Losing a parent or helping them move is emotional, and the logistics can feel overwhelming. You want to do right by your family, protect the home’s value, and avoid costly delays. This guide gives you a clear, Massachusetts‑specific checklist so you can move forward with confidence. You will learn what to do first, which rules matter in Greater Boston, and how to keep the sale on track. Let’s dive in.

Your Greater Boston move‑management checklist

Phase A: First 48–72 hours

• Secure the property and collect keys, alarm codes, permits, and mailbox access.
• Locate essential documents: deed, mortgage statements, insurance, will or trust, property tax bill, utility bills, and any inspection reports. Guidance on when probate is necessary is available through the Commonwealth’s courts. Review the Probate & Family Court’s overview early to understand your path.
• Notify the lender (if any), insurer, and utilities to keep coverage and services active. Set up mail forwarding if someone will monitor the home.

Phase B: Legal, title, and taxes

• Confirm how title transfers: joint tenancy, life estate, trust, or through probate. If probate is required, the personal representative opens the estate and may need court approval to sell. The Probate & Family Court provides forms, including the Petition for Sale of Real Estate (MPC‑210). Review the court’s petition guidance here: Probate & Family Court petition for sale of real estate.
• Check Massachusetts estate tax exposure. For deaths on or after January 1, 2023, the filing threshold is $2,000,000. Learn how the threshold and lien procedures work in the Massachusetts estate tax guide.
• Know your options. Massachusetts has not adopted a transfer‑on‑death deed model that some states use. Many families rely on joint ownership, life estates, or trusts. For background on how Massachusetts handles inheritance without a will, see Nolo’s overview of intestate succession in Massachusetts. Consult an estate attorney for advice on your situation.

Phase C: Prepare the house for market

• Lead‑paint disclosure for pre‑1978 homes. Provide the federal and Massachusetts lead notifications and any reports you have. Review your obligations with this Massachusetts Lead Law resource.
• Smoke and CO certification. Schedule your town’s fire department inspection and obtain the Certificate of Compliance, which buyers and lenders typically require. Do this early. See state guidance on the smoke and carbon monoxide alarm inspection.
• Repairs and updates. Prioritize safety fixes first. For probate estates, coordinate with counsel and your agent before authorizing major work in case court approval is needed.
• Staging and photos. Declutter, depersonalize, and stage for professional photography. If family members cannot manage this, consider a certified senior move manager to coordinate sorting, donation, and packing. You can search Greater Boston providers in the NASMM directory.

Phase D: Declutter, donate, dispose

• Make five piles: keep, sell, donate, recycle, hazardous. Photograph high‑value items and create a simple inventory. Consider estate‑sale or auction help for collections.
• Plan donation pickups. Confirm accepted items, fees, and schedules with local nonprofits before booking. Policies change, so get details in writing.
• Handle hazardous materials correctly. Paint, solvents, aerosols, certain batteries, and bulbs cannot go in curbside trash. Use your town’s household hazardous waste events or approved facilities. See MassDEP guidance starting here: MassDEP information for Massachusetts communities.

Phase E: Movers, packing, and logistics

• Get 2–3 written quotes and ask for in‑home estimates when possible. For interstate moves, verify the mover’s federal registration and your consumer rights. The FMCSA regularly warns about moving fraud. Read more here: FMCSA mover enforcement and consumer protection.
• Decide what travels with you. Move jewelry, original documents, and small valuables personally. Photograph furnishings and note condition before packing.

Phase F: Sale process and closing

• If the sale is part of probate, expect extra steps. The court may need to approve the sale terms and later the distribution of proceeds. Start with the Probate & Family Court’s forms and instructions for real estate petitions: MPC‑210 and related guidance.
• For non‑probate transfers, proceed with a standard listing and closing. Have your smoke and CO certificate and lead disclosures ready for the buyer.
• After closing, cancel insurance, schedule final utility reads, and coordinate distributions with your attorney or CPA if a Massachusetts estate tax return is required. See the state estate tax guide for filing details.

