Surprising Things That Are Part of Your Estate
- Travis Gasper
- Jul 7
- 2 min read
When most people hear the word estate, they picture a sprawling mansion with marble floors and a private vineyard. But in the legal world, your “estate” simply means everything you own when you pass away, and that includes a lot more than you might expect.
Whether you’re just starting to think about a will or already have a plan in place, it’s worth understanding what actually counts as part of your estate. Here are five things that often surprise people:
1. Digital Assets
Your estate includes your digital life like email accounts, cloud storage, social media profiles, and crypto wallets. Without a plan in place, your family may be locked out of important accounts.
Tip: Make a list of your digital assets and login info. Consider naming a “digital executor” in your estate plan.
2. Airline Miles and Hotel Points
Some rewards programs allow you to transfer unused points or miles after death — but only if you plan ahead. Others expire automatically.
Tip: Contact your rewards programs and ask about their death policies. You may be able to assign points in your will.
3. Sentimental and “Low Value” Items
That photo album, handwritten recipe book, or grandma’s wedding ring might not be worth much to the IRS, but they could be emotionally priceless to your loved ones. These items are part of your estate too, and they’re often the things families fight about most.
Tip: Use a tangible personal property memo or include clear instructions in your will.
The Bottom Line
It’s not just the obvious stuff. A good estate plan goes beyond your house and bank account - it covers the things you might not even be thinking about, but would matter deeply if something happened. The details that are easy to overlook are often the ones that create the most confusion, conflict, or regret for your family later.
We Can Help
Start by booking your Peace of Mind Planning Session today and take the first step toward protecting what matters most. We’ll meet in person or on Zoom, answer your questions, and walk you through our simple, flat-fee process.
Mention this blog and we’ll waive the $450 session fee!