A will one, WWYD?

[Careeria]

I'd like to leave all my jewellery to DD in my will. The value new was probably about £25k.

How do I make things fair for DS? Can I say that he gets cash to whatever the value of the jewellery is when I die? Or should I split the jewellery between them and he can sell his half if he doesn't want it.

Most of the estate goes to DH.

Thank you!

I would split (and specify who gets what). He may end up with a female partner and daughters that he would want to pass them to.

Tricky, because jewellery as well as having a monetary value has sentimental value. I inherited my mums jewellery and irrelevant of the value I’d never sell it, so the equivalent cash isn’t really the same.

Also if you were to do this, need to look at 2nd hand or scrap value as will be a lot less than new

I would specify who gets what and split it evenly. As PP said, DS may have daughters that he could pass jewellery on to.

I’d divide the jewellery on the basis that assuming he’s heterosexual, he will probably have a wife and maybe daughters one day. I knew someone who fell out with her cousins and aunt over their late nanna’s jewellery, so be clear who gets which piece. Maybe ask your daughter (assuming she’s old enough) if there’s anything she particularly likes, and ensure she receives that.

My mum left hers to me, but asked me before she died if I'd consider letting my sister in law have something. I did.

It all gets valued.

The each take it in turn to choose what they would like.

The value of what they choose gets taken into account when the assets are divided.

Agree split it. My MIL only had sons but she left each daughter in law one of her rings and I am thrilled that I will be able to pass it on to my daughter as a memento of her . And all her sons had daughters so I am sure they will all do the same

Honestly she may rather prefer cash and by trying to be fair he will end up better off

jewellery is usually worth very little

I'm in the process of doing this, but I've been advised not to itemise pieces in my will as a PP says, everything gets valued, and takes up so much time, so I'm just writing a letter requesting that my wedding band and a few other pieces that she likes, goes to my DD and if my DSs have granddaughters by then, then they can divide rest between them.
Explained all this to DC - they are all young adults.

How old is your DD? Has she expressed a love for any of the items?

It may seem the natural thing to do, to pass it to DD, but maybe she won't personally want to wear any of it and feel obliged to keep it due to the sentimental aspect. She may resent her brother getting cash.

I'm probably state it should be professionally valued and split as equally as possible between them.

I think it's unfair to only leave to your daughter....my nanny left items to my dad who when he had daughters gave them to me and my sibling

Does she want it?

What is the scrap value?

Does Ds want any of it?

assuming she wants it and ds doesn’t then will him then scrap value in cash.

I’m not sure if it’s all yours or if any come to you eg from your mum and whether you’d pass it down before your death or only after.

your daughter will likely be given an engagement ring (and other jewellery). Your son will likely have to provide an engagement ring (and other jewellery). It may be helpful for him to have pieces from you.

I'm assuming that OP would be around when DS needs an engagement ring and still wearing her jewellery.