The Great Stuff Transfer is Coming—What to Do with All the Things Your Parents Leave Behind

Experts estimate that a staggering $90 trillion in wealth will be passed down from the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers to their heirs in the coming years. (Yes, that's trillion with a T.) However, this inheritance isn't cash. It's physical items, ranging from sentimental mementos and furniture to household goods and collections.

This wave of physical inheritance is what organizational expert Dr. Regina Lark calls The Great Stuff Transfer. It can be both emotionally loaded and logistically overwhelming. Our older generations want to know that their belongings will be appreciated. Heirs want to honor their legacy without being buried under boxes of unwanted dishes, figurines, or baseball cards.

So how can you prepare? The Great Stuff Transfer doesn't have to feel like a burden for parents or their kids. With honest conversations and some planning, you can navigate the transition with clarity and kindness. Organizational expert Dr. Regina Lark helps to break it down.

The Emotional Load

We need to realize we're not just transferring wealth, says Lark. "We're transferring volume." These are physical assets that occupy real space. And with them comes significant emotional weight, but not necessarily any monetary value. That's the sticky wicket.

For many older Americans, items like Hummel figurines, baseball cards, records, or wedding dishes represent identity and personal history. For heirs, receiving these objects might feel like an obligation. (Mom loved it, so I need to love it, too.) But just because these things were important to one generation doesn't mean the next generation will assign them any value.

It's not a matter of disrespect. It's about generational values. Many household items are mass-produced and can be purchased and delivered to your home within a day or two. The way we entertain has evolved: Large gatherings aren't about lace tablecloths and cut crystal. Technology has rendered so many things obsolete. Younger adults today might be living in smaller homes and moving more often. They prioritize flexibility and personal meaning over the accumulation of material goods. A lot has changed.

For Parents: Prepare Without Shame or Pressure

For older generations, don't assume that your kids want your possessions. It's always good to have the conversation while you can, while you're in good health and can make decisions. Lark recommends that givers follow these guidelines.

• Start with curiosity, not assumption. Ask your children which items they genuinely want, and be open to their response. The answer might surprise you—and that's okay.
• Preserve memories, not clutter. Photograph special items and write a short caption or story about those items. Use these to create a digital archive. This allows you to hold the memory while letting go of the object.
• Keep what's meaningful. Curate your collections with purpose. Keep the standout items that make you smile or spark special memories. It's okay to let go of items that hold no emotional value. The fact that you spent money on them at one time doesn't ensure value. Some items, unfortunately, have no value (e.g., encyclopedias).
• Downsize while you can participate. Make decisions collaboratively while you're in good health. Doing this before a crisis will reduce stress and make sure your wishes are respected and followed.

For Children: Decide Without Guilt

Receiving the contents of someone's house or life is overwhelming, plain and simple. Setting boundaries is not a form of betrayal.

• You're not rejecting your parents by releasing their belongings. Keeping one item that reminds you of your dad might mean more than keeping a dozen items you'll never use.
• Honor the stories. Declining physical items doesn't mean rejecting love or legacy.
• Set boundaries. Let your parents know what you can realistically keep so there are no surprises later. This prevents resentment, secrecy, and stressful decisions later.

What to Keep and What to Give

Instead of leaving these decisions for later, use your time together to address your physical items now. Gifting meaningful objects and deciding what to give will ease the process later.

• Give it away directly. Wrap your item in pretty paper and a bow if it helps. Write a note about what the item is and why it's important to you, then give it to your intended recipient for future enjoyment. This will help your family understand its importance.
• Use a neutral third party if needed. Professional organizers, estate specialists, or a facilitator can depersonalize decisions and keep conversations productive.
• Donate in a meaningful way. There are so many places that need your household items. Nothing needs to be wasted. Once you've given what you intend to give to your heirs, it's okay to spell out what should be donated. There are donor locations that can use furniture, towels, dishes, and more.

Bridge the Gap and Move Forward

It requires compromise and calm to work through "The Great Stuff Transfer," and it takes time and effort to plan, label, and gift possessions. But the reward for your effort is the thoughtful and intentional rehoming of your possessions. Legacy isn't about the survival of your objects. Rather, it's about values, stories, and memories being carried forward.