A Guide To Selling and Storing Assets After Losing a Loved One
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Losing a loved one is never easy, and handling their belongings can feel overwhelming. Whether you are the executor of the estate or a family member managing their possessions, it helps to have a plan. Knowing what to do after a death can make the process smoother and less stressful. This guide will walk you through selling valuable assets, deciding what to keep, and using self storage for sentimental or transitional items.
What Steps Do You Take After Someone Dies?
After a death in the family, managing their estate is an emotional weight and a significant responsibility. Following an estate planning checklist or other list of guidelines ensures you handle all the financial and legal things to do when someone dies. Here’s a what to do when a parent dies checklist that can help keep you on track:
- Notify family, friends, and relevant authorities.
- Review their will and legal documents.
- Handle funeral arrangements.
- Secure their home and valuables.
- Sort and organize their belongings.
- Decide what to keep, sell, or store.
What Happens to Someone’s House When They Die?
If the deceased owned a home, the process for handling it depends on whether they left a will. If they did, the executor follows the instructions in the will, which may involve selling or transferring ownership. If there is no will, the house goes through probate, and the court determines how it is distributed. During this period, securing and maintaining the home is essential to prevent damage or legal complications.
Selling Valuables and Managing Assets
After sorting through a loved one’s possessions, you may decide to sell certain items, such as antiques, jewelry, or vehicles. Here’s how to approach selling belongings after a death in the family:
- Appraise items. Get professional evaluations for any high-value assets, including jewelry, collectibles, and antiques.
- Find estate sales and auctions. Estate sales are ideal for liquidating large amounts of personal property.
- Sell online. Platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and local consignment shops can help sell items efficiently.
- Work with professionals. Partnering with an estate sale company or auction house can streamline the selling process.
Deciding What To Keep
Not everything needs to be sold or donated. Consider keeping items with sentimental value, such as family heirlooms, old letters, or photographs. When deciding, ask yourself some simple questions:
- Does this item bring me comfort?
- Is it something I will use or display?
- Does it hold significant family history or monetary value?
Determine what is worth hanging onto and what can be let go of. If space is an issue, consider renting a self storage unit to keep these items tucked away until you’re ready to make permanent decisions. Acorn Mini Storage® offers several units of several sizes so you have enough space to easily manage your loved one’s things.
Using Self Storage During the Transition
Sorting through a loved one’s belongings takes time, and self storage can provide a practical solution when space at home is limited. Renting a storage unit offers a temporary holding space, allowing you the time to process and make decisions without feeling rushed. If you have belongings to split up among multiple family members, it also gives you time for everyone to make accommodations to visit.
Having a self storage unit can also help keep your loved one’s belongings in a secure environment while preparing for an estate sale, ensuring everything remains organized and protected. Additionally, renting a climate controlled storage unit helps protect delicate items like documents and furniture against damage due to outdoor weather.
Rent Self Storage in Minnesota From Acorn Mini Storage®
There are many things to do after a death, and managing a loved one’s belongings is one of the most challenging. Using an estate planning checklist and taking it step by step can make the process less overwhelming. Whether selling valuables, keeping sentimental items, or utilizing self storage as a holding ground for your belongings, making informed decisions will help you honor your loved one while easing the burden on yourself and your family.
If you need a secure place to store your loved one’s belongings, Acorn Mini Storage® offers clean, climate controlled storage units in Minneapolis and throughout the state to help during this difficult time. Contact us or browse our FAQ and storage tips page today to find the right storage solution for your needs.
