Capturing a “State of the Property and Contents” video immediately after death can create a valuable record for executors.

You think you’re going to remember.  You’re not going to remember.

A video walkthrough can serve as a baseline for the state of the property received by the estate at the time of death.  It can serve to catalog visible personal property and aid a personal representative to recall the contents of the property at the beginning.  It can also serve as a means to assure transparency for heirs and other parties seeking visibility they may not have otherwise.   It may also serve as a personal representative’s personal record – just in case.

 

The Deep Dive

Video can be meticulous and detailed or summary.  As every estate is different, the level of footage taken will vary.  As a complete record of estate inventory, a video may fall short.  (Talk to your attorney)  However, a slow, meticulous video may provide a sufficient record of the estate property to be helpful in several circumstances.

It is likely that in the course of estate administration, the property will have many contractors, family members, stakeholders, and visitors come through.  Things change and move in the course of estate administration.  Sometimes things disappear.  It’s good to have a record.  As executor, you have a lot on your mind.  Keeping track of the stuff may not seem a high priority.  Nonetheless, a video record may help you figure out earlier rather than later if things are beginning to “walk”.

In the case of a challenge from one or more of the heirs, a video may provide evidence.  “Yes, this was in the house just after Mom died.” “No, this wasn’t seen in the house after Mom died.”

Later in the estate administration process, or after, when the questions come up, “whatever happened to the _____”, you’ll be glad to have some form of reference.  If for nothing more than to jog your memory.

OK, let’s just say it, your nephew is loveable but sketchy and he’s coming over.  Do another video.  After all, you’re the fiduciary whose responsibility it is to marshall the estate.

 

To Pull Drawers or Not to Pull Drawers?  To Open Cabinets or not Open Cabinets?

Up to you.  The way we see it, this video is for you, the personal representative.  It is a reference and a record of what was present at the time of death.  The level of information to be provided by the video record is up to you.  We suggest more is better.

While small valuable items should certainly be secured, especially if the home is to be vacant, for initial record-keeping purposes, don’t just video the jewelry box.  Video the jewelry box, but also lay out the contents on a sheet and either photograph or video.

 

Bring Along the Camera

Taking shots of the key properties, such as collections, valuables, cabinet, and drawer contents, may provide a high-resolution companion to the video footage.

 

Conclusion

You might never touch it.  You might never need it.  Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

 

PS

Don’t forget the exterior and any out-buildings.