John Lane Law

Planning the Estate Sale - John M. Lane Law, PLLC

"Inheriting an estate can be an emotional journey, especially if you had a close relationship with the person whose estate you are settling or if you're planning an estate sale due to divorce or foreclosure."

WCP's recent post, "4 tips for dealing with the emotional side of estate sale planning," offers some helpful ways to stay strong and make wise decisions as you work through the process of preparing for an estate sale.

Get advice. Don't take on this responsibility alone. As you begin the process of selling the contents of an estate, find yourself a support system. This can include members of your family, friends, and experts (like an estate planning attorney). These folks can provide you with valuable advice, and you may feel more comfortable when you've considered input from others. Given that this is an extremely emotional experience, you might also want to talk with a member of the clergy or a counselor as you go through the steps of preparing for the estate sale.

Get ready for memories. There can be times of grief that will pop up unexpectedly, and in some instances, simply seeing certain items will trigger special memories. Sorting through some household items might appear to be a simple and unemotional task. However, it can be tough when you come across something that you associate with a memorable occasion. Be prepared to find items that may cause a moment of pain. Even so, try to balance this with happy memories when you can. While this isn't always easy, concentrating on positive feelings can be a critical part of staying strong throughout the process.

Get ready to take your time. Although it may not be possible, try not to rush through the planning stages for the estate sale. Make wise decisions on what to sell, what to keep, and what to donate—as you want to avoid any regrets in the future. Preparing for an estate sale offers a measure of closure, but this process can also cultivate feelings of finality. Allow yourself time and space to consider your options to reduce the emotional burden.

Get help. An estate sale service can eliminate much of the emotional pressure that comes from the estate sale process. This way you don't have to focus on details that aren't really your area of expertise, such as pricing, staging, and scheduling. This will let you have the freedom to channel your energy into emotional healing. In addition, this professional assistance can lessen the burden of decision making, which can be helpful.

Contact John M. Lane Law, PLLC to discover the Simplified Solution to your estate planning needs. Everyone has an estate, no matter how large or small, complex or simple.  For more information about how we can help you, visit our website at www.JohnLaneLaw.com.

Reference: WCPO (May 9, 2016) "4 tips for dealing with the emotional side of estate sale planning"

Tips on Conducting a Stress-Free Estate Sale

“Choosing a trusted estate sales professional should not be taken lightly.”

Estate sales come at a time when families are at a crossroads resulting from one of the dreaded three D’s: death, divorce, and downsizing. For many, the task of organizing items acquired over a lifetime can be overwhelming, especially when coupled with having to determine each item’s value. It’s a task that can take novices not weeks but months, which is why many people enlist the help of professional estate sale planners.

The Casper Journal’s recent article, “Professionals can ease burden of planning estate sale,” provides some good advice on the subject.

Selecting a reputable estate sales professional is important. These are your possessions, and many of them are valuable.

When finding an estate sales person, ask your family, friends, and business professionals for recommendations. Your estate planning attorney may have some very good references.

Next, look into their business histories and customer reviews at the Better Business Bureau’s website, and conduct a search online to see what type of articles or reviews of their services have been posted.

You should then choose a few and interview these professionals in person before deciding on the company you want to engage. Ask them about their credentials, certifications, and education in the area of estate sales. Also, make sure that they are insured and bonded.

Ask for the names of three or four references. Contact them to find out about their experiences working with the company and whether or not they would hire them again.

Before signing the contract, make sure you understand it, and consider asking your attorney to review it for you. Just so there are no surprises, you’ll want to find out the following from the estate sales business you plan to use:

• Does the company charge a flat fee or commission?
• What is their commission and are there additional fees?
• What services are included?
• What do you need to prepare for the sale?
• Is there an extra charge to clean before and after the sale?
• How much time will they need to get the estate ready for the sale?
• How are sales recorded?
• Can the family attend?
• How are discounts or negotiations handled?
• What do they do with stuff that doesn’t sell?

Ask these questions well in advance so you’re totally prepared when the time comes to have an estate sale.

Contact John M. Lane Law, PLLC to discover the Simplified Solution to your estate planning needs. For more information about how we can help you, visit our website at www.JohnLaneLaw.com.

Reference: The Casper Journal (November 11, 2015) “Professionals can ease burden of planning estate sale”