What Do We Do With Everything My Parents Don't Take?

Your parents have decided what they're taking to their next home. Now what do you do with everything else?

You may still be looking at a house full of furniture, closets full of clothes, a garage full of tools, and a basement full of boxes.

And you're probably wondering where to begin.

The good news is that you don't have to handle everything yourself, and you don't have to do it all at once. We have been helping families throughout Littleton and the South Denver Metro area for many years, and we understand how overwhelming this process can feel.

But you do need a plan.

In my previous blog, What Should My Parents Keep When They Downsize, I talked about helping your parents decide what they truly want to take with them to their next home. Once those decisions have been made, the next question is what to do with everything that's left behind.

And this is where having a plan can make a big difference. There may be things other family members would love to have, items worth selling, belongings that can be donated, and things that simply need to be cleared out.

1. Start with family members

Before you start selling or donating anything, ask your parents if there are belongings they'd like to offer to family members.

Maybe there's a piece of furniture they'd like a grandchild to have. Maybe there are photographs, family keepsakes, or dishes they'd like to pass along.

Let your parents make those decisions first.

Then ask family members what they would actually like to have.

And here's something worth remembering: Just because something has been in the family for generations doesn't mean the next generation has room for it.

Your parents may be disappointed when someone doesn't want the china cabinet or dining room set.

Try to help them understand that it doesn't mean those items aren't appreciated. It may simply mean they don't fit into someone else's home or lifestyle.

Once everyone has made their choices, set a reasonable date for picking things up.

2. Decide what might be worth selling

Not everything your parents are leaving behind needs to be donated or thrown away.

There may be furniture, antiques, tools, collectibles, or other items that have resale value.

Depending on how much there is, you might consider an estate sale company.

These companies can evaluate items, organize a sale, and handle much of the work.

You can also consider consignment shops or selling individual items online.

Just be prepared for something that can be difficult for your parents to hear.

What they paid for something years ago may have very little to do with what someone is willing to pay for it today.

That doesn't take away from its sentimental value, but it may affect how you decide to handle it.

3. Find good homes for things that can be donated

There may be plenty of things your parents no longer need that someone else could use.

Clothing, furniture, kitchen items, books, and household goods may be welcomed by charitable organizations.

Some organizations even offer pickup services, which can make the process much easier.

Before loading everything into your car, call ahead or check the organization's website to see what they accept.

You don't want to spend an afternoon loading furniture only to find out they can't take it.

4. Be careful with paperwork

This is one area where I would encourage you not to rush.

Your parents may have boxes of old paperwork, but mixed in with those papers could be important documents.

Look for wills, trusts, insurance policies, financial records, property documents, and other information they may need.

Ask your parents before disposing of anything, and consult their attorney, accountant, or financial advisor if you're unsure what should be kept.

Anything containing personal information that no longer needs to be retained should be securely shredded.

5. What about everything nobody wants?

Eventually, you'll probably have things that can't be sold, donated, or passed along.

Broken furniture, old mattresses, worn-out household items, and things that simply aren't usable anymore.

This may be the time to hire a junk removal company or arrange for a dumpster.

Check whether electronics, paint, chemicals, or other materials need special disposal rather than putting everything in the trash.

And don't feel that you and your siblings have to do all the physical work yourselves.

Sometimes hiring someone to help is worth every penny.

6. Talk with us before emptying the house

Here's something families don't always think about.

If your parents are planning to sell their home, you may not want to remove every piece of furniture right away.

Some furniture may help buyers understand the size and purpose of a room.

Other pieces may make the house feel crowded or dated.

Before arranging to have everything removed, ask your real estate professional what should stay for photographs and showings.

That little bit of planning could save you from moving furniture twice.

One last thought

Going through your parents' belongings can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally.

You may feel like you're making progress, and then find yourself spending two hours going through one box of photographs.

That's okay.

There may be stories your parents want to share or belongings they aren't quite ready to part with.

Try not to make the process just about getting the house emptied.

After all, you're helping your parents close one chapter of their lives and begin another.

And remember, it's still their home, their belongings, and their decision.

Amber and I have helped families with much more than just selling their homes. We've coordinated with companies to remove unwanted belongings, supervised the clearing out of entire houses, and even rolled up our sleeves to fill dumpsters ourselves. We've organized garage sales and used the proceeds to help pay for the dumpster, and we've loaded our own cars with donations and made trips to Goodwill and other charitable organizations. We've done these things at no additional charge to the families we've helped because sometimes what people need most isn't another person telling them what to do. It's someone willing to step in and help get it done.

Next in our downsizing series: How Much Is My Parents' Home Worth, and Should We Fix It Up Before Selling?