We tend to think that if we bought something, we own it—and if we own it, we can pass it on in our will. But the law doesn’t always see it that way. From digital assets to jointly held property, there are many things that might not go to your heirs the way you expect. Let’s break down what that means—and how to plan for it.
Digital Purchases You “Own” But Really Don’t

That massive library of movies, books, and music you’ve collected on platforms like Amazon, iTunes, or Kindle? You don’t actually own those files—you’re licensing them. These licenses are usually non-transferable, which means they die with you. Your heirs won’t inherit your digital library unless the platform allows it (and most don’t).
What to do: If your digital life is valuable to you or your loved ones, explore services that allow legacy access, or document your logins (securely) and state your wishes clearly in your estate plan, even if they’re not legally binding.
Your Home Might Not Be Entirely Yours

If your home is held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship (common with married couples), it automatically passes to the surviving co-owner—not your heirs—regardless of your will. The same goes for “tenancy by the entirety” and “community property with right of survivorship” in certain states.
What to do: Understand how your property is titled. If your intent is to leave it to someone other than the joint owner, you may need to retitle the property or use a trust.
Retirement Accounts Bypass Your Will

401(k)s, IRAs, and other retirement accounts don’t follow your will—they go to the person named as the beneficiary on the account. That designation overrides any instructions you put in your will, even if it’s outdated.
What to do: Regularly review and update your beneficiary designations—especially after major life events like marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.
Life Insurance Isn’t Part of Your Estate (Unless You Make It)

Life insurance payouts go directly to the listed beneficiaries, bypassing your will entirely. If you name your estate as the beneficiary, it becomes part of probate—which can delay payment and subject it to creditors.
What to do: Be strategic with your beneficiary choices. You can use life insurance trusts if you want more control, especially for large estates or complex family situations.
Cars and Other Titled Property May Be Co-Owned

Some vehicles, bank accounts, or other titled assets may be held jointly—even if you think of them as yours alone. Like real estate, joint ownership means the surviving owner gets full control, no matter what your will says.
What to do: Clarify ownership status now. If you want specific items to go to certain people, make sure the title reflects that, or designate transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiaries where applicable.
Business Interests Often Have Restrictions

If you own an interest in an LLC or corporation, your ability to transfer it via a will may be limited by the company’s operating agreement or bylaws. Some agreements require remaining owners to buy your share or approve any new owner.
What to do: Review your business agreements carefully and make sure your estate plan aligns with those rules. A buy-sell agreement or succession plan can make transitions smoother for everyone.
How This All Affects Your Will

The biggest takeaway? Your will is only one piece of the puzzle. Many of the things you “own” don’t pass through your will at all. If your estate plan only includes a will and ignores how assets are titled or what your beneficiary forms say, you could accidentally disinherit someone—or spark costly disputes.
To avoid that, coordinate your will with the rest of your estate plan. Make sure your beneficiary designations, titles, and trusts all work together toward your goals.