Kkg, does there happen to be a community college or maybe even a high school would take them. I know when I was taking courses years ago there were never enough law books to check out to research. Good on you to be able to clear some of these things. And yes the triggers. I still cannot even think of parting with anything of my husband's. It may be years before I can, and I'm ok with that. Hugs, Michele

Maybe contact an attorney's office to see if they would like them as reference or history type usage. Some one would like them Im sure.

if your willing to sell them, you might look at

http://www.abebooks.com/books/old-books-antique-appraising-pricing/book-values.shtml

http://www.biblio.com/book-value

might be helpful, as some of those old books could be worth a bit (just thinking about your other post about insurance..perhaps this would be a way to help you out a little at least)

just as a quick example, Black's Law Dictionary 2014 edition sells for $254

You're in SoCal, maybe offer it to one of the film schools to use as props?

I had to liquidate our very large library (16 bookcases full). Some I sold to friends, some to our local book dealers, some I gave away, and some went to charity thrift shops. Getting rid of our books was one of the most gut-wrenching things I had to do. It was like getting rid of close friends or something. We were both avid readers, as are both our sons, and there were oodles and boodles of memories tied up in those books. I saved a few that were too emotionally precious or which I knew to be first editions and of some value, but most went. It was heart-breaking, but I got through it.

Law books are difficult because generally speaking most of them won't have any current usage. Many law firms simply put their old books out for recycling. The Black's Law Dictionary would still be useful for someone, the others probably not, hence the suggestion as movie props.

I had the same problem with the Rolodexes - in fact, just about anything written in Cliff's handwriting was hard to part with and whittle down. His writing as well as his writing style was unique, very eccentric, very Cliff. I have kept a batch of stuff, I have a special box for things like that and other small stuff. Probably the most special are the songs and poems he wrote for me and the early love letters.

I understand how hard this process is, truly I do. Hang in there....

Love and Hugs,
Martha

Some attorneys (and accountants) like to put old books out in the waiting area for eye candy. Law schools will most likely take them too for their library. Just a thought. ~ Scott

I gave my husband's library of specialist text books to the university. They're keeping them together as a reference collection named in his honour.

I would keep the Black's Law Dictionary -- it's a great reference and many terms are so ancient they don't change even in a newer edition.

As to the other stuff, like a rolodex, those are so personal and now so rare given our electronic contacts lists, that I would hold on to them for a while before deciding to part with them.

Other types of legal reference books really do become obsolete and even misleading to use or read, so unless you feel sentimental attachment, you could recycle them or donate to goodwill.

You can donate to a library bookstore. They will sell and money raised is used for special programs or to purchase additonal books, etc.

I had company coming over so took the heavy books one by one upstairs and hurriedly put them on the desk in our home office. They looked so stately standing there, outside of the cardboard box where they sat in a corner for 6 months.
Hmmmm.
We have lots of good art hanging in the office, but one large wall over the couch inexplicably has been left blank...These old books are really beautiful, so Im now thinking of having a nice shelf built, and putting the books on the wall, as art and eye candy! Also a memorial to the old, fallen lawyer. Thats all he ever wanted to do.
When I die and the house and contents go to the kids, THEY will get to decide what to do with them. Theyll really be antiques by then (hopefully) Ha!

Having a shelf made is a wonderful idea for all those books! I knew you would come up with something. And what a touching memorial to remember your husband by. Great job! Hugs and Love, Michele

He had a decoration on his office wall at work, which they sent to me. At first, I could not bear to hang it in the house, altho I knew the wall where it would go.It would make me way too sad.
But then one day I felt like hanging it up, and can now look at it and not be sad, but matter-of-fact about it.
I know Ill eventually feel that way about his books on the wall.
Thanks everyone, for your input.
Thanks, Michele, for your faith in me! :-)