Checklist
Estate cleanout checklist
You don’t have to do it all at once. Work in this order and the important things get found before anything leaves the house.
Before anything moves
- Confirm who has the legal authority to clear the home. Ask the estate’s attorney if you’re not sure.
- Secure the home and change the locks if needed.
- Find the papers: wills, deeds, titles, tax records, insurance and bank statements.
- Set aside valuables, medications, keys and firearms, and handle each one properly.
- Take photos of each room before you start.
Sort room by room
- Agree with family on who takes what, in writing if it could cause a fight.
- Mark items as keep, sell, donate or haul.
- Check pockets, books, drawers and boxes. Things get tucked away.
- Have anything that might be valuable appraised before it goes.
Clear it out
- Send me photos when what’s left is ready to go.
- Tell me anything that’s off limits. I can work around it.
- Usable items get donated when we can, and the rest goes to licensed facilities.
- Sweep up, then wash the driveway or patio if the house is being sold.
FAQ
Questions
Do I have to be there?
Not always. If we’ve agreed exactly what goes and can get in, I’ll text you photos when it’s done. That helps out-of-town family.
Text a photo. Get a price.
Got stuff to get rid of? Text me a photo.
Send a picture to (619) 972-3798 and I'll text you back a price. If it works for you, we pick a time and haul it off.