大象传媒

After his moving appraisal of an inherited collection of pottery at Eastbourne, our ceramics specialist Will Farmer explains in this听blog post听how to deal with inheritances after the loss of somebody close.

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After the phone calls, the cards, and the flowers, life in some way returns to its usual routines -听however I, like many people, was left with a large mountain to climb. When a loved one leaves us it's not only the emotional void we have to cope with,听but the practical matter of a听life full of possessions. From clothes to collectibles, photos to furniture, it all needs looking after, sorting out and putting in order.

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In my working career I meet people each and every week in the same situation, with the same dilemma and identical questions. What do I do with it all? What do I keep? What do I sell? What do I give away?

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It's rare that any of us can accommodate all of a loved one's possessions and, as such, you need to be practical while also听mindful of doing the right thing.

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My mum was an avid collector with a fantastic eye for antiques. Over the years she amassed a varied array of items which on reflection summed up her interests, passions and character. Following her death, my brother and I had to be sensible about her possessions, knowing that each of us could never fully accommodate a life of collecting. So what do you do,听and more importantly,听how do you do it?

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Here are a few tips which helped me deal with her estate and which I hope will help guide anyone else in this position.

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1. First and foremost you need to take your time, don't rush! Take stock of everything in the house -听look, think, remember.

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2. Take professional advice. Contact an auctioneer who will guide you through the contents of the property. Most firms will produce a formal valuation which will list items of value. The list will also indicate items of modest value and those with no commercial value at all. Some may charge for this service while others may not, in anticipation that surplus items will be offered for sale through them.

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3. Work through the list with any other family members. Use it as a tool to help share things equally between you. The list will provide auction estimates and values which help when equally dividing assets.

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4. Think about your own home: what will fit, what will suit. Also think about things that have personal memories and are significant to you and your relationship with the person you have lost.

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5. Look to sell unwanted items of value through a saleroom. This can be difficult, saying goodbye to items you may have known all your life - however when they are all sold look to re-invest the money wisely. I personally used some of the money from the sale of my mum's items to buy a piece that suited my taste, something I will keep forever. When I look at it I always think, 'that's mums vase.'

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6. Be brave with the residual! There will undoubtably be a volume of items which will have little or modest value. Think of the person that's gone and match these items with a charity that they would have supported. That way you are helping out in a way they would approve.

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Never underestimate the task that lies ahead. It's a tough one, and can be stressful and upsetting - however, with good advice and听family support it will all get sorted in time.

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- Will