God, I hate to ask this…

My thoughts are with you as well.  Over the years I worked with many patients who were facing end of life decisions.  I learned it is prudent to make plans while you can; but to still hold onto the things that bring you joy and comfort while you are still here.   I think a spread sheet such as lalitk suggested is a great start.  You might want to include instructions as to which friends you would like to bequeath your treasures to, once you are gone.  That will create a legacy of joyful memories amongst your friends, provide you with some comfort while you battle your illness and lessen the work your survivors will have left to do.  I also learned in my work that your doctors and nurses have no way of predicting the future.  One never knows how each individual will respond to treatment.  That and the advent of newer immunologically based treatments can greatly impact your near future.  So enjoy your treasures while you have them and don't give up the fight.  And thanks for sharing your thoughts with your electronic community.  Your comments may help many others ( and all of us at some point ) deal with the issues of living.

I'm so sorry to hear this, my thoughts are with you.

I am on the other side of your situation, having lost a relative with a lot of high end equipment and a lot of media, and me trying to dispose of it in the best way possible. In fact, it's why I've joined here in the first place.

He was a music lover and had a high quality vinyl collection of over 10k albums that he planned to leave to my wife and I. We were able to persuade him a few years before he passed to sell that, as we had no place to keep it or the knowledge to sell it (you can see the story of it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4Y1RGtG5I4&pp=ygUXdG9wcGVyIHZpbnlsIGNvbGxlY3Rpb24%3D and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4Y1RGtG5I4&pp=ygUXdG9wcGVyIHZpbnlsIGNvbGxlY3Rpb24%3D)

When he did pass last year, I inherited a large amount of equipment that I have been selling over the past year on various platforms. It is time (and space) consuming. While I love and will keep some equipment, I do not consider myself an audiophile. Finding the value of much of this equipment is difficult for someone who is not a hobbyist/pro. I was fortunate enough to be able to sell off the entire Kaleidescape system to a single dealer who was a great help (more than a pallet of boxes). I'm still working on selling speakers, amps, and cables which are heavy and bulky to package/ship. While I've recently discovered TMR and would be willing to take a lower price, they aren't interested in the amps/processors as they are focused on 2 channel.

This experience is forcing me to look at all of my own "stuff", and part with much of what is more sentimental than actually used. As I don't actually want most of my parent's prized possessions, I'm sure my daughter will not want mine. I don't want to burden those left behind with the process that I am currently experiencing. I will at some point reach out to a local dealer and try to sell the whole package, but even getting to that point has taken time and effort. It's a difficult and emotional process.

To the OP...very sorry to hear. Hope all goes as well as it can.

I'm not in exactly the same boat...my health challenges have mostly affected quality of life. But I'm not getting younger. I'm thinking of thinning things down so that my wife won't get overwhelmed if I drop dead. Also I'd hate to see her taken advantage of if she tried to sell things.

You seem upbeat and thinking clearly about your situation, it is hard to read and my best wishes to you. 

Although morbid the Swiss practice the "Swedish Death Cleaning" starting around 65 years old.  I have begun this process while I still can move heavy stuff around. I have three Corvettes and two Harleys to deal with.  The Harleys are going, but the vettes are staying.  I enjoy them too much and they could easily be sold at the appropriate time.  

I also have the other side of the coin going in my household, without giving up to much my wife has been diagnosed with a rather severe neurological disorder.  And she has quite a bit of very nice "things" that she holds dear.  No way can I expect her to give them up.

Which brings me to my 2 cents...prioritize all of your audio holdings and keep what gives you the most joy and solace.  Create a detailed plan to dispose of whatever it is you decide to keep.  And do the Swedish thing on what you decide not to keep.

My kids don't want any of my audio gear which sort of pains me because they grew up in a house where music was a near constant.  And so it goes.

I'm very sorry to hear of your troubles and I will send some thoughts up to the big man.

Regards,

barts

Sorry to read of your health, I think this is something we all have to face and you are right, leaving it to a spouse or partner puts a greater burden on them. I bought pieces from a friend’s estate after he passed, in part to help out his widow. 

Maximizing return, for the sake of your estate, would require far more effort than "one stop" deals, like working with TMR or Sky-Fi. I also have Avantgardes (Duos) and they are a bargain today used, compared to the current new market prices.

Same with records, you can either try to maximize which involves more effort (or finding someone like I did, who was willing to take unwanted LPs (about 12 thousand at the time, leaving me with around 5k LPs)), removing them from my place, listing them, selling, shipping, and sending me 50% of the net. 

Yes, any dealer is going to give you far less than market, but the one key thing is to get them to take all of it (if that is what you want).

Other alternatives, with physical media and possibly gear- donate to a music school or library if they have the facilities to actually support such a gift.

I appreciate that part of this is peace of mind and not introducing more stress into your life. 

I wish you the best,