The short answer
If the house is part of your parent's estate, its tax and insurance can be paid from the estate while the estate is open. The executor manages that, if there is one, and the rules vary by state.
Tell the home insurer that nobody lives there. Some policies stop or limit coverage once a house has been empty for a set number of days.
A property tax break your parent had, such as a homestead or senior exemption, can end with them. Tell the county tax office or assessor of the death, and ask what changes.
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
- Tell the home insurer the house is empty, and ask what changes.
- Ask about vacancy coverage, and get the answer in writing.
- Tell the county tax office or assessor of the death.
- Ask whether any exemption your parent had now ends.
- Keep the utilities the house needs, after asking the insurer what it expects.
- Record every payment for the estate, and keep each receipt.
What can wait
- Closing the utilities, until the house is sold or empty for good.
- Deciding whether to keep, sell or rent. Keep, sell or rent? sets out each one.
- Cutting back services, until you know what the insurer and any agent need.
Who can help
The home insurer can tell you what the policy covers while the house is empty. The county tax office, assessor or property appraiser can tell you which exemptions end.
The executor, or the probate court clerk if nobody has been appointed, can tell you who pays from the estate. A probate lawyer can answer the rest.
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 3. 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.
- How do I protect myself personally? Book 2, Being in Charge
- When can I hand out the inheritance? Book 2, Being in Charge
- What goes in the estate bank account? Book 2, Being in Charge
- What do I do about the house, pets, car and mail right now? Book 1, The First Month
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.