The 5 Simple Steps That Can Make Clearance of Your Relative's Estate Much Easier

When you're facing the task of clearing out your relative's home after their death, it can seem overwhelming. After all, you're already feeling the loss of someone you loved dearly. Dealing with the clearing of their estate can make the situation even more difficult. The best way to approach the situation is to give yourself plenty of time, and then tackle it a bit at a time. Here are the steps that can make deceased estate clearance as smooth and easy as possible. 

1. Speak to the Estate Executor

The executor of the estate can verify exactly who is named in your relative's will. Be sure that you have a list of every item that has been designated in the will. Immediately set those items aside, and make sure that you clearly label them with the appropriate names to avoid confusion whilst you're clearing the home out. 

2. Determine What You Want to Keep

Whilst you're unlikely to want everything in the home, there are undoubtedly at least a few items that are special to you. On a room by room basis, look for the items that are special favourites or things that have sentimental meaning for you. Gather these things together and remove them from the home straight away, before you even consider starting the actual clearing out process. 

3. Consider Which Items Appear to Have Monetary Value

Now that you've got the items that you're going to keep, it's time to consider what should be sold. Move through the home room by room again, this time looking for items that you recognise as having enough value to be sold. This would include items like antique furniture, fine jewellery, and special collectibles like stamps or coins. Some companies that specialise in deceased estates clearance will give you instant cash for antiques and other valuable items, whilst others will arrange for an estate sale which is supervised by their employees. 

4. Donate Unwanted Items to a Charity

Once you've chosen the items that have sentimental value and sold the items that have monetary value, you're likely to be left with a great many things. Many of these items can make a generous donation to a local charity, but you'll need to contact the charity first to be certain about what they can use. Many local charities will agree to visit the home to do an evaluation, especially when dealing with such a large quantity of items. Often, they'll also be happy to take the items away as well. 

5. Hire a Skip Bin

If there are still items left after all the steps above, they'll likely be destined for the bin. Depending upon the volume of items left, you might need to hire a skip bin. The skip bin provider will take care of the transport, but you'll be responsible for the loading of the items. This is a good chance to take one final look at the items to make certain they can't be used by anyone. 

Whilst it's never easy to deal with the clearance of your relative's estate, it's necessary, and if you follow the guidelines above it can be much smoother than you had anticipated.