Some of the things that land in your lap after a relative passes feel more like chores than treasures. Rather than old watches or houses, people get stuff that’s costly & complicated. Sometimes, it’s just plain inconvenient. Here are twelve things our readers said they inherited that caused more stress than joy. Which one do you think is the hardest to handle?
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock.
NFA firearms needing paperwork and secure transfer
You can’t simply hand down guns covered by the National Firearms Act, as they must go through ATF paperwork. Getting your fingerprints done and completing forms drags the process out even further. And let’s not forget about storing them safely in the meantime, since accidental possession without the right documents may bring serious legal trouble.
Taxidermy mounts with permit limits
Sure, large mounted animals look impressive on a wall. But they bring a lot of work as an inheritance because federal & state laws restrict what can be sold, especially if endangered species or ivory are involved. Climate-controlled storage also isn’t cheap. After all that, resale values are often disappointing, meaning heirs are stuck with bulky & fragile décor.
Landlocked parcels without legal access
A family property may turn out to be completely landlocked without any legal right-of-way to reach it. As such, you can’t use it until you negotiate an easement with a neighbor and that means attorneys & surveyors. But property taxes don’t stop in the meantime.
Classic cars missing a title
An old car might look like a prize. Yet without a title, it creates endless problems, since most states require a bonded title or inspections before reissuing paperwork, which is a process that drags on. You’ll need to pay for storage while that’s happening, along with insurance. Unfortunately, buyers discount quite a bit without a clean title, so even selling is difficult.
Boats with expired papers and marina liens
Most boats sit unused for years, and that means expired registration & maybe even thousands in unpaid slip fees. Ouch. Worse still, marinas may refuse to release them until you’ve cleared the liens, while moving one without a trailer is a project by itself. You’re inheriting a boat, yes, but also the bills and paperwork, which is hardly something that any heirs want to deal with.
Long-lived pets that outlast owners
Pets like parrots and tortoises can outlast owners by decades. Heirs inherit feeding routines & noise, alongside specialized vet bills and perhaps permits or microchips. Then, you have travel cages, heaters, & large enclosures to worry about, while rehoming across state lines needs paperwork. Daily care doesn’t pause for grief.
Homes with reverse mortgages to settle
Unfortunately, reverse mortgages don’t just go away. Lenders want their balance back, usually within months, meaning that heirs receive deadlines for either paying up or selling. And when the heat’s been shut off, inspectors may flag damage, which delays everything and takes more energy than expected.
Upright pianos that cost a fortune to move
A piano in the living room sure does look impressive, until you’re the one inheriting it. Movers charge hundreds, even when there are no stairs, while the tuning bill comes right after. Plus, old uprights usually need extra repairs. Selling one is harder than you’d think since most buyers don’t want the hassle, and most charities say no.
Fine china and crystal sets nobody uses
There’s no denying that sets of china look glamorous. But try dealing with them. You’ll have entire cabinets swallowed by fragile plates & cups that rarely leave the box, with some crystal pieces possibly even containing lead. That makes them impractical for everyday use.
Heirloom jewelry with no appraisals
You can’t divide jewelry fairly without paperwork. Then, you may find out that some stones are lab-grown, while unmarked gold has to be tested before anyone knows its value. As for the missing receipts? They’re a recipe for an argument, so what looks like an easy inheritance quickly becomes multiple trips & unexpected bills.
Large aquariums and fish collections
Fish tanks weigh hundreds of pounds and often need special stands, while driving & moving one safely is hardly a walk in the park. Rehoming fish isn’t simple either because stores have limited space & quarantine rules. You also have the cost of filters and lights to worry about, so let’s just hope nothing cracks.
Workshops full of tools and lumber
Table saws & jointers, drill presses & dust collectors are heavy. They’re also wired for 220V and not cheap to move. Estate buyers cherry-pick, leaving piles of clamps & hardware for heirs to deal with, while sheet goods require a truck and extra hands. Without training, safety is a big issue. Clearing a shop takes time and cash.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
