Clearing a deceased estate

For families dealing with the grief of losing a loved one, the process of handling the sorting and dispersal of a deceased estate can be emotional and physically exhausting. For families living out of the area, finding the time and resources makes it even more challenging.

A professional company offers support and has a network of trusted service providers to assist with items for donation, sale or auction.

They will discuss your priorities, determine if there is a need for maintenance and help you sell valuable possessions. They are also able to recommend a sales or rental agent should you be selling.

HOW CLEARING A DECEASED ESTATE WORKS

• To begin with, the team will create an inventory of items with an image of each item in the deceased estate. These images give you, the children, the opportunity to use this list and decide which items you would like to keep.
• Once the family has decided which items to keep, we allocate the rest into a ‘sell’ or ‘donate’ pile. We liaise every step of the way, obtaining approval on the decision of each item.
• Having spent over a decade in the antique industry has given me the knowledge to inherently understand if something has value or not. It has also given me the network and contacts to call on. This process allows us to get you the best price for them.
• Our starting point for donated items will always be to the charity of your choice. I often get the comments like ‘My mom was involved with the Guide Dogs Association for years’ or ‘My dad always donated old clothes to Hospice’. We then work with those organisations with the items for donation. If you don’t have a preference we will donate to one of the charities we work with. Regarding items to sell – we will recommend where we feel it would be best depending on what you have and the specific circumstances.
• If you are selling the home, we can help prepare your home to list it or prepare for the new buyers. It could include overseeing things like repainting, clearing and cleaning up the garden, a list of general handyman jobs – we will take this on, on your behalf. We also have relationships with several agents and can recommend one to you should you require.
• Assist with the logistics of packing and shipping of items going to family members. We have sent a box of photo’s to New Zealand, a family portrait to the US and a family heirloom antique bureau to Canada. You may just need assistance getting the Noritake dinner service to Cape Town or even down the road.

Clearing an estate will require physically and emotionally straining tasks better suited to a professional estate clearing service. Visit our page on estate clearing for more detail.

For help from Clear Path visit the speciality moves page by clicking here or email info@clear-path.co.za or call Marylou 082 921 9553. Or follow us on Facebook and Instagram