How to Clear a Deceased Estate:

In general terms we recommend when clearing out a house after someone has died, the process is handled in stages, so you don’t accidentally dispose of something valuable or legally important. This checklist is ideal if you’re an executor of an estate.

Here’s our practical order of operations for clearing a deceased estate:

1. Confirm who has authority

• The executor/administrator of the estate should make decisions about the property and its contents. This can be confirmed with the Lawyer/ Solicitor that prepared the Last Will & Testament
• If probate or letters of administration are involved, check what authority has been granted with the Lawyer/Solicitor or Executor of the Estate before disposing of assets, even if they aren’t worth high monetary value.

2. Secure the property

• Change the locks or collect keys if necessary.
• Arrange insurance, utilities and basic property maintenance.
• Remove obvious valuables and important documents to a secure location.
  
  

3. Set aside important items

   Create separate boxes/storage for:
• Wills, probate and legal documents
• Bank and investment records
• Property title, mortgage and insurance documents
• Identification and certificates
• Jewellery, cash and collectibles
• Family photographs and sentimental items
• Anything that may have financial or historical value
  
  

4. Give beneficiaries the opportunity to choose belongings

   Before selling or throwing things away, make an inventory and establish what beneficiaries want. For larger estates, photographing each room and using a spreadsheet can make this much easier. Or employing a professional such as The Kind Agent can be beneficial to provide an independent opinion and help with the workload.
   
   

5. Value anything potentially worth money

   Consider professional valuations for jewellery, antiques, artwork, collectibles, vehicles and other valuable possessions. Don't assume something is worthless because it looks old or ordinary. Also consider sentimental value.

6. Sell or donate what remains

   Depending on the items, options include:
• Estate auction
• Second-hand dealers
• Online marketplaces
• Charities such as Got Your Back Sista or Salvos
• Specialist antique/collectible dealers
• Furniture removal or donation services
• Companies like The Kind Agent, Pronto Junk
  
  

7. Dispose of rubbish last

   Once valuable and wanted items have been removed, arrange a rubbish removal service, skip bin or council collection for the remainder. Be particularly careful with paint, chemicals, gas bottles, medications and electronics, which may require special disposal. Pronto Junk may be able to assist with this.
   
   

8. Clean the property

   After the house is empty, arrange a thorough clean—especially if it's going to be sold or rented. You may also need gardening, carpet cleaning, pest treatment or minor repairs. Polished Nation Cleaning are experts in vacate cleans and crisis cleans.

For more information or further tips around communicating with family and how to navigate notifications to family members and the order of sorting the home visit www.thekindagent.com.au for FREE RESOURCES.