Declutter
Find Out What’s Provided by Your Waste Management Service I suggest contacting the local waste management company to find out the services included with the monthly fee. Some company websites have detailed information online but others require a phone call to receive up-to-date information. Each waste management company offers different services, which may vary among cities. Some include a pickup of up to 15 large trash bags one time per year. Others charge a small fee for each additional bag. In some cities, you can order a dumpster once annually to get rid of excess trash. After exhausting any services included with your fees, most companies will deliver a large dumpster to your home for an additional cost. Often you have one week to fill the dumpster with trash or broken items that can’t be donated. Using the resources of your waste management service is usually more cost-effective than contacting a junk-removal company.
Sell Leftover Items Before the pandemic, it was possible to hire an estate sale company to clear out the rest of your loved ones’ belongings. However, many estate sale companies have suspended that activity. If you do have an estate company available in your area, be aware that they generally receive 30% to 40% of the gross proceeds from the sale. Look for a company that arranges to have unsold items hauled away after the sale and promises to leave the house completely empty. Don’t expect to make a great deal of money on this sale. The goal usually is to clear out the house rather than to make a large profit. Another option may be to contact a local consignment shop or use an online marketplace. Often, it can be difficult to find a buyer for these items. You may end up giving them away for free. When negotiating directly with a potential new owner, remind them to provide their own truck and the muscle to move the furniture. Even though you probably won’t receive much money for your parents’ precious furniture, at least someone can give the pieces a new home. Also, giving furniture away will save money on fees for hauling or junk-removal companies.
Ship Furniture and Boxes to Out-of-Town Heirs Once items have been divided up, they should be packed in sturdy moving boxes, padded with packing paper or bubble wrap and secured with quality moving tape. Label each box with the recipient’s name and address. Also label it with the intended location in the home, such as “Dining Room” or “Kitchen.” A brief list of the box’s contents is also helpful. Coordinate with a reputable moving company to move furniture and boxes to out-of-town heirs. The lowest bid isn’t always the best deal. Read reviews carefully and, if possible, get a referral from a real estate agent or friend.
Establish the Value of Antiques and Vintage Pieces Many items left in the home may go unclaimed. Consider offering these belongings to grandchildren, cousins or other family members not mentioned in the will. Many of my clients overestimate the value of inherited belongings. Sometimes a quick online search will determine the worth of an item. If you suspect that a piece of art, an antique chair or a special ring is of great value, consider finding a local auction house. Many will accept a photo and provide an approximate value.
Assess Interest in Other Household Items and Furniture Often, personal property such as jewelry, artwork and antique furniture is not expressly mentioned in the will. The process of dividing up the more valuable possessions can lead to conflict among heirs. I suggest that each heir create a wish list of items. When the lists are compared, you may discover that many objects are on only one list. If two or more heirs want the same item, attempt to work out an equitable solution while prioritizing the importance of personal relationships over material possessions.
Recently I assisted two clients who were responsible for clearing out their parents’ house. The spacious residence, purchased 50 years earlier, had once been home to a family with five children. Sadly, both elderly parents had recently passed away and the home needed to be emptied out and put on the market. Tackling an enormous project like this following the passing of a loved one can be exhausting under any circumstances. However, managing the process during the pandemic, when resources are limited, can be fraught with even more emotion, conflict and frustration. I recommend the following tips if you’re faced with a similar task.
Your Health Gets in the Way A long-term health problem can sometimes result in household clutter as schedules are upset by medical appointments and free time becomes scarce. In these circumstances, a person may lack energy or mobility. Similarly, clutter can accumulate as we age and lose energy, balance or mental capacity for making decisions.
You Avoid Making Decisions About Your Things Some people avoid deciding what to do with their clutter by placing items in a basement, garage or closet not visible from the main living spaces. This is a common tactic when quickly cleaning up before a party. However, this type of clutter weighs on people’s minds because they know it has to be dealt with sometime.
Have Any Remaining Trash Hauled Away Your real estate agent can usually recommend a reputable hauling company to take away anything left in the house. This should be your last resort since these items are destined for the landfill. This is a great way to dispose of large or bulky items that can’t be donated or placed in a trash can. For example, a broken outdoor umbrella or excessively worn couch can be picked up by a hauler. They generally charge by the load plus dump fees.
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