Part 2 of a 3-Part Series
Estate Safety Considerations
Last week, we began a three series about important factors to consider in estate planning after losing someone you love to death. Click here to read part one. This entry, the second in the series, covers ways to make sure the estate remains safe.
Inspect Safety of Your Loved One’s Home
- Walk around the home to check points of entry. Check locks and look for maintenance issues. Notify the police department if the home will be vacant so police can patrol the area more frequently.
- Change the locks. Change the locks to ensure that no one such as neighbors, service providers (maids, dog walkers, etc.), and even family members enter the home. This keeps premature property removal at bay.
- Remove valuables from the home and store them in a secure place. Keep jewelry, cash, works of art, furs, and other especially valuable property should in a safe place until estate or trust administration. Check on the insurance coverage for these items.
- Secure vehicles. Lock cars. Refrain from allowing people to drive the car. Check the odometer to determine the mileage at the time your loved one passed away. If you plan to park the car on the street or in a driveway? If so, notify the police to keep a closer eye on it. Maintain insurance on the car.
- Maintain the home and yard. Continue lawn care and general home maintenance to ensure that the house does not become an eyesore and a target for thieves.
- Discontinue unnecessary services and hire new personnel. If your deceased loved one had domestic help, security guards, or assistants that are no longer needed, stop the services after checking any contracts or written agreements. If a beneficiary or dependent now needs the help of an assistant or maid, hire the necessary workers to ensure they receive the proper care.
Fool Burglars to Keep the Home Safe
- Leave the heat or air conditioning on. To prevent any problems that may arise as a result of very high or very low temperatures, it is important to continue to heat and cool the home. In addition, if the home is vacant during cold winter months, a faucet should be turned on to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
- If required, alert local officials of the vacant home. In some jurisdictions, a higher tax rate is applied to vacant homes, so in those places it is important to notify the city if the home is vacant and part of an estate administration.
Check back next week, when we will conclude this 3–part series.
About Skvarna Law Firm in Glendora and Upland, California
A skilled attorney can assist with your estate plan. Contact us today to learn about your options (909) 608-7671. We operate offices in Glendora and Upland, California. We provide legal services for individuals living in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside Counties. This includes the cities of Upland, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Colton, Rialto, Chino, Chino Hills, Glendora, Claremont, Montclair, Pomona, La Verne, San Dimas, Azusa, Covina, West Covina, Diamond Bar, Walnut, La Puente, Corona, Norco & Mira Loma. Visit SkvarnaLaw.com to learn more.
