Standing in the middle of a loved one’s home who has passed can be overwhelming, not to mention emotional. Where to start? Who wants what? What can I sell? What should I keep? Who can help?
Starting with the end in mind may help. If an empty, broom-clean house is the endgame, well, then it all must go somewhere. The question then becomes, “How?”
Every estate is different and will have different needs. Every family is different. Below are a few considerations and resources to help the executor attack this project with a project management mindset. Estate Cleanout is often one of the biggest chores of estates. To give it the best chance of success, consider the following.
Realtor Communication
- If you are selling, what is the schedule for listing?
- Considerations like season, market expectations, property preparation and other factors may affect timing for listing, and accordingly, the cleanout timing. Earlier is better.
Family Communication
- Determining what personal property is desired by the beneficiaries prior to cleanout. A tool like Fairsplit (https://www.fairsplit.com/plans/pricing-estate-division/) may simplify that task.
- As the fiduciary, be transparent as possible with the contents of the estate, with all beneficiaries to have opportunity to express their wishes.
- Estate Administration often takes longer than anticipated. Be clear with family about expectations and schedule for cleanout.
Appraisal?
Are contents of the property material to the value of the estate? Is an appraisal necessary? A discussion with an estate attorney may be necessary to determine when and if an appraiser’s services are necessary. If they are, scheduling of appraisal may affect scheduling of cleanout.
Liquidation: Estate Sale? Auction?
- Timing of liquidation assumes the heirs have taken the personal property and the remainder is available for liquidation. What is not sold, may be discarded.
- Timing of simple cleanout or junk removal services assumes that the contents of the home is all to be discarded and the property cleared of movable items.
Research Estate Cleanout Options
- Ask for and read a copy of the agreement.
- Read reviews: Google, Facebook, Better Business Bureau but keep in mind reviews are written by friends and competitors alike.
- Ask questions!
- How long have you been in business?
- How much of your work is Estate Cleanout?
- What are your disposal practices?
- What are your donation and recycling practices?
- Will you provide a Certificate of Insurance?
Contractor Service Requirements
- A complete sort, go-through? The cleanout company plays a larger roll in the decision of what is discarded, and what remains, for family to distribute.
- A third-party liquidation company sells what has value on behalf of the estate. Usually this takes place following distribution of personal property to family. The remainder is left for simple removal.
- Often an estate will clear the personal property of value for sale or distribution prior to estate cleanout. The remainder is left for removal.
Communications of your objectives and expectations as the fiduciary, are essential to get stakeholders on the same page so you can do your job, and meet your objectives.
Tip: An Executor’s tool: Artifcts: An app that let’s you take pictures, record or note description or memory, share with others and get feedback. “OK to toss”, “I want it!”, “Sell”, etc. Artifcts is very useful when distance or communication is an issue. It is also helpful for recording memories freeing you to let go of sentimental items.
https://artifcts.com/
Other resources:
The Estate Cleanout
https://executorium.com/organizing-and-cleanout/the-estate-cleanout/
Estate Talks: Insider Tips from Executor/Estate Cleanout Professional
https://executorium.com/curated-resources/estate-talks-insider-tips-from-executor-estate-cleanout-professional/
Estate Cleanout 101: Understanding Dumpsters
https://executorium.com/organizing-and-cleanout/estate-cleanout-101-understanding-dumpsters/
Executor Road: Out! They Say…
https://executorium.com/executor-road-blog/executor-road-out-they-say/
This article was contributed by George Compton with Executorium.com, an expert resource for those put in charge of dealing with a loved one’s estate. For more information you can email George and his team at info@executorium.com. Thank you George for your thoughtful article and your heart for helping Executors and Estates across the United States!