What Will They Find in Your Top Drawer?

Let’s be honest: most of us have a top drawer. Not just in the literal sense (though that’s where we’re heading), but in the metaphorical sense too—a little space where we stash the bits and pieces of our lives that are just for us.

Think: old love letters, a journal baring your heart and soul, photos you’ve never shown anyone, the random charger that belongs to a phone from 2012… and yes, maybe even some adult only items.

These are the things that don’t usually make it into your Will. They’re not really assets in the traditional sense, they don’t require a valuation, and no one’s rushing to their lawyer to sort out who gets the polaroids from your backpacking trip through Europe.

But when we pass away, someone will open that drawer.

So, let’s talk about it.

Death, Dignity, and Your Underwear Drawer

While we put a lot of focus on the big pieces—property, super, guardianship of children—what’s often forgotten is the intimate side of our legacy. The handwritten letters, the old diaries, the sneaky birthday cards you bought but never gave, the items that reflect a quieter, deeply personal version of ourselves.

These things can offer comfort and connection—but they can also be confusing, confronting, or downright awkward for the people we leave behind if not handled with a little forethought.

Estate planning isn’t just about who gets what. It’s about protecting the people we love—from legal messes and emotional landmines.

So, What Can You Do?

Here’s how to plan for the top drawer—literal and otherwise.

Decide what you’d actually want found.

Take a moment to sort through your personal items. Ask yourself: Would I be okay with my partner, kids, or parents seeing this?

If the answer is a firm “nope”, then maybe don’t leave it floating in the top drawer.

Gather anything particularly private and store it in a more intentional way—whether that’s a box, bag, or whatever works for you. Then write a note with instructions and make sure someone you trust knows where it is and what to do (more on that below).

Write a private letter of wishes.

This isn’t legally binding, but it can give your executors or loved ones a guide. You can include things like:

– What to do with your journals

– Who you’d trust to go through your personal belongings

– Whether there are things you’d like quietly binned before anyone else has a peek

How detailed this letter is will depend on what you’re leaving and who’s handling it. Think about what kind of guidance that person might need to respectfully carry out your wishes.

Nominate a “clean-up” person.

Choose someone with a gentle touch (and preferably a good sense of humour) to take care of your personal items. This person doesn’t have to be your executor (the person nominated in your Will to handle your deceased estate)—it could be a friend or sibling who knows you well and can handle the sensitive stuff gracefully.

Importantly, talk to them ahead of time. Let them know you’ve written down your wishes, where to find them, and what kind of things they might be dealing with. It’s no good if they don’t know what they’re looking for or what they’ve been tasked with.

Consider digital drawers too.

Not everything lives in a bedside table. Think emails, private messages, photo vaults, and cloud storage. If there are things you don’t want shared after you’re gone, have a plan in place—and make sure someone knows how to access (or delete) them when the time comes.

Legacy Isn’t Just Legal

We love helping clients plan for the big things—but we also know that life is deeply personal, occasionally messy, and not always PG-rated. Your estate plan can (and should) reflect all of you—quirks, secrets, and all.

So the next time you open that top drawer, ask yourself: What story am I leaving behind?

And if it’s a story you’d prefer to keep just for yourself… let’s make a plan.

Need help putting the pieces together?

We’re here for the heartfelt chats and the hard questions. No judgement—we’ve seen and heard it all. We listen with open hearts and minds, ready to help you shape your legacy

Let’s create a plan that gives you peace of mind—and your family the grace and clarity they deserve.