Q.  My parents made the decision to move into an assisted living community, and my two brothers and I are in charge of preparing their house for sale. We’d love to have it ready for the spring market, but cleaning out all the stuff they left behind will be a challenge. My parents didn’t save everything over the years, but sometimes it feels like they did! Where do we start?

A. You said it. Cleaning out a lifetime of memories from a family home can feel overwhelming – both physically and emotionally. It helps to take a step back and think about how you want to approach it before jumping in.

You may want to start by having a meeting (either in person or over the phone) with your family – including your parents. You can use this time to come up with a schedule and agree on overall goals. It’s also wise to clarify who has the legal authority to make financial decisions. Even in close families, emotions can run high during times like these. Things will go more smoothly if everyone is on the same page. Here are some other steps to consider:

Locate all financial documents: If your parents haven’t already done this, locate and save all important documents like homeowner’s insurance records, mortgage statements, and receipts from home improvements before you start throwing things away.

Hire an appraiser: If you believe there may be valuables in the house, hire someone to estimate the value of furniture or antiques.

Create a wish list: To avoid hard feelings, have each family member create a wish list of things they would want to take. If they are able, include your parents when deciding on meaningful items. Use the appraiser’s information as a guide, keeping both financial and sentimental value in mind.

Consult your realtor: Before moving out furniture or décor, check with your realtor about what should be left to stage the house for sale. It can be easier to sell a furnished home.

Organize items in piles: Have a section for things you and your brothers will keep, items to sell or donate, and things that can be tossed.

Go room by room: It’s okay to pace yourself and take breaks. You don’t have to make all the decisions in one day.

If it still seems too overwhelming, an estate sale company or professional organizer can help. By starting with a plan and keeping communication open, you can make the process more manageable for everyone involved.

Are you caring for an older adult or need help finding healthy aging resources? Our experienced staff is available to help. Visit us online at www.agespan.org. You can also call 800-892-0890 or email info@agespan.org. 

Joan Hatem-Roy is the chief executive officer of AgeSpan, which serves the following cities and towns: Amesbury, Andover, Billerica, Boxford, Chelmsford, Danvers, Dracut, Dunstable, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Marblehead, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Peabody, Rowley, Salisbury, Salem, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford, and West Newbury.