Property Maintenance

Property maintenance during probate is not optional. It is a fiduciary duty of the personal representative.

When someone passes away, the property does not stop needing care. The grass still grows. The roof still leaks. The gutters still clog. The HVAC system still needs to run or be winterized. The driveway still needs snow removal. And all of these things affect the property's value.

I have seen estates lose 10-15% of their property value simply because maintenance was neglected during the probate process. An overgrown yard signals vacant property to vandals. A leak that goes unrepaired turns into major water damage. A failed HVAC system in summer leads to mold.

The executor's job is to preserve the value of the estate for the beneficiaries. That means keeping up with basic property maintenance from day one, even while the legal process is underway.

My advice: budget for ongoing maintenance as soon as the estate opens. Hire a lawn service if needed. Arrange for snow removal. Have a handyman on speed dial for small repairs. It's money well spent when it preserves the estate's largest asset.