu

For training or information contact:
Marlene Stum, Associate Professor
University of Minnesota
290 McNeal Hall
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 612-625-4270
E-mail: mstum@che2.che.umn.edu

Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact your University of Minnesota Extension office or the Extension Store at (800) 876-8636.

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