The short answer
Donate what someone can use, recycle what you can, and pay someone to haul away the rest. You can do it in that order, and usually over as many weeks as you like.
Before any of it goes, set aside his papers and his devices: his phone, his computer, anything that holds photos or files. Back up what is on them. Those are the two things in the house that cannot be replaced if they leave by mistake.
This chapter explains how things usually work in the United States. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and the rules where you live may differ. Before you act on anything here, check it with one of the people named at the end of the chapter.
What to do
- Set aside every paper, device, key and card before anything leaves the house.
- Back up the photos and files on his phone and computers, with a helper if you have one.
- Keep tax papers at least the three years the IRS generally sets, and ask the tax preparer and the lawyer about the rest.
- Donate what someone can use, and keep a receipt for each drop-off.
- Before any device leaves the house, back it up, take out any SIM and memory cards, then reset it.
- Book someone to haul the rest, with the price in writing.
- Keep one box you never have to open, and write on the lid what it is.
What can wait
- Shredding. Papers are safe in a box until the tax preparer and the lawyer have answered.
- Reading through his old papers, messages and photos. Boxing and backing them up is enough for now. A letter with a date on it is the exception: open it when it arrives.
- The last box. It can stay closed for good.
Who can help
Local charities, and your state's assistive technology program at at3center.net, can tell you what they take. Your city or county can point you to electronics recycling and shredding events.
For the papers, ask a tax preparer, and the estate's lawyer if there is one. For free tax help, call AARP Foundation Tax-Aide at 1-888-227-7669. It needs no AARP membership.
A patient friend can share the work. So can a professional organizer, through the NAPO directory, or a senior move manager, through NASMM.
The rules, phone numbers and web addresses in this book were checked against the agencies’ own pages in October 2026. They change, so check anything you rely on with the office itself.
From Book 3: The House and the Things
This page has the short answer and the closing lists from chapter 12. The full chapter explains, in plain words, what exists, what to ask, and who can answer. The book covers months 3 to 12.
Hear when the next book is out
Five or six short emails a year at most, and a note when a new book is out. Each one is about something that tends to come up in the first two years. You can unsubscribe whenever you like.