It wasn’t about the house. It wasn’t about the bank accounts. It wasn’t about the life insurance. It was about a lasagna recipe.

I’m not joking. In a probate case I followed closely years ago, two siblings spent over $100,000 in legal fees each fighting over their late grandmother’s hand-written lasagna recipe — and the rights to use it in a food business.

The kicker? Their mother had passed away without ever clarifying who should get the family heirlooms, traditions, or what would happen to her mother’s belongings.

The estate itself was worth about $2 million. But all it took was one handwritten note, one missing clause in the Will, and a lifetime of unresolved tension — and everything unraveled.

The Things That Matter Most Aren’t Always in a Bank Account

If you think estate planning is just about money, think again. Some of the worst fights I’ve seen didn’t come from inheritances.

They came from:

  • Grandma’s wedding ring
  • A rifle passed down from grandfather
  • The Thanksgiving china
  • A military flag
  • A book of family recipes
  • A stained but beloved recliner
  • A painting that “was always supposed to be mine”

To you, these items may seem small. But to the people left behind, they carry meaning. Memories. Emotion. And where there’s emotion, there’s potential for conflict.

Here’s What Happens Without a Plan:

Your kids or loved ones are left to divide things based on:

  • What they think you wanted
  • What they remember you said
  • What they feel they deserve
  • And in some cases… what they can grab first

I’ve seen it all. I’ve seen one sibling change the locks the night after the funeral. I’ve seen another hide family photo albums in the trunk of their car. I’ve seen families never speak again because someone took “Dad’s watch.”

The saddest part? Most of these fights could have been avoided with just a little planning and communication.

It’s Not About Controlling From the Grave. It’s About Caring While You’re Alive.

At Bascom Law, we don’t just protect money. We protect peace. We protect memories. We protect relationships.

That means helping you:

  • Identify sentimental items and assign them clearly in your plan
  • Write “personal property memorandums” that carry legal weight
  • Use Estate Plans to keep everything private and out of court
  • Set expectations before there’s a crisis
  • Create a roadmap your family can follow with confidence

Because if you don’t decide who gets what, the state will.
Or worse — your kids will. And they’ll have to do it while grieving.

That’s not a legacy. That’s a landmine.

A Few Questions to Ask Yourself Today:

  • Are there personal items that might mean more to your family than your money?
  • Have you ever promised something to a child or grandchild… but never written it down?
  • Do you know how your family would divide your sentimental possessions if you passed unexpectedly?
  • Have you asked your loved ones what matters most to them — and why?

If those questions make you pause, you’re not alone. These are the real estate planning conversations most people skip — and most lawyers never raise. But they’re some of the most important ones you’ll ever have.

What Will Your Family Fight Over When You’re Gone?

If you don’t know… they probably don’t either. And that’s where trouble starts. Call my office today. Let’s talk through the legal, the financial — and yes, the sentimental — parts of your estate. We’ll create a plan that protects everything you care about, including your lasagna recipe.

Sincerely and Thanks,

Mike

Mike Bascom
Bascom Law, PC
770-285-5493