Take a Breath First
Inheriting a parent's home, or being named executor of one, often arrives in the same week as a funeral. It is normal to feel overwhelmed. The good news is that very little has to happen immediately. The first weeks are about protecting what is there, not dealing with all of it.
This guide sets out an ordered plan. When you are ready for help with the contents, professional deceased estate clearing can take on the physical work while you stay in charge of decisions.
Your First Weeks: An Ordered Plan
Week 1: Locate the will and confirm the executor
Find the will, if there is one, and confirm who the executor is. If you cannot find a will, or there are questions about it, speak to an estate lawyer. Avoid making decisions about the home until roles are clear.
Week 1: Secure the home
Lock doors and windows, account for every key, and consider changing locks if many people have had access. Collect the mail. Make sure heat stays on in cold months.
Weeks 1 to 2: Secure valuables and papers
Jewelry, cash, watches, important documents, firearms and anything the family has named as precious should be secured and recorded. Leave the rest where it is.
Weeks 1 to 2: Call the insurer
Tell the insurer the owner has died and ask about vacancy terms, which can affect coverage.
Weeks 2 to 4: Meet an estate lawyer
Your lawyer will explain the probate process, the probate timeline and when it is appropriate to begin dispersing contents.
Weeks 2 to 6: Book an estate clearing consultation
Even if clearing will not start for months, an early consultation gives you a plan, a price and a schedule to share with your lawyer and family.
Do not throw anything out yet
The most common regret we hear is an early bag of papers or a box of photos that went to the curb. Wait until papers are found and the family has reviewed keepsakes.
What the Free Consultation Covers
The consultation is free, takes about 90 minutes, and we arrive in an unmarked vehicle. Catherine Delacroix or a senior crew lead walks the home with you, room by room. We talk about:
- Items the family already knows it wants.
- Papers your lawyer has asked you to find.
- Rooms or storage areas with heavy volume.
- Possible auction candidates.
- Any listing, closing or filing dates.
- Who the decision-maker is and how beneficiaries will be kept informed.
Within 48 hours you receive a written, itemized quote with three scope tiers, in a format your lawyer can use. There is no pressure to book.
Typical Price Ranges
| Home | Tier | Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom condo or single floor | Partial | $2,500 to $4,500 |
| 2-3 bedroom home | Standard | $4,500 to $9,000 |
| 4+ bedrooms with auction | Large | $9,000 to $18,000 |
| Antiques, art or hoarding overlap | Premium | $12,000 to $25,000 |
Common Mistakes in the First Months
Even careful families make the same few mistakes after inheriting a home. Knowing them in advance makes them easy to avoid.
- Letting relatives take things informally. A cousin takes a lamp, a neighbor takes the patio set. Months later no one remembers who has what. Keep a simple list from day one.
- Throwing out papers. Old statements and envelopes can point to accounts, policies and investments. Keep them all until your lawyer has seen them.
- Leaving the house unattended. An empty house in winter can freeze, flood or be broken into. Keep heat on and visit regularly.
- Forgetting the insurer. Vacancy can change coverage. Call early.
- Rushing to list. A house full of contents is harder to sell, and a rushed clear can lose value and keepsakes.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before the Consultation
| Question | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Who has keys to the house? | Security and access planning |
| Is there a will, and who is the executor? | Confirms who gives instructions |
| Which items has the family already mentioned? | Protects keepsakes from day one |
| Is there a date the house must be empty by? | Sets the schedule |
| Will the house be sold, rented or kept? | Shapes how much needs clearing |
Bring your answers, even partial ones, to the consultation. They help us give you a realistic quote and schedule.
What Comes Next
Once your lawyer is comfortable with the timing, the clearing follows a simple order: keepsakes, valuables, donations, disposal, broom-clean handoff, documentation. Our executor checklist walks through each step so you can see the whole process.
You do not need to have every answer in the first weeks. You only need to protect the home, find the important papers and get good advice. The rest can wait until you are ready.