Whether death followed a slow decline or was sudden, dealing with the loss of a loved one is a painful process. And as if the loss itself isn’t enough, the month after a loved one’s death can be hectic and difficult, giving you a long list of to-dos that usually has tight deadlines. One example is estate cleaning.
If you’re left to clean out the home of a loved one, you probably don’t know where to start. This guide will help you navigate through the demanding task of the estate cleanout process.
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Ask For Help
Sorting out and organizing a deceased house can be both emotionally and physically draining. Therefore, don’t try to do this alone and reach out for help instead.
In general, you want to ask those closest to you for some assistance. You can request your relatives to help in organizing your late loved one’s estate, assigning and delegating certain tasks in order to break up the responsibilities.
In addition, you can hire a professional to make things easier for you. There are many businesses out there offering deceased estate cleanups, clearance, and rubbish removal services that you can take advantage of. Their experienced staff will do all the heavy lifting to somehow reduce the stress and burden you’re experiencing while saving you time and energy during this difficult period.
No matter where you are, you should be able to get in touch with a reliable trash removal company in your area. For instance, if your loved one’s property happens to be in Sydney, Australia, you can check out this URL to learn more about a service provider you can work with.
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Organize Important Documents
Before you start digging through items, make sure that you gather and organize all the important documents needed to take care of the deceased person’s financial affairs. Those would include the following:
- Utility bills
- Credit card statements
- Any usernames or passwords for online accounts
- Receipts or paperwork for art or jewelry pieces
- Mortgage payments, car registrations, and deeds
- Social security card
- Tax forms
- Insurance policies
- Last will and testament
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Sort And Clear Rooms
Once you’ve organized the necessary documents, you can start the actual estate cleanout process.
Open every box and cabinet and empty every pocket you find in the house. The most sentimental and valuable items are usually hidden in a safe space. If you find anything that may be of high value, you want to put them aside or place them in a marked storage box or bin.
In the largest open area, you can designate zones for items you can sell, donate, or toss. Also, you want to set up a room where you can place sentimental items that either you or other relatives would like to keep.
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Sell Or Donate High-Value Items
Items that are left unclaimed by family members can be sold or donated as long as they’re in good condition. With that said, you want to get a professional appraiser to determine the value of certain items. An expert can help you determine the right pricing for antiques, furniture, artworks, and jewelry pieces, among many others.
If you’re holding an estate sale, the appraiser can also help you attract buyers with effective marketing efforts. However, if you only have a few items to sell, you can just use eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and other similar online options.
After an estate sale, if there are still some items left that aren’t of any use to you, then you can go ahead and donate them. There are various organizations accepting all sorts of donations, so make sure to research nonprofits and charities in your area. You can donate anything from old phones and computer parts to old clothing and antique jewelry to appliances and furniture.
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Do Not Be Afraid To Dispose Of Items
Anything that’s not wanted by heirs, is not suitable for sale, or can’t be donated should be thrown away. Depending on how many items are left, you might need to request professional disposal services to quickly clear out the home.
You might think twice about throwing out anything, but remember that it might just end up being clutter in your own house if you decide to keep but never use it.
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Do Deep Cleaning
Once everything has been removed, it’s time to deep clean the entire house. You can also hire a provider of expert cleaning services to help you accomplish this task. Do a final walkthrough and check every nook and cranny to make sure that nothing has been left behind.
You can take your time in saying goodbye. At this point, you should decide what to do with the house. Depending on the last will and testament of the deceased individual, heirs can sell the house, repair or renovate it, rent it out, or even live in it. Just be careful in approaching this matter if you want to preserve relationships with family members who also have rights to the property.
Conclusion
With all the grieving and the demanding task of dealing with precious memories in your loved one’s home, handling an estate cleanout can be quite stressful. However, by following the above tips and welcoming help, you can tackle the endeavor in the most efficient way possible.
