A Family Member Just Died — What Do I Do With Their Whatcom County House? The First 48 Hours
If you’re reading this, you’re probably tired, overwhelmed, and trying to make big decisions while grieving.
You are not alone. And you don’t have to figure this out in the right order on your own.
This post is a simple, practical “first 48 hours” checklist for when there’s a house in Whatcom County (Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Birch Bay, Everson, Nooksack, Sudden Valley, etc.) and a family member has passed away.
Quick note: I’m not an attorney, and this isn’t legal advice. Probate rules can vary depending on the situation, so it’s always smart to speak with a Washington probate/estate attorney if you’re unsure.
If you want the fastest path: book a 15-minute call
If you’d rather explain the situation and get a clear plan (instead of Googling at midnight), schedule a free 15-minute call. Tell me what happened and where the property is, and I’ll help you map the next steps.
The goal in the first 48 hours
You are not trying to “solve probate” in two days.
You’re trying to do three things:
Secure the home and prevent problems
Protect the estate’s value (and avoid expensive mistakes)
Get organized so the next steps are calm and clean
0–6 Hours: Secure the home (even if you’re not here in Whatcom County)
1) Make sure someone can physically check the property
If the home is vacant (or might become vacant), ask a trusted local person to:
Confirm doors/windows are locked
Do a quick walk-around for broken windows, water leaks, or obvious hazards
Take 10–20 photos or a video walk-through (outside + main rooms) for documentation
If you’re out of town, this is often the first moment where having a local professional in your corner matters.
2) Change locks if needed (or re-key)
If you don’t know who has keys—or you’re worried about old caregivers, contractors, neighbors, or tenants—re-keying is cheap insurance.
3) Don’t start giving things away yet
Even if family members “just want to help,” avoid distributing personal property in the first couple days. In many estates, you’ll want an inventory and a plan.
6–24 Hours: Stop preventable money leaks
4) Confirm utilities (especially heat + water)
You generally want utilities kept on (at least temporarily), especially in colder months.
Why it matters:
Frozen pipes are a real risk if heat gets shut off
Vacant home insurance can be touchy if the property isn’t maintained
5) Notify the homeowner’s insurance carrier
Tell them the homeowner has passed and ask:
What coverage applies now?
Do they require a vacancy endorsement?
What do they need from the personal representative?
This is one of the most important “protect the asset” steps.
6) Forward mail (or at least hold it)
Mail piling up is a vacancy signal.
Options:
USPS hold mail temporarily
Forward mail to the personal representative (once appropriate)
7) Basic food / trash clean-out (only what’s necessary)
If food is spoiling or trash is piling up, handle that.
But don’t do a full cleanout yet unless you’ve got a clear plan.
24–48 Hours: Get the right paperwork started (without panic)
8) Identify who has legal authority (or will)
Two key questions:
Is there a will?
Is there a trust?
If there’s a trust, the house may be handled outside of probate (often faster). If not, probate may be required depending on how title is held.
9) Understand “letters” in plain English
To sell real estate, the person handling the estate typically needs to be officially appointed as the personal representative (executor/administrator), and that appointment is shown through documents commonly referred to as Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
(An attorney can confirm what’s required in your exact scenario.)
10) Where probate paperwork is filed in Whatcom County
Whatcom County provides probate packets for basic uncontested probates, and they list the Superior Court Clerk as:
Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 301
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: 360-778-5560
The county’s probate page notes a $290.00 filing fee for the uncontested probate packets (as listed on their site).
They also encourage electronic filing for civil and probate when possible.
Again: this is not legal advice—just a “where to start” reference so you’re not guessing.
The 5 biggest mistakes I see in the first 48 hours
Family starts clearing the house immediately (and later regrets what was tossed or taken)
Utilities get shut off and the home gets damaged
Insurance isn’t updated and coverage becomes a problem
No one secures the property and valuables disappear
Everyone assumes probate is “automatic” and months pass without a plan
What you can do now, even before probate is solved
Even if you’re still waiting on legal authority, you can usually prepare responsibly:
Secure the property
Document condition + contents
Get bids for cleanout/hauling/yard work (don’t start the full work until you’re sure of the authority)
Get a professional opinion of value and a “sell as-is vs fix” strategy
This is exactly how you prevent the estate from bleeding value while you get the legal side handled.
If you want help, here’s what I do for my clients (in plain language)
As a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist, my job is to take the real estate burden off your shoulders, so you can focus on family.
That often includes:
Securing the home
Coordinating locksmith, cleanup, hauling, donations, contractors
Creating a clear plan: sell as-is vs prep
Managing the sale, any and all related clean-up and projects, and helping you navigate the timeline with the estate’s needs in mind
FAQs
Do I need probate to sell a house in Whatcom County?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no, depending on how the home is titled (trust, joint ownership, beneficiary deed, etc.). An attorney can confirm quickly.
Can we clean out the house right away?
You can do basic safety/health cleanup (trash, spoiled food). For full cleanout and distribution of items, it’s best to pause until you understand authority and family agreements.
What if I live out of state?
This is extremely common. The right plan is usually: secure → document → build a timeline → coordinate vendors → list/sell when legally appropriate.
Where do we file probate in Whatcom County?
Whatcom County lists the Superior Court Clerk at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 301, Bellingham.
What does uncontested probate cost to file in Whatcom County?
Whatcom County’s probate packet page lists a $290 filing fee for basic uncontested probate packets (confirm current fees if you’re reading this later).
