Pub. 15 2018 Issue 3

14 O V E R A C E N T U R Y : B U I L D I N G B E T T E R B A N K S - H E L P I N G N E W M E X I C O R E A L I Z E D R E A M S By Mary Ann Cuneo, JD and John Attwood, NCG, Zia Trust, Inc. E ver thought about what hap - pens to your vintage baseball card collection, your Beanie Babies, porcelain dolls, old train sets, and your action figures like GI Joe, still in the box, when you die? You may possibly own something of greater value like southwestern art, Native American pottery, rugs, kachina dolls, or vintage turquoise jewelry. You might even be the proud owner (for those Better Call Saul fans) of an Alpine Shepherd Boy Hummel figurine. Tchotchkes or Knickknacks? “Stuff. ..is what you do to a duffle bag,” my dad used to say. Whether you call it your stuff, tchotchkes, or knick - knacks, you will want to address the disposition of your tangible personal property or personal effects as part of your comprehensive estate plan. “Stuff” Can Trigger Litigation What is often overlooked as part of your estate plan can end up leading to divisive and bitter controversy among your heirs and family? The handling of tangible personal property in an estate settlement can trigger unexpected and costly litigation. For some reason, our children, aunts, uncles and cousins seem to get into disagreements over who gets mom’s What Happens to All My Stuff When I die?