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I know I’m going to get a few calls about this article, but hear me out. We talk a lot about managing your estate and strategies for making the most of an inheritance, but what we don’t often talk about is what to do with your “stuff” and the realities that surround that.

When helping people with their estate planning, we obviously cover the big issues, such as IRA or retirement plan beneficiary info, wills, trusts, power of attorney and advance directives (or POLST). We review titling of the assets in your estate with your CPA or attorney. But what we often don’t talk about is what to do with all of your stuff.

The reality is that what you want to happen with your stuff is often not what your heirs want to do with it.

Let’s start with the big one, your house. This is the one people balk at the most, but here goes: Your kids don’t want your house. I know you think they do, but they really don’t. In most cases, even when they do, it would be impractical for them to buy it anyway.

How are three kids going to “share” my house? There’s no way that’s going to work, even though the idea of them sharing a shore house sounds nice. The reality is that they likely can’t share it, and forcing them to do so will almost certainly lead to hard feelings. Somebody is going to get more use of it than the others, and that’s where the problems start.

If one of them wants to buy out the others, that’s fine — but what are the terms in which they can buy it? Do they get a “discount” because they are family? Doesn’t that hurt the others’ value for the same reason?

Vacation homes can be a burden

Sometimes I hear that “I want them to have a place to go to in the summer.” I had a situation not long ago where a client really wanted a grandchild to have the beach house. Carrying the house was actually causing financial issues for her, but she didn’t want to give it up so she could pass it on. The heir lived out of state, but she really wanted them to have it.

Finally, I suggested we call the heir and ask if she wanted the beach house. The heir, as I suspected, loved the idea of a house at the Jersey Shore but didn’t really want it because they wouldn’t have time to ever visit it and the long-distance upkeep, maintenance, etc. would be added stress for them.

With this new information, my client decided to let the house go, live a far more comfortable retirement and leave to her heir what they really wanted, cash.

Collectibles and china

Now for the smaller stuff. While your collection of Hummels, model trains or baseball cards is your hobby and passion, rarely does that continue to your heirs. If they don’t share your passion for those collectibles, they may be likely to sell them for less than their full value when they inherit them because they don’t fully understand their true value.

Lastly, your beautiful china. Understand that there are only so many sets of china that your kids or grandchildren can use. Add to this the fact that younger generations don’t use china much at all compared to older generations, let alone five sets.

To make your estate transfer as easy as possible and with as few family scuffles as possible, address these issues now.

The bottom line and some practical tips

If you aren’t sure how your heirs feel about inheriting your “stuff,” then the easiest course of action is simply to ask them. I think you’ll be surprised with the answer. Then get busy:

Start selling. Sell items that you don’t need anymore that might have some value. Ebay and Etsy are great places to start, or heck, have a garage sale.

Donate things others could use. Goodwill and Salvation Army could do some good with your generosity, and dropping off your donations is like volunteering, which always feels good.

Make it fun. Going through your things bit by bit can be a shared activity with your loved ones. Think about all the conversations and memories you’ll share as you declutter.

Enjoy the results. Your house will feel bigger, and the weight on your shoulders will feel lighter. Your kids will thank you, too.

This article was written by and presents the views of Kiplinger’s contributing adviser, not editorial staff. Check adviser records with the SEC or FINRA.

T. Eric Reich, President of Reich Asset Management, LLC, is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, holds a Certified Investment Management Analyst certification, and holds Chartered Life Underwriter® and Chartered Financial Consultant® designations.