estate-matters

How long does an Estate Clearance take?

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 21:06:48 GMT

When faced with an Estate, we often get asked, “How long will it take?” We are not lawyers; we are not giving legal advice; this is our experience in the seven years of estate clearance.

A typical 3-bedroom home (not a hoarder) takes us around a week to clear, clean and have ready to be sold.

Legal time frames

Once the death certificate is granted, which takes 2-3 weeks, the next step is Probate; this is needed if the Estate is valued at over $15000. Probate is a court order confirming the Will and authentic executors can legally deal with the deceased Estate. This process can take 2 – 3 months; if the person dies without a Will, the process can take much longer; please ensure you have a current Will.

Willed Items

Once Probate is granted, we take our instructions from the legal executor and make sure Will items and wishes are carried out on behalf of the Estate. For example, for a painting that was left to a relative in England, the painting would be valued, packaged, and insured by an international transport company, and then send to the beneficiary in England.

Getting the house ready to be sold

Our auctioneers or traders will take items to be sold; all proceeds go directly to the Estate. Charities will pick up donated items, and the rest will be recycled or disposed of.

We have a maintenance team that is a one-stop shop for all kinds of maintenance and repairs around your house. Our cleaning team will clean the house top to bottom, including windows, carpets and the oven.

We work with some fantastic Real Estate agents who can give you a free house appraisal.

Before we start at the Estate, we get all our ‘ducks in a row which means when we are onsite; everything happens fast. There is no going back and forwards to meet window cleaners or Real Estate people to make sure it all happens when we are there.

For more information or a free estimate, please get in touch with Rachel by mobile at 022 340 5045, email estatemattersnz@gmail.com or click the contact us button on our webpage www.estatematters.co.nz

Garages

Wed, 12 May 2021 21:02:17 GMT

One of the first things we look at when starting an Estate Clearance is the garage. You may ask why the garage first? Often, that’s where unused items end up, a lifetime of tools, and that off-cut wood collection! It is also where we find lost treasures.

You can turn those treasures into cash. In our experience, we have found an old collection of comics, valuable metal and antique tools, to name a few, which can all be turned into cash for the estate or help with your downsizing plans.

The first step is to decide what you want to keep, what you use regularly and what you will fit into your next home. To turn unwanted items into cash, you can call your local auctioneer or trader to pick up items. You can list items on Trade Me or Facebook Market place.

As the old saying goes, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

Happy 5th Birthday

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 07:23:58 GMT

Wow, five years, Phillippa and I cannot believe that Estate Matters have been in business for five years. To celebrate, we delivered 90 yummy cupcakes to our clients.

The business idea came from seeing our own families go through sorting out their loved one’s estate clearance. Over a wine (or two) the idea was born, and we backed ourselves and Estate Matters started 2015.

When stating a new business we first had to come up with a name, followed by a logo. Next was a website, social media, bank accounts, forming a company, promotion materials and finding a business mentor. We have learnt so much about running a business, making useful contacts, and developing excellent relationships with our clients.

Phillippa and I understand we are in a trusted position when dealing with loved one’s estate. We are mindful that we are there to carry out their final wishes.

Downsizing can be stressful, we love when we have helped someone through the process of downsizing. It gives us joy to see them happy once they are settled into their new home.

If you are keen to meet and learn more about Estate Matters we would love to meet for a coffee, our shout.

Thank you so much for the last five year, and we look forward to what the next five years will bring.

One Step at a Time

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 07:24:06 GMT

Moving House?, Downsizing?, Decluttering?, Stressed and Overwhelmed?. If the answer is YES, No Need to panic. We hope these tips and tricks from the Estate Matters team may be of use to you.

Make a plan

A great idea is to create a timeline and plan, which will set out key dates and your plan those areas you wish to execute your sorting. The key is to take one step at a time, to tackle one task at a time to avoid being overwhelmed and having piles of stuff all over the house. Start small. Divide your home into areas, e.g. spare bedroom, linen cupboard, kitchen, etc. and within that area, the task you wish to complete.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is a huge area to complete sorting, so break the task into more manageable chunks. Take the kitchen; for example, your timeline could be to have the kitchen completed in a week. Your job for Monday will be the pantry, Tuesday’s task will be sorting the pot cupboard etc. etc. Your sorting will be so much more successful and achievable by sticking to the plan, and you will feel a great sense of satisfaction completing the task.

Spare room storage

Another suggestion is to start sorting is the spare bedroom ( if you have one). If you are moving, and the beds are not in use, have those beds disassembled. The spare room is ideal for storing boxes and items you wish to take with you to your new home and will keep the most used living spaces clear.

Old clothes

Most often that wardrobe in the spare room contains clothes that don’t fit into your main wardrobe and may not be worn regularly. Ask your self, “when was the last time I wore this?’’’ ‘’’will I wear this in the future?” “Does it still fit?”. By all means, do keep those sentimental clothes. I have in my wardrobe; old bridesmaids dresses that I have worn. Sadly I can’t see myself wearing these again as they won’t fit, and they are no longer “fashionable”, but it gives me great pleasure in retaining these.

