Hire an estate sale company

An estate sale company can help you make more money for your loved one’s personal belongings while taking the work off of your hands.

property, settling affairsJennifer GoodNovember 11, 2019physical property, financial and propertyComment

Cancel or change person on vehicle insurance policies

You will need to switch the vehicle insurance to list the person now owning the vehicle as the "named insured" over if someone is keeping the vehicle. You usually have 30 days to do this. If there is not a second person on the policy, call the insurance company right away as other drivers may not be covered. Usually, the executor is covered when driving the car for maintenance purposes, but that is all.

Pay property tax bills (if paid separately and not included in home mortgage), and file for an exemption if needed

If there is a mortgage, the lender may pay the property taxes. If the deceased person was paying property taxes, the estate will need to keep paying property tax bills. If payments stop, the taxing authority may place a lien on the property and eventually foreclose. However, some states give exemptions after a death and no one can force you to pay if you didn't own the home or sign the loan.

property, settling affairsJennifer GoodOctober 1, 2019real estate, physical property, finance, financial and propertyComment

Arrange to pay mortgage regularly, or for the sale of the house

The home is often the largest asset and burden to deal with. Generally, you can keep the home and figure out what to do about the mortgage or sell the home.

property, settling affairsJennifer GoodOctober 1, 2019real estate, physical property, financial and propertyComment

Arrange for distribution/sale of personal property

Going through the deceased's personal property and belongings can emotionally difficult and cause family conflict, but it can also be a time to share memories and find ways to remember the deceased.

property, settling affairsJennifer GoodOctober 1, 2019physical property, financial and propertyComment

Transfer ownership of shared property

Property held previously jointly can be transferred to the surviving person.

property, legal, settling affairsJennifer GoodSeptember 30, 2019real estate, physical property, legal, financial and propertyComment

Transfer home ownership

You will need to redo the deed to the house, even if it is jointly owned and only one owner of the property has passed away.

property, settling affairsJennifer GoodSeptember 30, 2019real estate, physical property, financial and propertyComment

Pay any storage unit bills and clean out storage unit

You need to continue to pay for the storage unit or clean it out and close it. Otherwise, there is a chance all of the property in it could be taken

property, settling affairsJennifer GoodSeptember 28, 2019physical property, financial and propertyComment

Notify landlord or home

If the deceased person was the only one living in the rental, you will want to negotiate the right amount of time to get all of the belongings out while grieving, but avoid paying extra rent. Depending on the lease, a written notice of death may give 30-day notice on the lease or not affect the lease. However, even if the lease is not ended by the death, most landlords will be willing to work with you to end the lease sooner so that they can get the unit rented sooner and you don't have to pay for an empty unit. Landlords may also help you protect the property.

property, settling affairsJennifer GoodFebruary 17, 2016physical property, financial and propertyComment

Peacefully