Common Mistakes in Estate Planning

Handling the estate of a loved one is never easy. Although it’s, unfortunately, something almost everyone has to deal with at some point in their life; it’s impossible to truly prepare for the mental, physical, and emotional toll that comes with handling an estate. Couple that with trying to keep up with your day-to-day responsibilities, and it can quickly start to feel like you are paddling to keep your head above water trying to handle it all.

At SoldASAP, we understand firsthand how overwhelming it can be to sort through your loved one’s belongings while your heart is still heavy with loss. We’ve felt that burden, too. Even though we’ve spent over 25 years helping families in this very situation, we too had to reach out for professional help when it was our turn to handle an estate. It was an incredibly difficult time, but asking for support was a turning point that gave us the space to grieve and heal. We want to offer that same kind of support to you because no one should have to go through this alone. This is why we strongly believe in the power of auctions as the best solution for handling the sale of your estate. Auctions not only simplify the process but also ensure that items are handled in a way that respects their value—both sentimental and monetary. Most importantly, hiring a professional auction company allows you, and your family, the necessary time and mental space to transition to the next chapter in your lives.

However, over the years, we’ve noticed some major pitfalls that families often encounter when handling an estate: the tendency to clean, sell, or discard items too quickly. These mistakes can lead to emotional, financial, and logistical consequences, which is why it’s so important to avoid them.  At the end of the day, our goal is to bring our clients peace of mind. Avoiding these common mistakes can help ensure that the process is smoother, less stressful, and more financially beneficial, allowing families to focus on honoring their loved one’s legacy without unnecessary regret or overwhelm.

The Pitfalls We See and Wish Families Knew Beforehand

When families first bring us in to help with an estate, there are a few common things we see that could have been avoided if they had a little guidance along the way.  We know it’s tempting to jump right in and start cleaning, donating, or selling—it feels like a step forward when everything feels so out of control. But here’s the truth: Those quick decisions can lead to unnecessary stress and even financial loss. It’s like trying to put a puzzle together when you’re not sure what the pieces even are. We want to help you make sure nothing important slips through the cracks.

- Overlooking Hidden Value

Handling an estate often means facing a house full of items that might seem ordinary or even like clutter. But in our experience, it’s often the items you least expect—an old rocking chair, a box of tools, or a stack of dusty books—that can hold surprising value.

- The Risk of Rushing

In the rush to clear out space or simplify the process, families often donate, sell, or even throw away items without knowing their true worth. A set of fine china might turn out to be a collector’s dream, an old lamp could be a sought-after antique or a seemingly mundane piece of furniture might hold significant monetary or sentimental value.

- The Danger of Premature Cleaning

Similarly, cleaning or sorting too soon can accidentally damage or separate items that should stay together. For instance, silverware sets lose value when pieces go missing, and valuable items can be mishandled or overlooked when the focus is on decluttering rather than careful evaluation.

These common mistakes can result in added stress, financial loss, and the regret of realizing too late that something valuable was overlooked or mishandled. This is why we highly recommend calling a professional to handle the estate before you begin cleaning, selling, or donating items. Having someone with the experience to guide you through the process ensures that no valuable or sentimental piece is overlooked, and it takes the stress off your shoulders so you can focus on what truly matters.

How We Can Help: Giving You the Support You Need

The biggest thing we offer is peace of mind. We’ll be the ones handling the details, so you don’t have to worry about missing something important or making a decision that you’ll regret later. Our goal is to take the weight off your shoulders—whether it’s through careful sorting and cleaning, making sure nothing gets overlooked, or helping you get the best possible return for your loved one’s items. You don’t have to face this alone. With our help, you’ll have the time and space to make thoughtful decisions without the burden of doing it all on your own. If there’s one thing we can tell you from our years of experience, it’s this: the earlier you ask for help, the easier this process becomes. It’s never too soon to reach out. Whether it’s getting an estate appraised, getting help with logistics, or just needing guidance on where to start—we’re here for that. The sooner we can come alongside you, the smoother and less stressful the process will be.

"If there’s one thing we can tell you from our years of experience, it’s this: the earlier you ask for help, the easier this process becomes."

We know that handling an estate is one of the toughest challenges you’ll ever face. It’s filled with grief, decisions, and a lot of emotional weight. But you don’t have to do it alone. We’ve been there, and we want to help. At SoldASAP, we treat every family like our own—because we understand what you're going through. We’re here to take that burden off your shoulders, so you can focus on what matters most.

If you’re ready to make this process a little easier, we’re here. Let us handle the details, so you can breathe a little easier, move forward a little smoother, and honor your loved one the way they deserve.