You’ve Been Named Executor. First, Take a Breath.
Maybe the call came late at night. Maybe you'd known for months that this day was coming. Either way, you're here now: grieving someone you love and holding a list of responsibilities you never asked for.
If you've been named executor of a loved one's estate, I want you to hear this first. You don't have to figure it all out today, and you don't have to do it alone.
Give yourself a moment
There is very little about settling an estate that needs to happen this week. The house will still be there. The china cabinet will still be there. Before you start making decisions, give yourself time to grieve, to sit with your family and to remember the person who made that house a home.
Find your people
The best thing you can do early on is build a small, trusted team:
A probate attorney. Georgia has its own rules for settling an estate, and a good attorney will walk you through every step in plain language. We often refer families to Jason McCart at McCart Law Firm (770.740.4855), who is wonderful with families in this season.
A real estate agent who understands estates. Selling a parent's home is not like selling your own. It helps to work with someone who knows how to be patient with the process and gentle with the memories.
An estate sale company you trust. This is where we come in. We help with everything inside the home, so you can focus on your family.
Protect the home while you decide
If the house will sit empty for a while, keep the utilities on, lock it up and have someone check on it regularly. (We'll share why this matters so much in another post. It's the most heartbreaking mistake we see.)
Keep the things that matter most
Before anything is sold, walk through the home with your family and set aside what you want to keep. Photos, letters, recipe cards, the quilt Grandma made. Move those keepsakes into one room or area that can be closed off, so nothing precious gets mixed in with the sale.
You're not alone in this
At Top Shelf & Co., we've walked alongside many families in Walton, Newton, Rockdale and Gwinnett Counties during exactly this moment. We'll help you understand your options, answer your questions honestly and take one big job off your plate.
When you're ready, and not a minute before, give us a call at 678.614.1869 or visit topshelfandco.com. We'd be honored to help.
