Securing a Deceased’s Home: Immediate Steps & Valuables Guide

You’ve just lost someone. The last thing on your mind is their house, but you’re now responsible for it. It feels like an impossible task when you’re already going through so much, but listen, you’ve got this.

The reality is, a home can become really vulnerable right after a death. Things can get stolen or damaged, and you’re the one who has to make sure that doesn’t happen. This is a step-by-step guide to protect what’s theirs. It’s all about creating a clear plan, so you can worry less and focus on what really matters right now.

We’ll talk about:

• Securing the home.
• Handling everything from mail to money.
• What to do if you’re trying to manage this from a distance.

The First 24 Hours: Lock It Down

This first step is the most critical. You’ve got to act fast. I know, it sounds awful, but an empty house is a magnet for people with bad intentions. Public death notices can practically be an invitation for thieves. You don’t want anyone walking in and helping themselves to your loved one’s things while you’re trying to grieve or plan a service.

The person responsible for the estate—that’s the executor, or an administrator if there’s no will—is legally on the hook for protecting everything inside, so a quick response is super important.

First things first, physically check every single door and window. Seriously, walk around the whole house. Make sure all the doors, including the sliding glass ones and the garage door, are locked. Check all the windows, too. A little trick? Put a few lights on a timer to make it look like someone’s still living there.

The person who has the legal right to do all this is the executor named in the will. If that’s you, you’ve got the authority. If not, it’s best to talk to the executor or a close family member to avoid any headaches later.

And one of the smartest things you can do right away is change the locks. You just never know who might have a key—maybe an old neighbor, a caregiver, or a friend. Changing the locks guarantees that only people you trust can get inside. It’s a simple step that can save a lot of family drama down the road.

What’s Inside? Protecting Valuables and Documents

Once the outside is secure, it’s time to deal with all the stuff. This part is a bit like a treasure hunt, but with really important papers and valuable items.

You need to create an inventory. This list is for insurance and for the legal side of things, but it’s also just good for your peace of mind. Go room by room and jot down everything that has significant value—jewelry, art, antiques, electronics, you name it. Don’t take anything out of the house unless it’s to put it in an even more secure spot, like a safety deposit box. And if you do move things, just be transparent and let other family members know where they are.

Next, you have to find all the important paperwork. This is crucial for settling the estate. We have a whole guide on locating important documents after a death: will, insurance, pre-arrangements, but a good place to start is their desk, a filing cabinet, or a home safe.

You’re looking for things like:

• The will or any trust documents.
• Statements for bank accounts and investments.
• Life insurance policies.
• Real estate deeds and car titles.
• Their tax returns from the last few years.

Gather all of it and keep it in one safe place. You’re going to need a few certified copies of the death certificate for all of this, by the way.

It’s also a really good idea to take photos or even a video of everything in the house. It’s an easy way to create a record of what was there, which can be super helpful for insurance claims and just for making sure there are no arguments between family members later on.

Don’t forget to find and secure all their financial items, too. Get ahold of their credit cards and call the companies to let them know what’s happened. Secure any checkbooks, and alert their banks so accounts can be frozen to prevent fraud.

The Mail and Other Piles of Paper

An overflowing mailbox is another giveaway that a house is empty. So, dealing with the mail is a must-do.

As the executor, you can go to the post office and fill out a change-of-address form to have their mail forwarded to you. It keeps the mailbox empty and ensures you get important bills and statements. If you’d rather not, you can simply write “Deceased, Return to Sender” on mail and pop it back in the box.

Speaking of bills, you’ll need to go through everything—mail and old records—to find out what needs to be paid. Things like utility bills, mortgage payments, and credit card statements. Paying these on time keeps everything running smoothly and protects the property.

You should also check their bank and credit card statements to see what subscriptions they had. You’d be surprised how many things people have on autopay. Magazines, streaming services, even meal delivery kits. Just contact each company to cancel the service. They’ll probably ask for a death certificate, so have one ready.

Oh, and a quick tip: you can sign the deceased person up for the Deceased Do Not Contact List to reduce the junk mail. It’s a sad reality that scammers sometimes target the recently deceased, so handling their mail quickly can also help prevent identity theft.

The Bigger Stuff: Cars, Guns, and More

Beyond the house itself, there are other big-ticket items you’ll need to deal with.

• Cars: Find all the car keys and store them somewhere safe. Make sure the vehicles are in a locked garage or a secure spot. Contact the DMV to figure out how to transfer the vehicle’s title. This process is different in every state, but it will definitely require a death certificate.
• Boats or RVs: These need to be secured, too. Find the titles and keys and make sure they’re in a safe place. Double-check the insurance to ensure they’re covered.
• Firearms: If you find any guns, they must be handled with extreme care. The executor should put them in a locked safe. If you’re not comfortable with that, you can have a licensed firearms dealer store them for you. Remember, transferring a gun to a beneficiary has to follow federal and state laws, which almost always means a background check.

When You’re Not There to Help

What if you’re an out-of-town executor? It adds another layer of stress, but it’s not impossible.

• You can ask a trusted friend or neighbor to check on the house, pick up mail, and just generally keep an eye on things.
• You can even let the local police department know the house will be vacant, and they can do extra drive-bys.
• This is also a great time to lean on a professional. An estate attorney can be a lifesaver, providing legal guidance and connecting you with people in the area who can help.

Just one final legal note: A power of attorney becomes invalid the moment someone dies. It’s over. From that point on, only the executor or a court-appointed administrator has the legal authority to manage things. So your very first step, if you’re the executor, is to file the will with the probate court to get that formal appointment. You can get more info on that in our guide on getting a legal pronouncement of death & understanding the death certificate.

To Sum It All Up

Look, dealing with all of this while you’re grieving is just… a lot. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or take a break when you need one. We’ve got more resources that might help, like our guide on grief support & resources: coping with loss and finding healing. And if you’re concerned about the financial side of things, we have an article on funeral costs & financing: navigating expenses and payment options.

By following a plan like this, you’re not just taking care of a house. You’re honoring your loved one’s legacy and giving yourself one less thing to worry about during an incredibly hard time. You’re doing a great job.