Clearing somebody's home following a death can be very different from an ordinary house clearance.
There may be decades of belongings inside the property. Some have financial value, some have sentimental importance and others may be needed as part of administering the estate.
The temptation can be to begin sorting immediately.
Usually, a more measured approach is better.
Before clearing anything, understand what needs to remain
The first stage is not removal.
It is deciding what must not be removed.
Important paperwork may still be inside the property, including financial records, insurance documents, correspondence, certificates, property information and other documents relevant to the estate.
Family members may also want photographs, letters or personal possessions that have little monetary value but considerable sentimental importance.
These items are much easier to identify before the clearance starts than afterwards.
Do not assume old means valuable, or worthless
A probate property can contain a very broad mixture of possessions.
An impressive-looking piece of furniture may have limited commercial value, while something sitting unnoticed in a drawer may be considerably more interesting.
This is why we believe the contents should be looked at as a whole before removal begins.
Items worth considering can include paintings, jewellery, silver, ceramics, clocks, watches, coins, furniture, books, collectables and unusual decorative objects.
Not every old object is valuable.
The important point is that the decision should be informed rather than accidental. Our page on antiques and valuations describes what may deserve closer attention.
Separate personal possessions from the clearance
Where several beneficiaries or family members are involved, it can help to identify items being retained before arranging the main clearance.
This might include photographs, family documents, jewellery, furniture or other possessions specifically requested by relatives.
Anything that is staying in the property should ideally be marked or separated clearly.
That significantly reduces the possibility of misunderstandings later.
Decide whether any contents require specialist advice
Some properties contain items that warrant a specialist valuation or auctioneer's opinion.
That does not mean every household object needs to be professionally valued.
It simply means that potentially significant items should be identified before the remainder of the property is treated as clearance.
Our role is to recognise where something deserves a closer look and recommend an appropriate next step where necessary.
What happens during a probate house clearance?
Once the scope has been agreed, the clearance itself should be relatively straightforward.
The areas being cleared are confirmed, access arrangements are agreed and the different categories of contents can then be dealt with appropriately.
Reusable possessions should be separated where practical. Materials suitable for recycling should follow the relevant route. Only the remainder should be treated as waste.
If family members or executors are not local to Devon, arrangements can also be made around access to the property.
Depending on the circumstances, that may involve an estate agent, solicitor or other representative. See our probate clearance services in Devon for more about the practical process.
Do executors need to be present?
Not necessarily.
Many estates involve executors who live some distance from the property.
What matters is that instructions are clear and that whoever is carrying out the clearance knows exactly what has been agreed.
Photographs and clear communication can be particularly useful when the person responsible for the estate cannot attend in person.
When should the clearance take place?
That depends on the circumstances of the estate.
The important thing is not to clear the property prematurely when documents, valuables or possessions required by the family have not yet been identified.
Once the appropriate decisions have been made, the practical clearance can then be scheduled around the administration or sale of the property.
Preparing the property for sale
One common reason for arranging a probate clearance is to prepare a property for an estate agent, sale or handover.
A well-managed clearance leaves the house in a much simpler condition for the next stage.
Furniture and possessions have been dealt with, garages and outbuildings can be included where agreed, and everyone involved knows the clearance has been completed.
A more considered approach
Probate house clearance is partly a logistical task.
But it is also about handling somebody's possessions properly.
At Devon House Clearances, our approach is therefore to assess first and clear second.
We work throughout Devon with families, executors and professional representatives who need a clear and practical route through the process.