When a loved one has passed away, there are many tasks that need to be carried out, and this can be difficult as you will be grieving as well. However, it is important that these tasks are completed, otherwise the entire probate process might be delayed, and this will cause even more stress for everyone involved.
One of the jobs that may need to be completed is to arrange a probate house cleaning and clearance. If the deceased person lived alone, for example, and if their property either needs to be sold or it was rented and therefore the landlord will require it back, then the furniture, paperwork, and other possessions within the property will need to be taken out, and in some cases disposed of.
This is a potentially very big job, and it is difficult to do for a number of reasons. Probate house cleaning is emotional for one thing, as you will find all kinds of items that your family member or friend had in their home that will bring back memories. It also can take some time, and this will be hard if you have a job or a family (or both) that need your full attention. Therefore, it is often best to leave probate house cleaning to a professional company. They will be able to clear the property quickly and efficiently, and they will dispose of any rubbish responsibly as long as you choose the right company.
As for when to arrange this, ideally it should be done at the start of the process, especially if the rent is no longer being paid and the landlord requires the property returned to them. In most cases, assuming that the estate falls below the inheritance tax threshold (currently £325,000, or £650,000 if a couple owned the property and one has died previously, passing their IHT threshold to their spouse), then the property can be cleared before probate has been granted. However, if items are being sold then a record should be kept just in case HMRC or beneficiaries want to know.
If the estate is over the IHT threshold, or even if you think it might be close to it, then hiring a probate house cleaning company should wait until a full estate valuation has been carried out. If there is a problem then it is the executor who will be personally responsible, and they may have to pay a large fine, pay the difference in the inheritance tax amount, or pay beneficiaries if items have been sold that they would have inherited.
If you are an executor, it is always wise to check the will and the wishes of the deceased before selling or throwing any items away.
If you would like information on Probate House Cleaning, please get in touch.