Estate Cleanouts: Top Tips

Estate Cleanouts: Top Tips – If you’re facing cleaning out an estate, you may feel overwhelmed. Add to that the grief you may be experiencing over a divorce or the death of a parent, and the task of cleaning out the estate can seem insurmountable.

One way in which you can lessen the burden on you and your family during such a difficult time is to hire a professional estate cleanout company with experts that can move your appliances, furniture, household goods and just plain old junk that’s been cluttering up the home for years. Check out these top tips to keep in mind so that the transition goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Work in conjunction with siblings and other family members. Engaging peacefully with family members can make the process go more smoothly rather than set the stage for bitter fights over property. Ask each sibling to write down what they would like to claim from the estate, then have a meeting to go over all requests and come to a mutually acceptable agreement. If a peaceful resolution isn’t possible, hire a lawyer or outside mediator to help you through it.
2. Keep photos and other memorabilia. You may be tempted to throw everything out in your attempt to get on with the sale and your life. Even in the event of divorce when you can’t think fondly of the other person in the moment, hold on to those photos and trinkets. They aren’t worth much at all in terms of resale value, and throwing them out will just serve to frustrate you later when you want some kind of keepsake of that part of your life. Memories will fade, grudges will pass, and you will look to those photos as a way to cherish fleeting relationships.
3. Don’t rush the process. Take the time to sift through everything, including mementos, paperwork, and boxes crammed into the back of closets. Yes, you may be grieving, but skipping this step could cost you emotionally and financially later on. Remember, many people – particularly senior citizens – sock money away in the most unlikely of places.
4. Save all financial documents rather than throw them out in your haste or grief. Buy some accordion folders and perhaps a filing cabinet, sort through all the documents, and file appropriately. You will need these papers for tax purposes, debt payoffs, life insurance cash outs and more. If you’re unsure what to keep, keep it anyway. These documents can include 401(k) records, tax returns, receipts for filing taxes, wills, stock certificates, deeds and bank statements.
5. Donate clothing or sell it online. Clothing also does not have a big resale value, and it’s hardly worth your time to sell it. If you have the inclination and time, you can throw it up on craigslist or a similar site to see what sells, but it’s often more rewarding and less time consuming to simply donate it all to someone who can use it. Bonus: you can use it as a tax write-off.
6. Ask for help when you need it. You can’t do it all alone. With such a strong emotional tie to the home you’re cleaning out, it’s difficult to gain perspective on what you should keep and what you shouldn’t. In a nutshell, if it’s broken, hasn’t been used in years, contains no sentimental value or is unsafe, it should be tossed. A professional estate cleanout company like The Junk Guys can haul away all your junk, trash and debris for one affordable price.

Call The Junk Guys today to book your appointment at 732-333-1805.