Keep or not to keep?

Sort the clothes into the keep and non keep piles. These non-keep clothes can be given away or donated to charity. Recently Estate Matters were involved in an estate clearance of an elderly lady. She had kept all of her late parent’s clothes in the wardrobes. These very ancient clothes were in a terrible state: mildew and moth-eaten and we were unable to donate these.

The charities are very welcoming of good quality, clean and unstained clothes and shoes, so please dispose of accordingly. After the wardrobe has been sorted, please congratulate your self, cross that task off your list.

What is the next mission?… Watch this space

Getting the right things to the right place

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 05:38:59 GMT

If you are considering downsizing, relocating or de-cluttering, you may have items that you no longer require. What to do with them? Can you find them a new home?

Here a couple of stories from Estate Matters which we hope will bring some inspiration…

Three years ago, Estate Matters were instructed from a lawyer, to clear an estate of an elderly lady who had passed away and had no immediate family.

We had been instructed to do a full house clearance. On opening her garage, we were amazed at the massive volume of unopened boxes (from a moving company which were taped up). It became clear that the ladies possessions were packed up and stored when she had to move from her residence due to the Earthquake repairs undertaken in 2011. Sadly her belongings stayed in those boxes until she died. Also discovered in the corner of the garage were a large number of paint tins, drop cloths, painting equipment which was left by a painting/decorator firm who completed the repairs in 2011. Fortunately, after investigation, we were able to track down the painting company and request they come and collect their property promptly.

We commenced the task, opening boxes and sorting items which the auctioneer would deem suitable for sale, and items that were suitable for charity. The lady was a hobby doll maker, and we found boxes and boxes of porcelain dolls, doll’s clothes, doll’s parts, all doll related items. The auctioneer was not interested; the charity indicated they would be overwhelmed with too may dolls. We were reluctant to dispose of these into the rubbish. After a few telephone calls, the Dolls Hospital Christchurch was very interested in the doll related items and happy to take them. We were so grateful that these dolls would be reused and repurposed and not added to the landfill.

Last year we had a similar case, where the lady was a fantastic soft material craftsperson, with a craft dedicated room filled with craft books, scraps of material, threads, an array of treasures. Her daughter residing in the North Island did take some exceptional crafts made by her late mother, and we contacted the Craft Guild in Christchurch where they were so delighted to take and have these beautiful items for their members. The daughter was delighted that her mother’s special things would be put to good use.

Whether was are working with clients to declutter homes for sale or working on an Estate Clearance, we love finding homes for these things and thinking outside the box. As my Grandmother used to say, Waste Not, Want Not.

Dolls Donated to the Dolls Hospital

Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 20:58:25 GMT

Experts agree that moving house can be one of the most stressful times in one’s life! up there with the loss of a loved one or losing a job. Whether it is downsizing, moving house or de-cluttering your property, we will be writing a series offering tips and tricks to assist you along the way and hope they help.

Estate Matters has been in business for five years, and our team has assisted numerous clients in Canterbury to downsize, de-clutter and move houses. We are happy to share our stories and advice.

The key is planning, and our mantra is “Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance”—the six Ps.

It can be daunting and overwhelming when moving and clients have said on many occasions “I don’t know where to start”. If you are moving from a family home with a garage, a garden shed, with outdoor furniture to a smaller dwelling, e.g. a two-bedroom unit. It is unreasonable to think “I can take all of my contents with me”. Of course, you can; however, all of your furniture and contents will not fit into your new house, and you will have boxes piled high. It will also add considerable cost ( in monetary or hours) to your eventual move.

Planning is the key. We recommend that you purchase an exercise book to write down your “to-do list” write up your plans, have the telephone numbers of your key people; friends, movers, lawyer, bank, insurance company, telephone and power company. All of your move information will be safely stored in one place, and you will have easy access to the information.

It is an excellent idea to take measurements of your new dwelling and to draw a floor and wall space plan. Your plan should include windows, distance from the floor to the bottom of the windows, as you may have a dresser with a large mirror, which may impede the window area. The plan should also include door space and storage. Does the dwelling offer pantry space? How many cupboards are there? What space is there in the wardrobe? Could you maximise the wardrobe space with added shelving? How much wall space does the dwelling offer? How much art do I have? Will it fit?. Television outlets? How may does your new home have? How many televisions do you currently own? Take your floor and wall plan and take a look at the furniture you have, and take measurements, can it be placed in my new dwelling. After some calculation, you will have a clear idea of what will fit in your new home.

In the next blog, we will give tips and tricks for dealing with “what do I do with all the stuff before I move?”.

Watch this space

Sort before you move

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 06:39:44 GMT

Moving is always hard no matter if you if you are moving into your first home, moving with a family of 5 (like myself) or if you are downsizing to something smaller.

Don’t move the problem! If you have too much stuff why take it to your new house or waste money in a storage container and think that you will get to it later.

Look at what you use every day, items you use once a year, keepsakes and historical items that mean something to you. All the other items you have to make that call do I really need them?

