Even old documents can help clarify who owned a particular property or provide information needed to locate official records.
Inheritance laws vary depending on the country and family situation, so relevant documents should be reviewed by a lawyer, notary, or other competent professional when necessary.
## 4. Photographs, letters and unique personal items
Not everything of value appears in a bank account.
Old family photographs, handwritten letters, family recipes, diaries, historical documents, and small mementos may seem like common objects in the middle of a house full of belongings.
But there is an important difference: **many of these things are irreplaceable**.
A photograph that seems insignificant today could be the only existing image of a grandfather when he was young. A letter could tell a part of the family history that no one else knows.
Before discarding these items, ask other family members if they wish to keep them.
Even when there is no space to store large amounts of photographs or documents, one alternative is to digitize them before deciding what to keep physically.
## A common mistake: wanting to solve everything too quickly
Grief can influence how we make decisions. Some people want to hold on to absolutely everything, while others feel the need to quickly get rid of anything that reminds them of the loss.
