Estate Clearing: How to Wrap Up a Well-Lived Life

Kim Kubsch

Clearing a home after someone passes away can be an emotional and challenging task. The first five steps to help you through the process were featured in the October 2024 Sun Lakes Splash. Here are the last five steps to help you clear an estate, which can be a very long process that requires diligent time and effort.

6. Handle Financial Affairs

• Settle Debts: Pay off any outstanding debts or bills.

• Close Accounts: Close bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial accounts.

• File Final Tax Returns: You may need to file a final tax return on behalf of the deceased.

7. Clean and Prepare the Home

• Thorough Cleaning: Hire a professional cleaning service to prepare the home for sale or rental.

• Repairs: Make any necessary repairs to prepare the property for sale or for the next occupant.

• Meet a Realtor or Two: If selling the home, consult with a realtor early in the process to determine the best approach. Often a realtor will do a pocket-listing or post a sign, “Coming Soon.” In most states, title companies require an original death certificate to process closing documents.

8. Dispose of Unwanted Items

• Trash: Rent a dumpster, if needed, for large amounts of trash.

• Safely dispose of any hazardous materials like old paint or cleaning and pest control chemicals. Disposal sources may include your local waste disposal operator or Habitat for Humanity.

• Medications: Do not dispose of in a trash can or toilet. Gather in a plastic bag and take to your local pharmacy. Some have a bin that resembles a white mailbox. Other disposal sources include the Sheriff’s Posse or medical offices.

• Needles, lancets, and syringes need to be placed in a special “sharps” container, which can be purchased at a drugstore or medical supply store.

• Recycle items that cannot be donated but shouldn’t be trashed.

9. Consider Professional Help

• Downsizing/Estate Clean-Out Services: These companies specialize in clearing out homes after a death.

• Appraisers: For high-value items, professional appraisals may be necessary. Before engaging an appraiser, search Important Documents File to review historical appraisals.

• Estate Sale or Auction Companies: They can handle selling belongings on behalf of the estate. Some do the sales or auctions on-site, and some conduct all sales online.

10. Emotional Support

• Take Breaks: The process can be overwhelming, so allow yourself time to rest.

• Help: Ask friends and family members for assistance.

• Counseling: Consider talking to a grief counselor if the process becomes too emotionally difficult. Many hospice providers include bereavement counselors for families after a death.

To avoid being a burden on your family, advance preparation for one’s expiration date or demise is valuable. To make this task less of a burden, source a book or binder like Getting Your Life Together Organizer. Amazon offers many options, but not all offer a workbook format to maintain the information while alive and for use after one’s demise.

Clearing a home after a loved one’s death is a significant task, both emotionally and physically. Take your time and tap into these resources and people who can help.

Stay tuned for monthly articles about decluttering, downsizing, organizing, making transitions, and clearing of estates. Learn more from my book Getting Your Life Together Organizer and my soon-to-be-released book Joy of Downsizing.

Call me at 480-720-8566 to learn about my free 30-minute consultation or to speak to your group. Or reach me by email at [email protected]. My website is www.JoyfulDOWNSIZING.com.