The short answer: A personal property memorandum is a short, signed list — separate from your will — where you name who gets specific personal items: jewelry, the good china, Dad’s watch, family photographs. Most U.S. states let you write and update one without a lawyer or witnesses, as long as your will references it by name. It’s the simplest tool for preventing exactly the fight that starts with “but she always said I’d get that.”
A personal property memorandum is a written, dated list of tangible items and the person each one goes to. It doesn’t cover money, real estate, or business interests — only physical things. It sits next to your will, not inside it, which means you can add, remove, or change entries whenever your things or your family change, without touching the will itself.
Why does the china cause more fights than the house?
Sentimental items divide families more often than money does because they aren’t really about the item — they’re about who Mom trusted, who she was close to, who “deserves” it. A house has a price and a straightforward sale. A set of china that sat on the table every Sunday for forty years doesn’t have a market value that settles the argument. Wills routinely name who gets the house and the savings account and stay completely silent on who gets the china cabinet, the wedding ring, or the box of old photographs — and that silence is where siblings start filling in the blanks themselves.
What is a personal property memorandum, exactly?
A personal property memorandum is a signed, dated document, kept apart from your will, that lists specific personal items and the person who should receive each one. A typical entry looks like “the blue sapphire ring — to Anna” or “Dad’s toolbox — to Marcus.” It can list as many or as few items as you want, and it works alongside a last will and testament rather than replacing it — the will still handles money, real estate, and everything the memorandum doesn’t mention.
How do you make a personal property memorandum legally valid?
In the United States, a personal property memorandum is legally valid in most states under Uniform Probate Code Section 2-513, which allows a will to “incorporate by reference” a separate list for tangible personal property. Three things make it enforceable: your will must state that such a memorandum exists, you must sign it yourself, and each item and recipient must be described clearly enough that your executor isn’t left guessing. Not every state has adopted this rule, so check your state’s law, or ask a local estate attorney, before relying on one — the same caution applies if you’re comparing document formats, since an e-will and a traditional last will can carry different rules about what they’re allowed to reference.
What belongs in a personal property memorandum — and what doesn’t?
Jewelry, china, furniture, art, tools, collections, and family photographs belong in a personal property memorandum. Cash, bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, and business interests don’t — those need to be handled directly in the will or through a named beneficiary designation. Keep descriptions specific: “the china” is fine if you own one set; “my jewelry” invites the same argument you’re trying to avoid if you own twelve pieces and three daughters.
Can you change a personal property memorandum without redoing your will?
Yes. In every state that recognizes it, you can add, remove, or rewrite entries on a personal property memorandum at any time, without new witnesses and without re-signing your will. Sign and date the updated version, keep the old one out of circulation, and it’s done — often in minutes, not the weeks a formal will amendment can take. That flexibility is the practical reason to use one: your niece gets engaged, your uncle passes down a watch, your will doesn’t need to know about either.
What happens if you don’t leave one?
Without a personal property memorandum, personal items fall under your will’s general instructions — often a single line splitting “the remainder of my personal property” among your children equally — and your executor is left deciding, item by item, what “equally” means for a ring, a piano, and a box of letters. That’s an unfair position to leave anyone in, and it’s usually where the resentment starts. A short memorandum removes the guesswork; pairing it with clear notes for your executor removes the rest — see how you can help your executor before you die for what else belongs in that handoff.
Frequently asked questions
Is a personal property memorandum legally binding?
Yes, in states that follow Uniform Probate Code Section 2-513, as long as your will references it, you’ve signed it, and the items and recipients are described clearly. Not every state recognizes this type of document, so confirm your state’s rule, or ask a local estate attorney, before relying on one.
Does a personal property memorandum need witnesses?
In most states that allow it, no — unlike the will itself, a personal property memorandum typically only needs your signature and a date, not witnesses or notarization. Requirements vary by state, so verify yours before treating the document as final.
Can a personal property memorandum include money or a house?
No. It only covers tangible personal items like furniture, jewelry, china, and collectibles. Cash, bank accounts, real estate, and business interests have to be handled directly in the will or through a beneficiary designation.
How often should you update a personal property memorandum?
Update it whenever an item or a relationship changes — a new grandchild, an item you no longer own, a piece you want to leave to someone specific. Since it doesn’t require redoing the will, there’s no reason to let it fall out of date.
Myend keeps your will and your personal property memorandum together in one place, so the list your executor needs isn’t a loose sheet of paper someone has to find.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Estate laws vary by state and country — consult a licensed estate attorney in your jurisdiction before signing or relying on a personal property memorandum.
Last reviewed: July 2026
