This checklist covers the house itself rather than the paperwork of the estate. Work through the list at your own pace, share a copy with the other heirs so everyone is reading the same page, and call phone available on request whenever you want a second opinion on a line.

• 1 Agree in writing which heir speaks for the house day to day
• 2 Change the locks and confirm the insurance covers an empty home
• 3 Keep water, power and heat running so the house does not deteriorate
• 4 Add up the monthly carrying cost: loan, taxes, insurance, utilities, yard
• 5 Walk the house together and take what matters before anything is cleared
• 6 Get a written opinion of value and a realistic rent estimate side by side
• 7 Price the repairs a buyer or a tenant would expect before choosing a path
• 8 Compare keeping, renting and selling using that one shared set of numbers
• 9 Write down what a buyout would cost if one heir wants to stay in the home