May 2026 Newsletter

When Clutter Becomes an Estate Planning Problem 

There is nothing inherently wrong with owning things. We work hard, and buying something new can feel like a reward. But over time, those rewards can start to weigh on us, creating stress, taking up space, and even leaving behind a burden for the people we care about. The question is not just what we own. It is what happens to it later—who is left to sort through it, manage it, and ultimately decide what comes next. Read more to learn that being “stuff-blind” can complicate estate administration.

The Burden That Excess Belongings Place on Loved Ones

After we are gone, our belongings must be handled, and the responsibility often falls to those we leave behind. Read more to discover that conversations about who gets what are best had while your possessions are still yours—not after they have been left in a kind of personal property limbo where uncertainty can give rise to stress, conflict, and resentment.

Practical Estate Planning Strategies When Letting Go Is Hard

Nothing in your home will stay yours forever. Every item—each wall hanging, piece of furniture, book, device, or collected trinket—will one day belong to someone else. You do not need to adopt a minimalist mindset or purge everything of little value. Nor is it about extreme downsizing. Read more to learn that the focus is on “right-sizing”—finding a balance between holding on and letting go so that belongings are thoughtfully managed. The process begins with a simple but important question: How much is too much?

Note from Susana: Computer Stress and Paper Clutter (Continued) 

Tip 6: Deal with your digital photos

My son, who has a side business in wildlife photography, regularly organizes thousands of images. Like many people, we now store memories on our phones—but that can quickly become overwhelming.

Last year, I began digitizing old photo albums—reviewing, selecting the best images, and scanning them. It is an ongoing project. If you have a manageable number of photos, start small: delete duplicates and blurry shots, and create folders such as Family, Travel, or Grandchildren.

You can also make this a family project—reviewing photos together often brings back wonderful memories.

Tip 7: Review old online accounts

We all have accounts we signed up for years ago and no longer use. If you don’t recognize it or don’t need it, close it. Fewer accounts mean fewer passwords—and less risk.

Tip 8: Back up what matters

Make sure your important photos and documents are backed up—either to a secure cloud service or an external hard drive. Technology can fail, but your memories and essential records shouldn’t.

This may feel overwhelming, but taking small steps leads to meaningful progress. None of these tasks needs to be completed in a single day.