Think about where you are going to put them in your new home. Is there a place to store these items? Do you really need them? If you have answered no what happens next?

Sell items you don’t want, Trade Me, Facebook Market place or a local Auctioneer is a good start. Charities are always in need of good quality items, have a look at who will pick items up from you or where you closest charity shop it.

Recycle as much as you can, does a local school or kindy need those buttons you have been holiding onto?

Finally dispose of, use your local rubbish bins or take a car load to the dump. Remember to stop in the recycle part first, you will be surprised at what they will take. It keeps items out of the land fill and saves you money too.

Estate Clearance – Where to Start

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 07:36:03 GMT

When clearing a loved one’s household estate, we often get asked “what happens to all the household, where does it all go? We say sell, gift, donate, recycle then dump.

First, you need to make sure items have been allocated according to the person’s legal Will. You must have the authority from the Estate Trustee before you can start the Estate Clearance. There could items that have been Willed to people or groups. Once these have been removed and you have the legal clearance to begin you can make a start.

Ask family members or close friends if there is anything they may like. Often, it’s the sentimental items of little value that could mean the most to people. I have a little black and yellow pot which used to sit on my Nana’s dining room windowsill. My Nana told me Winnie the Poo used to put his honey in there. As I type this, I can see it on my kitchen windowsill, and it reminds me of my nana.

The next step is to sell items; there are several ways you can do this at an Auctions, on Trade Me, Facebook Market place, Stamp dealers, Antique dealers or a Trader. It depends on how much time you have to sell items, Trade Me is good but it can time to list, answer questions, emails with the buyer and pick up times. We use a mixture of Auction and Traders. Traders can offer you a buy now price and take it away then and there. Auctioneers will take items they believe they can sell; the auction may happen in a couple of weeks they pay less their commission a couple of weeks later. Have clear instructions from the Trustees on where the proceeds of the sale need to go too. At Estate Matters everything we sell on behalf of our clients goes directly to their Estate

Donate; either drop off to a local charity or they can pick up for free. Make sure what you are giving them is not rubbish otherwise it costs the charity to dump. You may have a lot of craft materials you could give to a local school or community group. Clothing Bin is great for clothing and linen. Animal charities love blankets and towels for the animals.

Recycle at the refuse centre, try and recycle as much as possible. Paints, Oils, metal, batteries and many more items can be recycled. Sometimes it’s too easy to get a skip and dump the lot but it’s not the right thing to do and we need to keep as much out of the landfill as possible.

Finally, what is left will need to be dumped, either by skip or taking it to the rubbish dump. Check your local council for dumping charges.

If the job is overwhelming, give the Girls at Estate Matters a call and we can come and give you a free estimate.

Respect

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 07:34:18 GMT

Whether you or a family member requires assistance in clearance for a deceased estate, help with moving or downsizing, or the decluttering of your home, Estate Matters is experienced and able to help.

We have been entrusted to sort through a lifetime of memories, treasures and items and we do this in a very respectful way.

Estate Matters do not “just throw items into a box” or “throw items into the rubbish”. We take time and care to carefully sort out preloved and loved items.

On many occasions, we have found lost items, including; jewellery, watches, photos, rings, cash and wallets. Often found in peculiar places. We are thrilled to reunite these to their delighted owners.

Recently we were involved in a large house clearance. The client had recently moved into retirement accommodation. The client had no immediate family, however, she wished many of her household items to be gifted to her extended family. We collated and arranged the transportation of these items, and began the process of sorting all the rest of the home, garage and shed. Items to be sold, items to be donated and items to be disposed of.

On clearing a very large overstuffed wardrobe, hidden under a great pile of clothes, a very old 1st XV rugby cap. It was discovered that our client’s late father played in this team for Otago Boys High in 1916 -1917. Inscribed inside the cap are the team’s results, both wins and losses. The extended family was so pleased that we had uncovered this treasure. The cap was reunited with the extended family and will be looked after for many years to come.

How to declutter when you are getting ready to downsize

Wed, 15 Jun 2016 07:31:47 GMT

We often get asked, “Where do I start to get ready to downsize to a smaller home?” It can be overwhelming when faced with sorting through a lifetime of possessions, knowing what to keep and how to disperse the rest. Items that are not needed or will not fit into the new house can be sold, donated or recycled.

We have worked with many clients to helps them get their home ready for sale. A well-presented house will mean it’s easier to sell and often will increase the value too.

Here are some are some of our top tips before you move:

Declutter before you move, don’t move the problem to your new home
Take note of the storage in the new property, a family home does not fit into a 2-bedroom villa
Work in one area at a time. Do one drawer/ cupboard per day, small steps each day will get you closer to moving.
What do you need? What do you use daily, weekly, monthly?
Make sure you have space for things you are going to use all the time.
Banana boxes from the supermarket good for packing and they are free!
When it comes to clothing if you haven’t worn it in the last 2 years or it doesn’t fit – donate it.
Start now, when it comes time to make the move it will not be so hard

Get help – family, friends or give the girls at Estate Matters a call and we can come out and give you a free quote.