Repete, the one thing you do need is a "COMPLETE INVENTORY". That means that anything that has been removed MUST BE RETURNED. Then, appraisal for each item for monetary worth. Cash and bonds included.

When my father passed away, I thought they were even going to list individual tooth-picks they found. Even some of my own tools went on the inventory because I could not prove that they were mine, not my father's.

When it starts out like that, it doesn't seem to have a good ending either. Sorry to say. Best of luck on that, and sorry to hear about your loss.

WOW, I haven't checked in on this in quite awhile and was surprised!!
Thank you all for the kind words thoughts and prayers, it was very hard for awhile there and alot of people helped me thru and many don't even know they helped.

We had an estate auction Sun. 9/13 and sold most everything, I admit I shed a few tears when some of mom's things came up and then again when dads tools went on the block. I bought ALOT and did what I could to buy the house but just couldn't swing it .. I was out bid by$500 lousy bucks! At the time I wanted to go another $1000 but had alredy passed my limit by 1000. After the auction while signing papers the new owners ( after closing next mo.) said they passed there limit by 2 grand! AARRGGG So I'm kind heartsick about that. I did find out alot about what my sisters feel is importent and whats not! I won't go into detail about that. I now have boxes and boxes of pictures, movies and old family stuff/hairlooms? I don't know where to put them all, but that's ok I'll find a place and I have lots of things to remind me of some real good times

thanks for reading this and bearing with me

oh yes.....im the only child and when dad passed away,,,,his brother got into the safe and kept the war metals (purple heart and silver star). since he was a cook in the navy, it wasnt anything he could get....anyway, i have three sons that i couldve handed down to, since my uncle has since passed away, i dont think i will ever get a reply to my numerous requests to the family.....good luck

That kind of stuff takes on a whole new value when a loved one passes, and you lern sooo much about the ones left! I had an uncle that won a Silver Star in WWII in the Pacific I never knew about it till after he passed.