How to Manage a Deceased Estate Clean Up

Losing a loved one can be incredibly difficult, and if you’re tasked with cleaning up their belongings, can carry even more responsibility and weight. At Jim’s Skip Bins, we understand that this is a challenging time, and offer rubbish removal and dedicated services to help take some of the pressure off. We’ve assisted countless customers and families with this job in the past, and can help you get through the process, too.

Deceased estate clean ups can be complicated, so read through our guide on how to manage one before you get started.

What is a deceased estate clean up?

When someone passes away, the deceased estate refers to their home or dwelling and the things they’ve left behind. At some point, these need to be cleaned up and cleared out entirely so that the property can be sold or re-leased. This can be an emotional and overwhelming task, made even more difficult if you’re not entirely sure how to go about the process. There are a few legalities around deceased estate clean ups, including who takes on the responsibility and when they can start. If you’re unsure about the estate of a loved one, the best way to find out about it is through their will or a legal representative.

Cleaning out a parents home after death or handling an estate clean out of a loved one can be a sizable task, and that’s where we at Jim’s Skip Bins can help. Our skip bins are available for hire in a variety of sizes, and include rubbish disposal services, leaving you one less thing to tackle on your own.

How to Approach a Deceased Estate Clean Up

Before you book a skip bin and start cleaning things up, there are few things you need to do first.

Talk to an estate or probate lawyer

The first step is to contact a local probate lawyer or estate planning specialist to help you navigate the legal process. If you’ve been appointed as the executor of a deceased estate, you’ll probably have a few more responsibilities, too. Your legal contact will be able to tell you more about this step, so speak to them for further guidance.

Secure the home

Once you get the all-clear to attend the home, one of the most important things to do is to ensure the property is secure, especially if there are still valuables inside. If there are alarm systems in place, check that they’re working, and also confirm that you have the correct codes, just in case you need them later!

Redirect the decedent’s mail

You may be entitled to receive free mail redirection if a loved one has passed away. This allows you to continue receiving their mail at another address, like your own home or a PO Box. This will ensure you receive any bills or correspondence that need action in a timely manner.

Set a cleaning date

By planning the clean up in advance, you’ll have plenty of time to get organised. You can book your skip bin, arrange any other services you may need, and enlist the help of friends or family to tidy alongside you. You can also gather tools and supplies like bin bags, labels, and cleaning products.

Clearing Out

When it comes to how to empty a house after death, breaking the process up into stages can make it more manageable.

Make in inventory

When you’re in charge of house cleaning after a death, there’s a high chance that you’ll come across quite a lot of items, and making an inventory is a good way to know what you’re working with. This makes it easier to track what’s included in the deceased estate and make decisions about what to do with the items. Start with the most obvious places and work your way up from there. For example, write down each room’s contents, beginning with the kitchen and living areas, and working your way through the entire home. Don’t forget items outside the house, including the garage or shed, and any storage lockers or spaces rented.

You may want to dispose of rubbish or worn-out items as you go, but keep a record of what you throw out before placing them in your skip bin. If you’re planning to sell items or have them valued, you can also take pictures at this point.

Find the essential paperwork

You’ve probably got lots of important documents scattered around your house. Birth certificate? Check. Marriage licence? Check. Insurance policy? Check. Passport? Check. When a loved one passes away, you can be sure that their important paperwork will also be in need of some organising. Look in the home for these important documents in particular:

• Will
• Banking and financial statements
• Bills and debts
• Insurance policy documents

Sort belongings

With so much to organise and tidy, a sorting system will be a big help in getting the job done. There are four main categories we suggest people use when sorting; keep, sell, donate, and throw away. Anything in the throw away pile can be put straight in the skip bin to get it out of your way. Keep a record of what’s thrown out, though, in case anyone has questions about the estate management. For a deceased estate, you may want to add a couple more categories for items that you’re not sure the value of, or anything that requires a joint decision before throwing away.

When the home is free from rubbish and belongings, you can move onto deep cleaning and the next steps of the journey.

Hire a Skip Bin

At Jim’s Skip Bins, we have plenty of skip bin sizes available, so you can choose the right one for you. Get in touch with us today to speak with a member of our friendly team who can advise you on the size and skip bin pricing ahead of your deceased estate clean up.