What should you keep during an estate cleanout?

What to keep during an estate cleanout

Documents

• Tax returns (last 7 years, longer for estate-related)
• Property deeds, mortgage documents
• Insurance policies (life, health, home, auto)
• Financial statements (bank, brokerage, retirement accounts)
• Birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports, Social Security cards
• Wills, trusts, power of attorney documents
• Medical records (especially recent)
• Tax documents in safe deposit box (check the box)

Jewelry and watches

Any jewelry, watches, gemstones, gold or silver items. Even items that look costume may have value — get an appraisal if uncertain.

Family photos and albums

Old photos can’t be replaced. Even disorganized boxes of photos should be kept and sorted later.

Heirlooms

Items passed down through the family, or items with known sentimental value. Wedding rings, military medals, religious items, family Bibles, handmade items, baby items kept from generation to generation.

Potentially valuable items

• Antiques, fine art, collectibles
• Coins, stamps, sports memorabilia
• Firearms (transfer per Illinois law)
• Musical instruments
• Vintage clothing or accessories
• Sterling silver flatware or serving pieces
• Old toys (especially original packaging)
• Vinyl records, sheet music, first-edition books

What to do with items where value is uncertain

Three options:

1. Get an appraisal — Aurora and Naperville have several licensed appraisers. American Society of Appraisers and International Society of Appraisers maintain directories.
2. Hold an estate sale — an estate sale company will appraise and price items, hold a sale, and route proceeds to the estate. Common for estates with substantial contents.
3. Consult an auction house — for items potentially worth more than $1,000, an auction house can evaluate and sell. Chicago has several reputable houses.

Common places valuable items hide

Before any cleanout, check:

• Safe deposit boxes (often forgotten; bank can help locate)
• Hidden compartments in furniture (dresser drawer bottoms, desk lockboxes)
• Books on shelves (cash, documents, jewelry tucked between pages)
• Coat pockets, purses, briefcases
• Inside picture frames
• Under mattresses and in bedding
• Inside kitchen canisters
• Behind drawer fronts
• In freezers and refrigerators (yes, really)
• In the attic, basement, and garage

What Junk Nurse does if we find something valuable

If during a cleanout we find something that looks valuable and wasn’t covered in the walkthrough — cash, jewelry, important documents, anything obviously meaningful — we pause and call the executor or family contact. We don’t make decisions about value without authorization. This is part of the operating standard.