Handling a deceased estate cleanup
Handling a deceased estate cleanup can be overwhelming and stressful. It is never easy to lose a loved one, no matter the cause of their passing, it is a painful process that can feel neverending.
When it comes to cleaning out the deceased personal belongings it can get even harder. Here is an idea of some of the things you need to consider.
Call Clear Path to help you handle the deceased estate cleanup
That may sound like a pitch for business, but getting outside help and support may very well be your salvation from being overwhelmed and stressed while grieving the loss of your loved one.
Schedule a time
If you are going to try and clean up the house yourself, set a time and date and invite family members and, or friends to help out.
Secure the property
As you don’t know to whom your loved one has handed out spare keys and remotes, update all the locks and remote control settings. It may be close people but to have peace of mind, change the locks.
Make an inventory
Before you start with the sorting and clearing, make an inventory of all the items in the deceased estate. This will help when it comes to noting which items need to go to family members, decisions can be made about selling, donating and getting rid of items.
Handling a deceased estate clean up; all the paperwork
While doing the inventory, you keep an eye out for paperwork. Policies, bank accounts, etc. These may be difficult to find so you check the draws and cupboards. Some people like to keep their paperwork safe and may have found special places so you may need to hunt!
You will need to find the following:
- The will: this is an important document as it will guide you through who the executor is and it is a good idea to read it carefully before the cleanout. Many people make bequests of special items and you need to ‘tag’ these first. In addition, it will allow you to ensure that the executor is following all instructions.
- Insurance policies: the insurance companies will need to be advised of the policyholders’ passing so that the relevant claim forms can be supplied.
- Bank accounts: advise the bank of the client’s passing and the accounts closed.
- Debts: it’s a good idea to make a list of debts and outstanding invoices that are owed e.g. credit card, home loans, car loans, etc. These companies need to be advised of the passing and arrangements made to settle outstanding amounts.
- Investments: contact the broker to inform them of their client’s passing so that arrangements with the policies and investments can be made. If you can’t find a record of who the broker is, call the company on one of the policies and they should be able to tell who the broker of record is.
Redirect mail and email
Decide on an email address to send all email to so that any issues can be addressed. If you don’t want the email going to a personal or work address, create a Gmail address dedicated to receiving any email. You will need to change the postal address with companies as well.
Personal items
Here we are talking about photographs, personal mementoes, items that family members would like to keep and sentimental items. Have a category for items to donate to charity or to be discarded.
With antiques, jewellery, furniture, art and other collectables ensure you talk to reputable dealers. If your family member has many of these items, it is a good reason to work with a professional organiser and deceased estate clean-up company such as Clear Path. Their expertise will ensure that the items are distributed to the right people.
Cleaning
When everything is done and the last items have left the home, make arrangements for a thorough cleaning. You can persuade family members to assist in this or, better yet, hire a professional cleaning company to do the job.
Clear Path will arrange this as the last step in the project process.
Hire a professional organiser
A professional organiser is practised in, among other services, cleaning out deceased estates. Clear Path will lighten the physical and emotional stress of the entire process by working closely with you and doing the ‘heavy lifting’ to allow you the time to reminisce over a special item and grieve.
Click here for more tips about clearing a loved one’s estate.
Contact Clear Path here or send an email to admin@clear-path.co.za.