21 Most Common Family Heirlooms

A family heirloom is any treasured item that’s been passed down by a family member who has died. Some are treasures in the most literal sense, valuable antiques that could sell for many thousands of dollars. Others have strictly sentimental value, but the fact that they’re not worth much money doesn’t make them any less beloved. Family heirlooms can be many generations old, passed from parent to child for centuries. Or they can be newer, something inherited from a parent or grandparent that will be passed along in the future. Most important, whatever they may be, family heirlooms conjure memories of the special people who passed them along to us. 

What Does Next of Kin Mean?

In general, next of kin means one's closest living blood relatives. The term has important legal meaning in regard to inheritance rights and medical decisions.

Where to Store Your Will (Like Aretha Franklin Didn't)

Your family can't honor your last wishes if they can't find your will.

How (and Why) to Make a Charitable Bequest

Here's how you can leave a philanthropic legacy to benefit an organization you care about.

What is a Testamentary Trust and Do I Need One?

A testamentary trust is a trust that does not go into effect until the person who created the trust dies. The creator of the trust is called the grantor. Typically, the testamentary trust is written into a will to create a trust for minor children.  The will is in effect after it is created, but the testamentary trust within is not valid until the maker of the will dies.

What Is a Living Will or DNR Order?

A living will is a document you can create that details what lifesaving medical procedures you do or don't want performed on you in the event of your terminal illness or injury. It's used when you are unable to speak your wishes.

Luke Perry Planned Ahead Smartly — Just In Case

We don't have to be rich to protect our families with advance preparation.

How to Pay for a Funeral

The average funeral in the United States costs between $8,000 and $9,000. That’s about one-fifth the average cost of a wedding, and it can be one of the highest expenses a family will face. 

Five Ways to Cover Funeral Costs in Advance

Banks, insurance providers, and funeral homes all offer solutions for pre-planning funeral expenses.

Taking Care of the Last Budget First

Including a funeral in your financial plan can save your family extra stress.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Many years ago, I read a book called “The Hare with Amber Eyes” by Edmund de Waal, about a netsuke collection he inherited. Netsuke is a form of Japanese ceramics noted for their delicacy, small size, and intricate detail. He wrote the book because it was a vehicle to help him answer some questions that intrigued him — he wanted to know who created each of the works, who had touched them over the 100-plus years of life they had so far, and how they had survived war and global travel to reach him.

What’s It Worth?

Here's how to determine if art works you've inherited — or want to bequeath to your loved ones — have value.

The Doubly Sweet Sorrow of Letting Things Go

Advice on letting go of a loved one's artistic creations.