How are we all doing ?

Just finished probate for my mum's estate. It took my weeks of work while I was having chemo, to work out the finances. There was money in accounts with just about every bank & also small amounts of shares too. In my dad's early dementia, he shredded everything, so there were almost no records & no detail about repairs to the house etc. I can assure you that too much info is better than no info.

Hi Coojee,Yes indeed I agree.I have to chase up mum’s second death certificate as there was a spelling mistake on the first.Luckily mum doesn’t appear to have had any hidden bank accounts.I have already dealt with most things.I shall apply for probate once I have the death certificate though I would rather have waited longer.There are essential repairs that need doing before I can sell this house.I really don’t want to move and then have to move again once my partner is ready to sell up.He has to split the money with his brother and I have to do the same with my sister.My problem is the amount of stuff mum had accumulated over the years.A lot can be sold but it’s working out the best place for it to go that is tricky.The pandemic has made it more awkward.I’m not in debt but I have hardly any money.I’ve found it stressful.I shall feel happier once items start moving from the house.Jane x

Hello Coojee and Jane, herein lies the dilemma regarding what are regarded as valuables to us and are too valuable to throw away but could be difficult to sell. For example my mum and dad had a collection of Lladro and Nao figures. They are not fashionable anymore so we be hard to sell. If you were able to sell they would only sell at  a fraction of their original price. In the end they sit wrapped up taking up space. Difficult to know what to do.

Take care Chris

Hi Chris,Mum and I were very close.The only thing we disagreed about was the amount of paintings,prints,etc that she had.She bought items to sell but never got around to it.I think she started collecting when my father died and it got worse when her second marriage broke down.Mum kept saying she didn’t want to leave it all to me to sort out but that is what has happened.I take comfort from the fact that these things did bring mum some happiness.My sister and I are having to decide what family pieces if any we want to keep.Jane x

My parents made many mistakes through their "antique" collecting believing that the cost, is the same as value. As it turned out, the "antiques" were worth nothing, neither were the many pottery items. Auction houses wouldn't take it. We decided to hold an open day & just sold everything for what we could get on the day. We then got a clearance company to take the rest. We got the heating boiler services & repaired, got a roofing company to re-felt & tile the roof & a cleaning company to clean up inside. Then finally a gardiner to spend a few days getting things ready for the house sale photos.

We got a high offer from someone who then wanted to move-in under licence (no thanks), then we found someone to buy who was also happy to wait the 6 months for probate. We've now exchanged contracts, with completion next week.

Good to hear you are near completion.Mum did have a good eye for antiques,prints.She made a staggering profit on some etchings by Whistler.I’m hoping the auction house might be interested in a few of the prints.Mum did sell various antiques over the years when we were very hard up.I’ve thought about an open day the main problem is the parking situation.My old neighbour used to have them and did well.It’s worth thinking about,anything to raise some much needed cash.I will need some roof repairs done and the balcony mended.Jane x

We did some boot fairs but they aren't as popular as they used to be. We did manage to shift quite a bit of stuff though. Had to get a clearance guy in for garage. Some of the furniture went to the Heart Foundation but even they can be picky about what they take. All on all it took up a lot of time and effort but got there in the end. Take care Chris 

Hi Chris,I wish I could drive.I don’t like being dependent on my partner and sister.My sister was supposed to be coming over today but she has just sent a text to say she is exhausted.I wasn’t surprised,hopefully she will pop in another day after work.I have hardly any furniture so that is a bonus.I do have two large filing cabinets to empty and rehome.I did them up a while back and they are still of use.Virtually all the furniture I have acquired via  my uncle.I had an old chest of drawers of my late aunts which I did up and that holds my art equipment.I shall get a new sofa when I move.The one I am lying on is 24 yrs old,tired but comfy.I had better move and get some lunch.Jane x

Yeah, it's a bit of a Labour of Hercules.  Hopefully that's it.

It was the bulky stuff that caused the problems, fortunately my brother took some of it and in agreement with the property purchasers I left a couple of units behind.

You can't beat sitting on comfy old furniture, who cares about the look so long as it's comfortable. Take care Chris