Amid the pain and grief of losing someone you love, you might be burdened with the task of the estate cleanup. While this process can understandably cause some stress, there are steps you can take to make it easier for everyone involved. Before you begin, keep these key tips in mind.

7 Estate Cleanup Tips

1. Locate Important Financial Documents

Before you make any arrangements, you will need to locate key documents, including the will, trust, life insurance policies, property deeds, recent bank statements, stock certificates, and tax returns. Take time to search every cupboard, jacket, and drawer for the vital information you need.

2. Work Closely With Family Members

Dividing up your loved one’s belongings might be difficult. To streamline the process, request that family members make a list of items they would like from the estate. If some items overlap, try to civilly work it out among one another.

3. Consider Legal Counsel 

If you cannot resolve matters on your own, you might need to enlist legal counsel. An outside mediator or estate lawyer can help reduce tension and facilitate the arrival of a fair agreement.

4. Keep Your Eye Out for Photos & Memorabilia

During the estate cleanup, look out for photos, memorabilia, and other heartfelt keepsakes that you might want to treasure or pass down for generations to come. While these items might possess little monetary value, they are invaluable to loved ones. 

5. Donate Clothing

Donate any items you do not want to hang on to and cannot sell, such as clothing. While some vintage and designer pieces can sell at decent prices, most clothing has little resale value. Instead, donate these to those who need them.

6. Hire an Appraiser

If the estate contains various furniture, jewelry, and antiques, you can greatly benefit from enlisting an estate appraiser. A professional can help you determine the precise value of every item. 

7. Enlist an Estate Cleanout Service

Estate cleanups can be physically and mentally overwhelming. To reduce stress and save time, consider enlisting a qualified estate cleanout service to help haul items and mitigate your load.  

For top quality estate cleanout services in the Chicago, IL, area, look no further than Red’s Hauling Service. The premier team has over two decades years of experience making estate cleanups simpler and stress-free. To learn more about the seasoned estate and junk removal service, visit their website or call (773) 616-0979 today.