Mom had some surgery end of May and will be in Transitional Care (skilled nursing facility ) and then to either ALF, or remain in SNF. I am her DPOA. She has asked me to "get the house ready for sale." She has many items that are not listed in the Personal Property section of her Will-- things like some furniture, sewing machine, exercise equipment (maybe put that on curb with a "FREE " sign....). In other words, she seems to want me to clear it out-- but siblings are hankering to be let into the house....(mind you these are the Very Same Ones who couldn't do anything to help take care of their own Mother)....they want me to let them into the house so they can take stuff... Well, how in the world is that going to go smoothly? Do I first remove all the items that ARE on the Personal Property Lists and then just open it all up to the sibs? What if one sib takes more than someone who couldn't get there in time? I predict chaos. And I am trying to spend my energy visiting mom every day. I go back, to what mom SAID, "get the house ready for sale, get rid of stuff. " what does everyone think, just keep it locked up and tell the sibs they're out of luck? Mom's & my church is having a rummage sale in 3 wks. I'm tempted to just bring it all there (save the Personal Prop List items in my own basement). Want to what mom wants, and what is easiest for me too.
To me it would seem selling the items at a 'living' estate sale would be fair; as others have noted the money could go to here care. At the end of the sale if items didn't see they could be donated and a receipt received. It is important that everything is done with the thought that she may need Medicaid or review the finances for another reason so keep good records and I would hire an sale manager. And BTW some sewing machines are worth a little bit of money anyway. I collect them!
My father hired an estate sale manager when my Grandmother died and my father was executor. The items that my Grandmother designated were given to the intended recipients and then all the rest was put in the sale. Relative and friends were welcome to come and buy them at the sale.
The soliciros (lawyers) have told me I can SELL anything I want but must give and hold duplicate copies of all payments taken - so I need to use a duplicating receipt book to prove sales.
I asked about what I can charge and was told this: have a look on ebay sold items and see what you would have got on there for a similar item and then that is a reasonable price to ask - there is a 10-15% fluctuation with one or two exceptions. Gold fluctuates in value so this needs to be taken into account. Don't take any notice of new sold items for yours will be second hand.
I can GIVE mums unused clothes away but they should go to a charity (exceptions here would be ultra expensive designer labels/mink etc where a price would be appropriate)
I cannot gift expensive items/cash/bonds etc to children or grandchildren or anyone else if the value of items would go over the annual limit permitted in law.
Hope that helps but as for letting them in to choose - I wouldn't and I am a daughter!. Mum has an antique grinding machine that was Dad's and I havent a clue as to its worth - time to either sell it as part of the house sale or get a valuer in