desh jack7 months ago
★★★★★
Thanks, Serge, for the quick, professional, and reasonably priced service. Will use you again - highly recommend!
Overview
Search for these before anyone donates or hauls a single box. Many are hard or slow to replace, and they turn up in places nobody expects.
Your mother always said the will was “in the house somewhere.” It is not in the desk, the filing cabinet or the nightstand. The car title has not turned up either, and there is a small key on her ring that fits nothing you can find.
That is the moment to slow down. The single most common regret after an estate cleanout is a document that went out with the trash. Search the house first, room by room, before anything leaves, and check things off the lists below as you go. This guide is part of our Sacramento estate cleanout series.
At a glance
- Upfront, volume-based pricing confirmed before we start
- Same-day and next-day appointments, open 24 hours a day
- Full service: we lift, load, haul and sweep up
- Licensed and insured, locally owned in West Sacramento
- We donate what is usable and recycle what we can
- No tips expected and no hidden dump fees
Legal and Estate Documents
Start with the legal papers:
- The will, and any codicils (later changes to it)
- Trust documents, including any amendments and the schedule of assets
- Powers of attorney and advance health care directives
- The death certificate (order several certified copies; banks and agencies each want one)
- Burial plot deeds or pre-paid funeral contracts
Property and Vehicles
Next, the house, the car and anything in storage:
- Grant deeds and the most recent property tax bill for the house
- Mortgage, reverse mortgage or home equity statements
- Vehicle titles (pink slips) and registration
- Homeowner’s and auto insurance policies
- Storage unit contracts and keys
Money and Accounts
Then the paper trail for every account, policy and benefit:
- Bank, credit union and brokerage statements
- Retirement account and pension statements
- Life insurance policies and annuity contracts
- Recent tax returns (the last three years is a good start)
- Social Security and Medicare letters
- Safe deposit box keys and the bank’s name
Where Paperwork Hides
Older Sacramento homes give up documents in places nobody expects. Check these before the house is cleared:
- Inside books, Bibles and photo albums
- Freezers, coffee cans and kitchen canisters
- Shoe boxes, purses and coat pockets in closets
- Under drawer liners and taped beneath drawers
- Garage cabinets, the attic and the shed
- Envelopes stacked with junk mail
Then Make One “Do Not Haul” Spot
Pick a single room, or a set of labeled bins, for everything that stays: papers, photos, keepsakes and anything the family has claimed. Tell the crew about it on cleanout day.
When we clear a house, we leave anything marked or set aside where it is. If we come across loose papers, photos or valuables mid-job, we stop and hand them to you rather than load them. That is a backstop, not a plan. The search comes first.
When the search is done and the family has what it wants, see our estate cleanout service or read what to do with a parent’s house after a death for the full order of steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents should I look for before cleaning out a deceased parent’s house?
The will and any trust papers, deeds and the property tax bill, vehicle titles, bank and retirement statements, life insurance policies, the last three years of tax returns, and safe deposit box keys.
Will the cleanout crew watch for documents?
We leave anything you set aside, and if we find loose papers, photos or valuables while loading, we stop and give them to you. The safest approach is still to search the house before cleanout day.
Real Customer Reviews
Josh South8 months ago
★★★★★
Fast, convenient, and amazing service. I will definitely be a returning customer. Thank you!
Jason Roberts11 months ago
★★★★★
Great and punctual service! Reasonable prices and very friendly. I recommend highly. He hauled away an old piano. Very professional!
Erika Alvarez1 year ago
★★★★★
Fast, affordable, professional, and friendly! I called and Serge was here within about an hour.
BenWendy Webster1 year ago
★★★★★
Serge was awesome to work with. I am very grateful I found his company. I contacted them on a Tuesday and by Wednesday the hot tub was gone. He was on time and worked hard. Left the area cleaned up and I’m so excited to have my backyard back!
Lacey A1 year ago
★★★★★
Prompt response when I inquired about Hot Tub Removal. Fair price. Was available next day and only took about an hr and half. Would highly recommend.
Shawn Herrick1 year ago
★★★★★
Serge was amazing. Would definitely recommend. He was prompt, fair and very professional.
kyle c1 year ago
★★★★★
Reasonably priced, great communication, Serge was very friendly and got my junk hauled with ease! Would absolutely use TCJ Hauling again. Thanks so much
Luis Terrazas1 year ago
★★★★★
This guys are the real deal !!! Serge and his crew took care of our old furniture as we are transitioning into a new apartment. They were able to accommodate last minute and for a competitive price .
Prameet Chandra1 year ago
★★★★★
Messaged TCJ Hauling in need of getting rid of some junk that was accumulating in the garage. Not only was the company able to come the same day but were also very punctual and realiable which above all things mean the most me. The service was fast and the vehicle used was modern and able to accommodate for all the items I needed to be removed. Very Prosfessional and accommodating will definitely call them again and tell my friends and family to do the same. Thank you TCJ Hauling!
Ready for a Free Quote?
Once the papers are safe and the family has what it wants, call or book online and we will clear the rest of the house.
Get your free, no-obligation quote
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