Settling an estate is already complicated. Packing and shipping inherited belongings should not become another problem for the family or executor.
Once decisions have been made about who receives what, there is still a very practical question to answer:
How do you safely get those belongings to people who may live across town, across the country, or around the world?
That is where professional packing and shipping can take a surprisingly large piece of the estate process off someone’s plate.
Estate Shipping Is Usually More Complicated Than “Put It in a Box”
Inherited belongings are often exactly the kinds of things that are awkward to ship.
Framed photographs. Artwork. Antique clocks. China. Collectibles. Jewelry. Family keepsakes. Lamps. Books. Decorative pieces. Personal belongings collected over decades.
Some are fragile. Some are unusually shaped. Some have significant monetary value. Others may not be expensive at all, but are irreplaceable to the person receiving them.
Good estate shipping starts by looking at the actual item, where it is going, how it should be protected, and which shipping method makes sense.
Distribution Can Mean More Than One Shipment
Estate property often does not go to one place.
One beneficiary may live in Virginia. Another may be in Texas. A third may be overseas. Several family members may each receive a different group of belongings.
Instead of asking one family member or executor to become a temporary packing department, the items can be separated by destination, professionally packed, labeled, and shipped individually.
Some Items Need More Than Ordinary Packing
A box and some newspaper may be fine for certain household items. It is not the answer for everything.
Glass, frames, corners and surfaces need protection appropriate to the piece.
Older or unusually shaped items may need custom cushioning, double boxing or other added protection.
The shipping method, documentation, declared value and available coverage options should be considered before the package leaves.
For higher-value shipments, we can also review available declared-value and insurance options based on the item, carrier, destination, and shipment requirements.
Executors Do Not Need to Become Shipping Experts
Executors already have enough decisions to make.
Sorting property, working with attorneys and family members, handling paperwork, meeting deadlines, coordinating sales and distributions, and keeping beneficiaries informed can consume a tremendous amount of time.
Figuring out which box to use, how much cushioning is enough, which carrier makes sense, how international paperwork works, or how to ship an awkward antique should not necessarily be added to that list.
Sometimes the simplest answer is to bring the item to someone who does this every day.
What We Can Help Coordinate
Appropriate boxes, cushioning and protection for the item.
Separate shipments going to different family members and destinations.
Carrier and service options based on the shipment and destination.
Help with carrier selection and required shipping documentation.
Traceable shipments so families know where items are in transit.
Review of available declared-value and coverage options when appropriate.
Attorneys and Other Estate Professionals Can Refer the Logistics
Estate and probate attorneys are often asked questions that are really logistics questions:
“How do we get this to my sister?” “Who can pack this painting?” “Can this go overseas?” “What do we do with the items going to three different states?”
The same is true for estate planners, fiduciaries, professional organizers, senior move managers and estate-sale professionals.
When a client needs help packing and distributing estate property, Star MailHub Print & Business Center can serve as a local shipping resource rather than leaving the attorney, executor or family to solve every shipment individually.
Before You Bring the Items In
You do not need to know the box size, carrier or exact shipping service before contacting us.
What helps most is knowing:
What is being shipped?
Where is it going?
Is it fragile, unusual or particularly valuable?
Is there a deadline for delivery?
From there, we can look at the item and help determine the appropriate packing and shipping approach.
One Less Part of the Estate to Manage Yourself
Shipping inherited property may be only one small part of settling an estate, but it can become a time-consuming one very quickly.
Bring us the items and the destinations. We can help with the packing and shipping part.
Need Help Shipping Estate or Inherited Items?
Bring the item to Star MailHub Print & Business Center or contact us with questions about packing, destination, timing, or higher-value shipment requirements.
Star MailHub Print & Business Center
3214 Electric Rd, #102
Roanoke, VA 24018
540-491-4440
