How does a person prevent family from going through their belongings after said person dies?
Preventing a family member from going through the belongings of a dead person
The idea of someone going through your things after you're gone is pretty uncomfortable, and it's probably something that we all think about at some point—whether we're young or old. What would my family do with my stuff? What are they going to think about the weird things I like? Will they throw everything away?
Planning how to handle
In a situation where you know for certain that someone is going to go through your belongings after you die, it's important to have a plan for how to handle this.
Making arrangements
One of the easiest ways to prevent people from going through your stuff is to make sure no one will be around when you pass away. One way to do this is by making arrangements in advance for hospice care that takes place in a nursing home or assisted living facility. This way, there will be a staff that can handle your final arrangements, and they can make sure all of your wishes are carried out without family members' involvement.
Including a clause in your will
Another way to avoid the situation altogether is by making plans to be cremated, which will also cut down on any opportunities for people in your family to go through your belongings after you die. Another way to protect yourself against this issue is by including a clause in your will that states that upon your death, specific items should go where you wanted.
After a person’s death
After someone dies, the surviving family members are faced with the difficult task of sorting through their loved one's belongings. Many things will be deemed worthy of keeping, others will be kept for a little while and then donated to charities, and still, others will be thrown out or recycled.
A common problem
But what happens when a family member has an issue with another family member going through their belongings after they die? This is a fairly common problem, so there are some things you can do if you're in that position. If you're the one who's been left behind and you feel that your belongings are being mistreated, first try talking to the other person about your feelings.
Consulting your lawyer
You might be able to have an open conversation that leads to compromise—if so, great! But if not, you might have to talk to someone else like a mediator or a lawyer. Also, if your situation is extreme enough (i.e., abusive or hostile) it could lead to legal action after your loved one has passed away.
If you have questions, you can get a free consultation with the Best Probate Lawyers.
Parklin Law - Probate Lawyer
5772 W 8030 S, # N206
West Jordan UT 84081
(801) 618-0699
