The short answer
Usually less than people hope. Some adult children describe being surprised by how little a household brings. For anything that might be valuable, an appraiser can tell you what it's worth.
If you hire an estate sale company, read the contract for its fees, who sets the prices, what records you'll get and when you'll be paid. Whether a donation brings anyone a tax deduction depends on the IRS rules. Ask the estate's tax preparer before giving away anything of value.
This chapter explains how things usually work in the United States. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and the rules where you live may differ. Before you act on anything here, check it with one of the people named at the end of the chapter.
What to do
- Ask the executor, if there is one, before anything is sold or given away.
- Take papers and photos out of the house before any sale.
- Set aside anything that might be worth something for an appraiser to see.
- Get more than one estate sale company's contract, and compare them.
- Ask how and when you'll be paid, and get it written into the contract.
- Get a receipt for every donation.
- Ask the motor vehicles office how to transfer the car's title.
What can wait
- Selling sentimental items. They can stay boxed until you know what you want.
- Selling the car, until you know which form your parent's state uses and who signs it.
Who can help
An appraiser can value what might be worth something. The estate's tax preparer can answer the questions about donations and tax.
The attorney general's office in the state where the sale is held is one place to ask about an estate sale company. The motor vehicles office in your parent's state handles the car's title.
The rules, phone numbers and web addresses in this book were checked against the agencies’, courts’ and organizations’ own pages in October 2026. Where a rule differs by state, the book names one state as an example. Check anything you rely on with the office itself.
From Book 4: Their House
This page has the short answer and the closing lists from chapter 8. The full chapter explains, in plain words, what exists, what to ask, and who can answer. The book covers months 3 to 15 after the death.
Questions near this one
Other questions on related subjects, from this book and the others.
- What is the tax on selling an inherited house? Book 4, Their House
- What do I do about the house, pets, car and mail right now? Book 1, The First Month
- When can I hand out the inheritance? Book 2, Being in Charge
- How do I clear a house in stages? Book 4, Their House
Hear when Their House is out
A short note when each book is out. Five or six emails a year at most. You can unsubscribe whenever you like.