Top 15 Tips for Dealing With Personal Property in Estates
Prepare ahead of time. Learn about trusted local resources, ask questions, and develop a Plan A and Plan B. Keep a list of important contacts and resources so your loved ones do not have to gather everything during a crisis.
Enlist the help of family members. When appropriate, involve siblings or other family members who are willing and able to help. Participation can save time and give everyone an opportunity to understand the process.
Locate important documents. An authorized representative should secure estate-planning documents, financial records, insurance policies, retirement and investment information, titles or deeds, keys, and contact information for attorneys, financial advisers, accountants, insurance representatives, and other professionals. Protect sensitive information and seek legal guidance when authority is unclear.
Get professional help when needed. A personal property appraiser may help determine the value of certain property, while an estate sale professional can help sell household contents. Search ASEL’s Find a Liquidator directory for members serving your area.
Take inventory and photographs. Walk through the property and document items with financial or sentimental importance. Share the inventory with the appropriate family members, heirs, or authorized representatives. If an appraisal has been completed, retain and share it with the appropriate parties.
Secure the property and valuables. The person legally authorized to manage the estate should secure keys, review access to the property, document valuable items, and consider applicable insurance coverage. Jewelry, silver, cash, artwork, and other valuable property may require additional protection until decisions are made about distribution or sale.
Set a date to begin sorting the property. If the work is too difficult or time-consuming for the family, consider asking an estate sale company whether it offers estate sale and cleanout services.
Create four categories. Separate items into those that will be kept, sold, donated, or discarded. An estate consultant or other qualified professional may be able to help when the appropriate category is unclear.
Be fair when dividing property. Family members may place different financial or sentimental importance on the same belongings. Communicate clearly, document decisions, and seek professional assistance when disagreements cannot be resolved.
Use an organized process. Begin in one area of the property and work through it systematically. Completing one floor, room, or category at a time can make the project easier to manage.
Work safely. Use appropriate gloves, masks, first-aid supplies, tools, and other protective equipment. Stop work if you encounter pests, mold, chemicals, structural hazards, medications, weapons, or other potentially dangerous materials. Contact qualified professionals when specialized treatment or removal is needed.
Recycle and dispose of materials responsibly. Recycle cardboard, paper, plastic, electronics, and other materials when possible. Follow local instructions for disposing of paint, cleaning products, medications, chemicals, and other restricted materials.
Check possible storage and hiding places. With proper authority, carefully inspect safes, filing cabinets, books, drawers, containers, mattresses, closets, and other places where documents, cash, jewelry, keys, or small valuables may have been stored.
When in doubt, do not throw it out. Before discarding or donating unfamiliar items, consider asking an estate sale professional, appraiser, or other qualified person to review them. Items that appear insignificant may still be sellable or important to the estate.
Reduce future accumulation. Regularly review closets, attics, garages, and storage areas. Consider donating, selling, recycling, or discarding things you no longer use so the responsibility does not eventually fall entirely on someone else.
