You can leave everything to your spouse or kids but you might have a few things to give to someone else.  

I am concerned that you give them in your Will (because I am all about making Wills), but you can give them right now, if you feel like it, especially if you won't ever be using them.  

People think about (well, correction, women think about) giving particular pieces of jewelry in their Wills. GOOD IDEA. My grandmother left me her engagement ring and the ring is very nice but the idea that she would give that to ME. Oh my! It makes me happy every time I think about it.  

So, go ahead and think of your jewelry and write your Will so you give it out piece by piece to all those whom you love. Think of it as a love note.  

And, you know what, even if your Will says, " I leave my topaz earrings to my niece Sarah," you can give them to her right now, if you would be happy to see them on her ears while you can still do that. You don't even have to change your Will. The law in California is: if your Will leaves a particular thing to a certain person but you do not own that thing when you pass, then at that time the thing is not to be given to that person. Makes sense; the Law does not require the impossible (that, too, is a law).   

Yes, once in awhile the law makes sense and is sensible.

Really.

So far I haven't written that in a Will but I am thinking about this possibility because there was an article in the New York Times about it on Thanksgiving Weekend.  

So, what about giving your frequent flyer miles?  

During life this is pretty easy to do and you might want to give some (a lot???) to that newly wed couple so they can come visit you (or go to Hawaii).  And while you, yourself, are alive and well, you can make that transfer: it is pretty easy to let someone else use your frequent flyer miles.  

But what about giving away those miles in your Will? Apparently most airlines are not enthusiastic about your giving these away after your death, but it can be done. It can be done even after your death, and even if the airlines says it has a policy against doing that.  

In my view, not letting you transfer your miles after you pass is tantamount to taking your property from your heirs or beneficiaries. Only the government can do that for no reason except your death. So, if you are fortunate enough to have these miles, say in your Will who gets them.  

Otherwise, take a trip. The holidays are over and maybe you need a vacation to recover, and surely it is time to go play.

Okay, you get it. I am encouraging you once again to do estate planning.  

Yes, YOU, and Yes, estate planning.  

Give me a call and we can discuss it. I'll give you my wisdom and my time (up to half an hour), and it won't cost you anything. Now that's a gift.