0:00 – Intro
1:25 – Step 1: Meet the Executor
1:47 – Step 2: Timing
2:17 – Step 3: Meet Your Team
2:50 – Step 4: Family & Valuables
3:56 – Step 5: Estate Sale
4:25 – Step 6: Donations
4:38 – Step 7: Shredding
5:26 – Step 8: Hauling
Organizing the estate after a loved one has passed is never easy — but there are basic steps to follow to settle affairs and make this process run smoothly for you and everyone involved. With these steps, you will successfully meet the goals of closing the estate, while also giving family and friends the opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of their loved one.
As the heir, close friend or professional organizer helping clear the estate, the first step is to meet with the executor. The executor will have all the details of the will, should know all the important people in this person’s life and can provide direction on all aspects of the estate. You have the unique opportunity to get to know this loved one through so many different eyes!
In this first meeting with the executor, you should also learn about the timing of this estate closure: is the family keen to clear contents quickly and sell the home? Or are they allowing time for family and friends to come to the home, go through photos, process memorabilia and save treasures as heirlooms? That timing will set the tone for how quickly this estate organization process goes. The next step is to create a key list of stakeholders who will help you clear out this estate, like family members, the realtor, a stager, repairmen and all the various vendors.
When it comes to possessions, you will want to ask the executor how they would like family members and friends to select items to keep, and if they would like to create an inventory of valuables in the home. Some valuables like jewelry, silver or collections should be appraised if the executor wants to sell them in order to add to the financial health of the estate.
The next step is selling items in the estate, usually through an estate sale or online auction. After everything with value has either been given to family and friends or sold, you will now review all contents of the home and discern what can be donated. The deceased may have supported a favorite charity, so that’s a good place to start for making donations. Schedule donation pick-ups to ensure items are cleared from the home and going to a good cause.
During this part of the home review and donation organizing process, it’s important to take time to collect all paperwork as there may be important documents to retain and give to the executor (e.g. a house deed, appraisals of valuables, tax documents, investments, stock certificates, etc.). You should also gather all items with personal information, bank accounts, Social Security numbers, etc. that should be shredded.
Finally, the last step of clearing out the estate is to schedule a hauling company to come to the home and remove any items that remain. This way, you are leaving a cleared home, estate and peace of mind for all involved so family and friends can now celebrate this life that was lived.
0:00 – Intro
1:25 – Step 1: Meet the Executor
1:47 – Step 2: Timing
2:17 – Step 3: Meet Your Team
2:50 – Step 4: Family & Valuables
3:56 – Step 5: Estate Sale
4:25 – Step 6: Donations
4:38 – Step 7: Shredding
5:26 – Step 8: Hauling
If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below. I would love to help you!
Also, check out the rest of my organizing videos – and get inspired to get organized! Visit me at https://caryprinceorganizing.com/
I’m Cary Prince – organizing stylist, clutter wrangler, and chaos eliminator.
My job? To bring more order, beauty, and happiness into your life – so that you have more time to enjoy it!
I apply my organizing skills and concepts to transform kitchens, closets, offices, garages, storage units, and entire homes into organized, useful spaces. Seeing the happiness and relief it brings my clients is the true meaning, joy and benefit of being organized.
I transform your life one space at a time — so you can finally do what you love.
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