After a loved one has died, their estate needs to be handled so that the home can be sold. The person in charge of the estate cleanout will want to make sure it’s done right to preserve the loved one’s memory and to make sure the home is ready for sale by the time everything is done. The following are a few steps that can be taken to help with this process.
Get Professional Help for the Cleanout
It is recommended to get help from a professional estate cleanout company. Along with the experience handling estate cleanouts, the company is not emotionally attached to the property or the belongings left behind by the loved one, so they can help with processing everything and making non-emotional decisions. This helps the process be completed faster and can help to minimize potential issues during the estate cleanout.
Start With Preservation of the Property
It is a good idea to start by making sure the property is secure and that everything is safe. Changing the locks on the door is often a good idea, as it may not be known who has a copy of the keys. Take time to handle any plants or animals in the home to ensure they are cared for, then take steps to change the mail and make sure that any packages coming to the house are rerouted to another person’s home. This step should be taken immediately to prevent potential harm to the home or any animals living there.
Tour the Home and Create an Action Plan
The next step is to go through the home, briefly, to see what’s there and what needs to be done. It’s a good idea to create a list of what’s in the different rooms, what repairs may be needed in the home, and more. This will enable the person handling the cleanout to create an action plan to tackle everything. Be aware that it may be necessary to take valuables out of the home during this time to prevent them from being stolen before they can be distributed to the heirs.
Start Sorting Through the Belongings
Once there is an action plan, it’s time to start sorting through the belongings and making decisions about what to do with them. Valuables and sentimental items should be kept separate during this step. Other items may be donated to a charity or sold in an estate sale if they are in good condition and may be used by someone else. Medications and other items will need to be handled according to local regulations to prevent theft or misuse.
Store Valuables and Sentimental Items Carefully
Once everything is organized, go through the valuables and sentimental items to make sure they’re removed from the home and stored properly. These items may be mentioned in the person’s will, so it is important to make sure they are protected from damage or theft until they can be given to the correct person according to the will.
Get Rid of the Remaining Items
After anything that can be reused or needs to be saved has been removed from the home, everything else can be removed and thrown away. Though this can be an emotional part of the process, it is the last step needed before the home can be cleaned and ready to sell.
Managing an estate cleanout after the loss of a loved one can be a challenging task because of the emotions. Working with a professional can help make this process a lot easier and ensure everything is handled properly. Talk to the professionals now to learn more about how they can help.