--- title: Handling an Estate Move: Inventory, Sorting, Storage url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/estate-moves/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - Handling an estate move # Handling an estate move Secure the house, the papers and valuables first, photograph and inventory everything before anything leaves, and store items safely while the executor and family decide what to do. Rushing is the usual mistake, so build the plan around the legal timeline and not around the date. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Clearing the home of someone who has died is hard work done at a hard time. The tasks overlap: grief, legal duties, family opinions and a house that needs to be emptied or sold. A clear order of work keeps the process orderly. This guide gives a practical sequence and points to the official resources that explain the legal side. ## Secure first, decide later Lock the house, collect the mail, and move the most important papers to a safe place: wills, deeds, insurance policies, bank statements, tax returns and vehicle titles. Remove cash, jewelry and firearms to a secure location, with a second person present and a written note of what was taken. A short list signed by the executor protects everyone. ## The legal side The executor or personal representative has duties under Nevada law, and the court process depends on the size and shape of the estate. The Nevada Courts' Self-Help Center explains probate in plain language, and the Internal Revenue Service publishes information on estate taxes. This guide is not legal advice, so check with an attorney before items are sold, given away or discarded. ## Photograph and inventory - Walk each room with a camera or phone and take photos of every wall, shelf and cabinet. - Write a room-by-room list with notes on condition and any known value. - Flag items that may be valuable: art, jewelry, collections, antiques and guns. - Record who is asking for what, so that disputes are settled on paper. - Keep the list in a shared document or folder that the family can see. ## Sort with the family Gather the family for a walk-through, in person or on video. Let each person choose items, with the executor deciding disputes. Give the rest to charity, sell through consignment or an estate sale, or hold in storage until the legal steps allow. Personal papers and photographs deserve extra time. ## Storage while the estate is settled A house may need to be empty before a sale or a rental, while the estate remains open. Vault storage at O'Brien's Sparks warehouse starts from $40 per month, in wooden vaults of 7 ft x 7 ft x 5 ft, and goods ship with about 2 to 3 weeks of notice. See [estate and downsizing storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/estate-and-downsizing-storage/) and [vault storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/vault-storage/). ## Moving the pieces that stay in the family Furniture, pianos and fragile pieces going to relatives in another city can travel with a mover, and a written inventory keeps track of who gets what. Read [moving antiques safely](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-antiques/) for valuable pieces and [downsizing for seniors](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/downsizing-for-seniors/) for sorting advice. O'Brien's free in-home estimate is a good way to see what the move will take. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [Nevada Courts Self-Help Center](https://selfhelp.nvcourts.gov/) - [IRS, Estate tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estate-tax) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Estate and downsizing storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/estate-and-downsizing-storage/) - [Downsizing for seniors](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/downsizing-for-seniors/) - [Senior moves and downsizing help](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/senior-moving/) - [Moving antiques safely](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-antiques/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Moving for a new job](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-for-a-new-job/) - [Moving into your first apartment](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-apartment-move/) - [Getting furniture ready for home staging](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-and-home-staging/) - [What is FF&E?](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-is-ffe/) - [Hotel renovation FF&E logistics](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/hotel-renovation-ffe-logistics/) - [Planning a laboratory move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/planning-a-lab-move/) - [Moving office IT and equipment](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/office-move-it-and-equipment/) - [Business records storage basics](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/records-retention-and-storage/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Who can authorize removing things from the home? The executor or personal representative, and in some cases the court. Check with an attorney before removing or selling items. ### Should I photograph everything before moving it? Yes. Photos and a room-by-room list protect the executor and answer questions later. ### Can items be stored while the estate is open? Yes. Many families use storage so the home can be emptied without making final decisions. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) A Ami M. February 7, 2023 O'Brien's is great! They made my move easy. They were responsive, professional and accommodating. Trusting them with my move was one less thing I had to worry about. ### Owner's reply Ami thank you so much! It was a pleasure to assist you with your move and knowing that we were able to lessen any stress you may have had with the moving process, makes us so happy!! If you need anything in the future please let us know. M Mike K. August 30, 2019 The best customer service ever! ### Owner's reply Thanks Mike we sincerely appreciate you and your business! P Patrick R. September 19, 2026 The two gentlemen that helped me move today were very Helpful and professional! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070