I'm an Executor in Massachusetts - Where Do I Start With a House Full of Belongings?

If you've been named executor of an estate in Massachusetts, clearing out the physical property is often the most time-sensitive part of the job — especially if the home needs to be sold to settle the estate. Here's exactly where to start:

Step 1: Get Your Legal Authority in Order

 Before touching anything, confirm you have Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the Probate Court. This document gives you the legal authority to manage and dispose of estate property.

Step 2: Notify Beneficiaries

Massachusetts executors are required to act transparently. Communicate with all heirs before removing or discarding items. Document what's in the home.

Step 3: Secure the Property and Valuables

 Change the locks. Remove cash, jewelry, documents, and valuables. Don't assume anything is junk until it's been evaluated.

Step 4: Call a Professional Cleanout Company

 Once beneficiaries have taken what they want, a professional junk removal company like Clean Slate can clear the entire property — often in a single day — leaving it broom-clean and ready for listing or sale.


Step 5: Coordinate with the Realtor

 In high-value markets like Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate, and Duxbury, getting the home to market quickly matters. We work directly with listing agents and property managers to coordinate access and timing.

Why Executors Choose Clean Slate:

  • We provide itemized receipts for estate accounting purposes
  • We coordinate with realtors and attorneys directly
  • We can work with out-of-state executors who can't be present
  • We handle everything — you don't need to be there

  • Can a junk removal company work with an out-of-state executor to clear a Massachusetts property?

    Yes. We regularly work with executors who live out of state. We coordinate via phone and text, work with whoever has property access, and provide full documentation of the job.

  • How do probate attorneys in Massachusetts handle the physical belongings in an estate?

     Attorneys handle the legal side — not the physical cleanout. They typically advise executors to hire a professional junk removal or estate cleanout company once the legal inventory and beneficiary distribution is complete.

  • Do I need to be present for a probate cleanout?

    No. We work with whoever has access to the property — a realtor, neighbor, or property manager — and communicate with you throughout.

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