By Jason Palmisano
The disposition of a decedent’s tangible personal property has the potential to cause more animosity among the beneficiaries of an estate than the disposition of any other type of asset. Sibling rivalry, unresolved conflict, children from different marriages, step-parents, and in-laws can be a recipe for disaster when two (or more) beneficiaries want the same item of tangible personal property. Hurt feelings are compounded because of emotional attachments to a particular item and the grieving of a loved one’s death. The following are some practical steps to help minimize the risk of family disputes over tangible personal property: