"I want to give this particular item to..."

When we think about estate planning, it’s easy to focus on the big things.

The house. The investments. The bank accounts.

But sometimes the things that matter most are much smaller.

Your Grandma’s wedding ring. Your dad’s watch. A collection you’ve spent years building. The artwork hanging in your hallway. The football memorabilia you and your best mate have talked about for years.

These things might not be worth much financially, but they can carry enormous sentimental value.

For me, my Grandma’s wedding ring instantly comes to mind. Grandma died before I was born, but I had a very close and loving relationship with my Grandad. Our eldest is named in his honour.

Having Grandma’s wedding ring gives me a tangible connection to her, and an extra reminder of my Grandad. The ring has little monetary value, but to me, it’s priceless and irreplaceable.

That’s where specific gifts in a Will can be really meaningful.

What is a specific gift in a Will?

A specific gift is an identifiable asset or item that you leave to a particular person under your Will.

For example, you might leave:

• your wedding ring to your daughter;

• your vintage car to your son;

• a piece of artwork to your sister;

• your watch to your grandson;

• a particular collection to a friend;

• your jewellery to a named family member; or

• a specific property to a beneficiary.

Specific gifts can be about financial value, practicality, or simply the sentimental importance of an item.

Why make a specific gift?

Sometimes you already know exactly who you want to receive something.

You might have a daughter who has always loved your wedding dress. Maybe your best mate comes over every Saturday to watch the footy, and you have a collection of sports memorabilia you want them to have.

Perhaps your grandmother's jewellery has been passed through your family for generations, and you want a particular piece to go to a particular person.

A specific gift lets you record that intention in your Will. It can also provide clarity for your executor and your family about who you intended to receive a particular asset.

What can I leave as a specific gift?

There is a wide range of property that can potentially be gifted under a Will. It could include:

• jewellery;

• artwork;

• vehicles;

• furniture;

• collectibles;

• family heirlooms;

• shares;

• real estate; or

• other identifiable assets you own.

The important question is whether the gift can be properly identified and whether you own the relevant property when you die.

Your Will should be drafted carefully so there is as little uncertainty as possible about what you mean. For example, “my jewellery” could mean something very different from “my diamond engagement ring”.

The more important the item is to you, the more important it is to make sure the gift is clearly described.

What happens if I no longer own the item when I die?

This is one of the important things to consider when making a specific gift. Your circumstances can change after you sign your Will.

You might sell the car. Give the jewellery to someone during your lifetime. Replace the watch. Sell the investment property. Lose the item. Or simply decide you no longer want to keep it.

If a specific gift in your Will relates to an asset you no longer own when you die, the gift may not operate as you originally intended. This is one of the reasons it’s important to review your Will when your assets or circumstances change.

You don't want to assume that a gift in your Will will automatically transfer to a replacement asset. If you've sold, replaced, gifted, or otherwise changed an asset that is specifically mentioned in your Will, it's worth getting advice about whether your Will should be updated.

What if the item has been sold?

This is particularly relevant for assets that can change over time.

Imagine your Will says:

“I give my 2026 Toyota LandCruiser to my son.”

Five years later, you sell that vehicle and buy a different car. Your Will hasn't automatically updated itself to refer to the new car.

This is a simple example, but it demonstrates why your Will needs to reflect your current assets and wishes.

Your executor will need to administer your estate based on the Will and the assets you own when you die.

What about sentimental items?

This is where specific gifts can become especially important. When you're planning your estate, it's worth thinking beyond financial value.

Ask yourself:

What would my family fight over?

What has a story attached to it?

What would mean something to a particular person?

Is there something I would hate to see sold or divided up?

You might have:

• your mother's jewellery;

• your grandfather's tools;

• handwritten recipes;

• family photographs;

• sporting memorabilia;

• musical instruments;

• childhood keepsakes;

• a collection you've built over decades; or

• something that has been passed through your family.

The financial value of these things may be relatively small. Their emotional value can be enormous.

Does everything need to go into my Will?

No. You don't need to list every possession you own in your Will. Most people don't need a 20-page inventory of household belongings.

Your Will can deal with specific gifts where there is a good reason to identify an asset or group of assets, with the remainder of your estate dealt with under the residuary provisions of your Will.

Your estate plan should be structured around what matters to you and your family. For some people, that might mean a handful of sentimental gifts. For others, there may be significant assets that need to be dealt with individually.

Think about the practical side, too

Before making a specific gift, think about whether the gift makes practical sense.

For example:

• Do you still expect to own the asset when you die?

• Is the asset clearly identifiable?

• Is there more than one item that could fit the description?

• Does the asset have a mortgage or other liability attached to it?

• Is the asset jointly owned?

• Is there another legal arrangement affecting who receives it?

• Would giving this asset to one person have unintended consequences for the rest of your estate?

These questions can matter when you're deciding how to structure your Will. A specific gift is only one part of your overall estate plan.

What if I want someone to choose an item?

Sometimes you don't know exactly which item you want a person to receive.

You might want your daughter to choose one piece of jewellery. Or you might want your children to divide your personal belongings between themselves.

That is a different planning question from simply leaving a named item to a named person. Your Will and Letter of Wishes can potentially work together to provide appropriate guidance, depending on what you want to achieve.

This is one of those situations where it's worth discussing the practical outcome you want, rather than simply asking for particular wording to be inserted into your Will.

Don't forget the rest of your estate plan

A specific gift is one small part of your Will. Your broader estate plan may also need to consider:

• who receives the rest of your estate;

• who your executor will be;

• who will care for your children if you die;

• whether a testamentary discretionary trust is appropriate;

• how your superannuation fits into your estate plan;

• your life insurance;

• jointly owned assets;

• business interests;

• your Enduring Power of Attorney; and

• your Advance Health Directive.

The right approach depends on your circumstances and what you're trying to achieve.

Your Will can hold the big things and the little things

Estate planning isn't only about dividing up your wealth. Sometimes it's about making sure Grandma's wedding ring goes to the person who will understand why it matters.

It's about your daughter getting the wedding dress. It's about your best mate receiving the piece of memorabilia you watched every game with. It's about the things that tell the story of your life.

If there are particular belongings that matter to you, think about who you'd want to have them after you're gone.

Then make sure your Will deals with those wishes appropriately.

Want more estate planning tips? Check out our Resources for free e-books, guides, and other resources to help you understand your estate plan.