Inheriting luxury items from a loved one can be a touchy subject for those who have been left behind. It is not an uncommon situation to find yourself in as many people own expensive jewelry, cars, homes, etc. In some cases, it can even lead to familial tension that can be diffused by understanding the law.

The laws pertaining to inheriting luxury items vary depending on location, but overall, there are few restrictions when it comes to who is entitled to receive these types of belongings after death. If you are the named beneficiary on the account, you are the rightful owner of that item, no matter who is listed as the primary contact for the account.

Thus, if there is an item you are hoping to inherit, make sure the beneficiary list reflects your wishes after death. If there is any doubt about who will receive what items, it is wise to create an heir agreement. This type of contract typically involves two or more beneficiaries that share the responsibility of distributing luxury items after death.

Here’s a handy guide on how to inherit luxury items after someone’s death

Death of a loved one

No matter how much you plan, death can come suddenly. It is not uncommon for someone to think they have everything in order only to find themselves at the wake without the necessary paperwork or account.

When someone dies, and there’s a lack of preparation in getting one’s assets sorted, it is not uncommon for the surviving relatives to argue over who gets what. This is a major reason why death in a family can cause endless chaos.

Inheriting luxury items

One of the most frequently asked questions out there is about inheriting luxury items.

After death, there are a few options for what happens to luxury items. If the item is an heirloom in your family’s lineage, it will generally go to the next eldest in the family unless otherwise specified.

When it comes to inheriting something like property, you have to be careful. If there wasn’t a legal inheritor to the property, it might go to the bank or government.

Alternatively, If you are the named beneficiary on an account, then you are the rightful owner of an item. This helps clear any confusion as to who is supposed to own what.

Additionally, if there is any doubt about who will receive what items, it is wise to refer back to any legal agreement, like a will, that was made before the individual’s death.

Legal aspects of inheriting luxury items

Trying to find a universal law is tricky, as the laws regarding inheriting items vary depending on location. Generally, though, you’ll have to show proof the individual is dead through something like a death certificate.

As far as the law is concerned, anything you own before death – like your house, your car, and luxury items – passes to someone else after you die. That’s one of the reasons it’s important to get good legal advice about your estate before you die. If there are problems with who ends up with what in an estate, there are ways to deal with that after death, but it’s much better if you have the opportunity to do this while you’re alive.

That said, an individual doesn’t need to do much legally when it comes to inheriting luxury items. Outside of writing your standard will or a trust, it’s all up to the individual who died to decide who ends up what.

Sometimes people will sell all of their luxury items in an estate sale. That means that if you really want something like an antique tea set, but you and your siblings can’t agree who should get it, you can sell that tea set, and everyone gets a share of the money.

If someone behaves inappropriately and has no legal right to any items, you don’t have to acknowledge their requests. If the deceased decided not to leave anything to them, that was their choice. It could be complicated if nothing were written, though. You may have to get legal consultation in those situations if it’s a really expensive item like a yacht.

Dealing with death is tough, and it’s not easy if you’re trying to inherit a luxury item. Of course, things are easier to deal with if there was a will or other legal document placed in place prior.

If there are problems within your family regarding who should get what, after death is the worst time for them to come up. That’s why it’s much better to have everything resolved while the recently deceased is alive.