Documents to gather and share securely

• Deed and any title documents
• Mortgage statements and payoff info
• Homeowners insurance policy and agent contact
• Original will or trust and death certificate(s)
• Social Security and Medicare information for administrative updates
• Recent property tax bill and utility bills
• Appraisals, inspection or lead‑paint reports
• Photos and receipts for valuables or collections

Key Massachusetts rules to know

• Probate vs. non‑probate drives your timeline. Many estates in Massachusetts take months to over a year to administer, depending on complexity. Begin by confirming whether probate is required and what court approvals are needed. The Commonwealth explains when probate applies here: Find out when probate is necessary.
• The Massachusetts estate tax threshold is $2,000,000 for deaths on or after January 1, 2023. Estates at or above this level may need to file, and an estate‑tax lien can affect timing. Review the Massachusetts estate tax guide.
• Safety compliance is not optional. Sellers typically must provide a smoke and carbon‑monoxide Certificate of Compliance and handle lead‑paint disclosures for pre‑1978 homes. Start these items early to avoid closing delays. See the smoke and CO inspection overview and lead‑paint disclosure guidance.
• Transfer‑on‑death deeds are not a Massachusetts tool. Planning often relies on trusts, life estates, or joint ownership instead. Learn more about inheritance rules in the Massachusetts intestate succession overview. Always consult an attorney for legal advice.

Who to include on your team

• Estate attorney for probate, petitions to sell, and estate‑tax coordination.
• Real estate agent experienced in probate and senior moves to price, market, and coordinate with the court and town inspectors.
• Certified senior move manager or professional organizer for sorting, donation, packing, and unpacking. Search the NASMM directory.
• Licensed movers with written estimates, clear valuation coverage, and verified credentials for interstate moves. See FMCSA protections: mover enforcement overview.
• Local fire department and municipal DPW for smoke and CO inspections, bulk pickup, and household hazardous waste events.

Timeline and budget at a glance

• If title is clear through a trust or joint ownership, your sale may follow a standard Greater Boston listing timeline. If probate is involved, expect a longer path due to court steps and approvals. Start the legal review first. The Commonwealth’s overview on when probate applies is here: When probate is necessary.
• Budget for typical costs: safety fixes and certificates, modest updates, staging, clean‑out or dumpster, mover fees, estate‑sale or auction fees if used, and legal or court costs. If the Massachusetts estate tax applies, plan for CPA and legal coordination.

Avoid these common pitfalls

• Assuming the family can close immediately without checking title. Probate or liens can delay closing.
• Skipping the smoke and CO certificate or lead disclosures. These often block closings in Massachusetts.
• Hiring movers without written estimates or verification. Beware of lowball quotes and large cash deposits.
• Tossing hazardous materials in regular trash. Use municipal HHW programs to avoid fines and delays.

When you need a steady guide from first checklist to final closing, partner with an experienced, senior‑focused team. From coordinating inspections and move‑management to premium marketing and negotiation, Juli Ford helps families protect value and reduce stress every step of the way.

FAQs

What should I do first when selling a parent’s home in Greater Boston?

• Secure the property, gather key documents, and confirm whether probate is required. This drives your timeline and next steps.

Do I need a smoke and carbon‑monoxide certificate to sell in Massachusetts?

• Yes. Schedule your local fire department inspection early so you have the Certificate of Compliance in hand before closing.

How does the Massachusetts estate tax affect our sale proceeds?

• If the estate meets the $2,000,000 threshold for deaths on or after January 1, 2023, filing may be required and liens can affect timing. Coordinate with your attorney or CPA.

What if the home was built before 1978?

• Provide required lead‑paint disclosures and any reports you have. Buyers expect the correct forms during the transaction.

Who can help manage sorting, packing, and donation near Boston?

• A certified senior move manager can plan, coordinate, and supervise the entire process, including mover quotes and donation pickups.

How do I avoid moving scams for an interstate move?

• Get multiple written estimates, verify credentials, avoid large cash deposits, and clarify valuation coverage before booking.