Part 1 of a 2-Part Series about How to Manage a Hoarder’s Estate
More than just being messy (or buying a six-month supply of toilet paper), hoarding is actually a mental disorder. The condition causes people to struggle to discard items, regardless of their value. Hoarders also experience severe distress even at the thought of throwing something away. If a hoarder names you as the personal representative of their estate, you could struggle with the task. If a deceased person hoarded, filling their house from floor to ceiling, what would you do? Hoarder’s estates present problems.
Consider whether to accept the job of managing a hoarder’s estate
Do you live in another city or have a busy job or many family responsibilities? If so, think twice about administering a hoarder’s estate. Responsibilities include cleaning out the home, locating money and property, and getting it ready for transfer or sale. All of this involves a substantial amount of time and effort. Were you formally appointed as the personal representative of an estate? If so, you could renounce the role. Just complete a form. Then, file it in the probate court designated to handle the case. Also, notify the beneficiaries or heirs of the estate. Did you already accept the role? If so, you must petition the court for removal to resign from the role.
Identify the deceased person’s money and property
First, check to see whether the will specifies bequests. Make sure to preserve and secure those items. Then, begin the process of sifting through all of the hoarder’s other property to find items of value. Keep an inventory of any cash or valuables you locate.
Resist the temptation to toss it all out
Although much of what makes up a hoarder’s estate may appear to be trash, there may be valuable items hidden in the midst of what seems to be rubbish or in other unlikely places. Kristin Bergfeld, founder of Bergfeld’s Estate Clearance Service in New York, said that she has located jewelry sewn in the hems of clothing, diamonds wrapped in tissues, and valuable rare books hidden under towels.
Enlist help with the hoarder’s estate
In the case of someone who was simply a mild hoarder or packrat, it may be worthwhile to hire a professional cleaning crew. In more extreme cases, in which there are environmental hazards such as mold or vermin, an environmental remediation company may need to be hired before any further work can be done.
Note: It may be necessary to obtain permission from the court if the expense for the cleanup is out of the ordinary. In some extreme cases, the cleanup may take weeks or even months and involve substantial expense. The court should be given a reasonable estimate and an itemized list of the work that must be done, and it may be prudent to take before and after photographs of the home and its contents.
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