Step 1: Confirm who is in charge

• Confirm who is the executor or administrator and that the estate has been (or will be) opened in the appropriate Connecticut probate court.
• Make sure that person has official paperwork (fiduciary appointment/letters) before authorizing major clean‑out decisions or a home sale.

Step 2: Secure the property and documents

• Change or collect keys, secure doors and windows, and check that insurance coverage on the home is active. 
• Locate and safeguard key documents: will and trust, death certificate copies, deeds, mortgage info, tax returns, bank and investment statements, insurance policies, IDs, and any lists of assets.

Step 3: Understand CT probate and inventory needs

• The executor must identify and inventory all probate assets, including real estate and personal property, and file this inventory with the Connecticut probate court within the required timeframe.
• Ask the probate attorney which items may need formal appraisal (jewelry, collections, antiques, vehicles) and avoid selling or giving away potentially valuable items until the inventory plan is clear. 

Step 4: Make a clean‑out plan and timeline

• Set a realistic target date for having the house cleared enough for repairs, photos, and showings; work backward to schedule sort days, charity pickups, and any junk‑haul or estate‑sale dates. 
• Decide who will participate (family, friends, professionals) and assign roles so the executor stays in control but is not doing everything alone. 

Step 5: Start with safety and “must‑do” tasks

• Remove perishable food, empty trash, and secure or properly dispose of medications, sharps, and obvious hazards.
• Check for water leaks, heating issues, or other problems that could damage the property while probate is pending, and arrange urgent repairs through the executor.

Step 6: Set up clear sorting categories

• Work room by room with labeled zones: keep for heirs, offer to family, donate, sell/estate sale, shred/recycle, and trash.
• Use an “undecided” box for emotionally difficult items, then schedule a specific date to revisit it so decisions do not stall the whole project.

Step 7: Prioritize important and sentimental items

• Pull out photographs, letters, small heirlooms, and family history items first so they are not accidentally discarded or mixed into donation bags.
• Have the executor coordinate a simple system (photos in a family group chat, a shared spreadsheet, or a short in‑person walkthrough) for beneficiaries to request sentimental items before donations or sales. 

Step 8: Handle valuables and legal sensitivities

• For jewelry, collections, firearms, safes, or items that may have high value, have the executor log them in the inventory and seek appraisals or legal guidance before moving or selling.
• In Connecticut, the executor is responsible for safeguarding and properly managing these assets, and can be held accountable if they are lost, undervalued, or distributed improperly. 

Step 9: Arrange sales, donations, and disposal

• Decide whether to use a local estate‑sale company, consignment, online marketplaces, or a combination; ensure sale proceeds go into the estate, not personal accounts.
• Schedule donation pickups for furniture, clothing, and household goods, and keep receipts for the estate’s records; use a junk‑removal service or dumpster for what truly cannot be reused. 

Step 10: Paperwork, photos, and digital assets

• Sort paperwork into retain (legal/financial), shred, and sentimental; keep legal and financial documents for the executor and tax preparer, and shred anything with personal data.
• Remember digital assets: list or secure access to email, online accounts, cloud photo storage, and subscription services so the executor can manage or close them properly.

Step 11: Clean, repair, and prepare for listing

• Once most contents are removed, arrange deep cleaning, lawn/yard care, and minor repairs (paint touch‑ups, loose handrails, leaky faucets) to protect value and buyer appeal. 
• Coordinate with the probate attorney and real‑estate agent so any listing or sale complies with Connecticut probate requirements and the executor’s authority.

Step 12: Final walkthrough and documentation

• Do a final walkthrough with the executor to confirm that all requested items are removed, remaining items are intentional (staging or appliances), and the property is secure. 
• Keep a simple log of what was sold, donated, or discarded and any funds received, since the executor must account to the Connecticut probate court and beneficiaries when the estate is closed.

You can find a reputable company to sell the contents of a Connecticut estate by using a few specialized directories, local research, and a structured interview process before you sign anything.

If you’re facing the challenge of selling a parent’s home in Milford, the CT shoreline, or surrounding towns, compassionate guidance is close by. With years of experience and a focus on eco-friendly, personalized service, I’m here to help your family through every detail—from our first conversation to the final closing.

Lisa Andrade, Green & ABR® Realtor
Serving Milford and Connecticut shoreline communities
Cell: 203-214-8437
Email: Lisa.Andrade2004@gmail.com

Reach out anytime for confidential, local support.