Frequently Asked Questions
What does Heirloom Consulting do?
Heirloom Consulting helps families, trustees, and professionals navigate trust administration, estate transitions, downsizing, and real estate. We coordinate the countless moving pieces so families can focus on what matters most.
Do you replace an attorney or CPA?
No. We work alongside your attorney, CPA, and financial advisor to help carry out the day-to-day responsibilities involved in administering a trust or estate.
Who does Heirloom work with?
We work with trustees, personal representatives, beneficiaries, adult children, seniors, attorneys, financial advisors, CPAs, and anyone responsible for managing a property or estate transition.
What is trust administration?
Trust administration is the process of carrying out the wishes outlined in a trust after someone passes away. This can include organizing assets, coordinating professionals, managing property, communicating with beneficiaries, and preparing assets for distribution.
How can Heirloom help a trustee?
Being a trustee can be overwhelming. We help coordinate vendors, organize documents, manage timelines, prepare the home to sell, sell estate and trust real estate, and simplify the administrative workload.
Are you real estate agents?
Yes. We provide full-service real estate representation while also offering estate transition services that most traditional real estate agents do not.
Can you help if there isn’t a trust?
Yes. While we specialize in trust administration, we also assist families with estate transitions, senior downsizing, home sales, and property management regardless of whether a trust exists.
Do you help prepare homes for sale?
Absolutely. We coordinate everything from cleanouts and repairs to staging, vendor management, landscaping, and listing preparation to maximize a home’s value.
Can you help with downsizing?
Yes. Whether someone is moving into senior living or simply reducing the size of their home, we coordinate packing, moving, donations, estate sales, auctions, and preparing the property for sale.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Southeast Michigan and the surrounding communities. Contact us to discuss projects outside our primary service area.
When should I contact Heirloom?
The earlier, the better. Bringing us in early allows us to create a plan, coordinate professionals, and reduce stress before small issues become larger problems.
Do you work with out-of-state families?
Yes. Many of our clients live outside Michigan and rely on us to be their trusted local presence, providing updates and managing the property on their behalf.
How much do your services cost?
Every estate and trust is different. We offer customized solutions based on the scope of work. Contact us for a consultation and personalized estimate.
Can you coordinate all of the vendors?
Yes. We work with trusted professionals including movers, cleaners, photographers, videographers, appraisers, contractors, appraisers, junk removal companies, estate sale providers, landscapers, inspectors, and more.
Why should I choose Heirloom instead of handling everything myself?
Estate and trust administration often involves dozens of time-consuming tasks. Our experience, vendor network, and hands-on approach saves families significant time, reduces stress, and helps ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes, we offer a free 30 minute consultation which can be booked directly on our website. We are happy to discuss your situation, answer questions, and help determine whether our services are the right fit.
What makes Heirloom different?
Unlike companies that focus on only one piece of the process, we provide comprehensive, hands-on support from trust administration through real estate, downsizing, and property transitions. We become a single point of contact, helping families move forward with clarity and confidence.
Can attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors refer clients to you?
Absolutely. We frequently partner with professional advisors who want a trusted resource to handle the day-to-day logistics while they focus on their area of expertise.
What types of properties do you handle?
We assist with primary residences, vacation homes, rental properties, condominiums, and other residential real estate involved in trusts and estates. We also handle commercial property.
How do I get started?
Simply contact Heirloom Consulting to schedule a consultation. We’ll learn about your situation, explain how we can help, and develop a plan tailored to your family’s needs.
Fiduciary Consulting
(for Trustees, Powers of Attorney, Personal Representatives)
What does a fiduciary consultant do?
An fiduciary consultant coordinates the practical aspects of estate and trust administration, including real estate, timelines, vendors, and communication among professionals.
How is fiduciary consulting different from attorney services?
Fiduciary consultants coordinate logistics and implementation. Attorneys provide legal advice and legal representation.
When should someone hire a fiduciary consultant?
When an estate involves multiple assets, real estate, family coordination, or complex project management, or when a trustee, personal representative or agent under durable power of attorney isn’t sure what to do or where to start.
Does Heirloom help trustees, personal representatives and agents under durable power of attorney?
Yes. Heirloom provides guidance, coordination, and support throughout estate and trust administration, as well as during one's lifetime when acting as agent for durable power of attorney.
Family Transitions
How do I help my parents downsize?
Create a plan, establish priorities, coordinate professionals, and make decisions one step at a time.
When should someone move to senior living?
The right time depends on safety, health, support needs, and personal goals. It may also be triggered by a recent fall or injury.
What should families do after a parent dies?
Secure the property, locate important documents, notify appropriate parties, clean out the refrigerator and garbage, and begin organizing the estate administration process.
What happens to a house when someone moves into assisted living?
Families will evaluate whether to retain, rent, or sell the property based on financial, legal, and personal considerations.
What is estate transition planning?
Estate transition planning coordinates the practical steps involved in managing property, assets, and family responsibilities during major life changes.
Where do we even begin?
Start by identifying the decision makers, the assets, and the professionals already involved. Then work through one step at a time.
Who coordinates everything?
Families often benefit from having one person oversee the moving parts so everyone is working toward the same goal.
Do I need to empty the house first?
Not necessarily. It's usually better to make a plan before removing anything.
Can you help if we live out of state?
Yes. Many trustees and families we work with do not live near the property.
Can one company help with the entire process?
That's exactly what Heirloom was built to do—coordinate the practical side of estate and trust transitions.
Do you work with families?
Yes. We work directly with families, trustees, executors, and aging adults.
What makes estate transitions so overwhelming?
There are often dozens of decisions happening at once. Having a plan and experienced guidance makes the process much more manageable.
Trustee & Trust Administration
What does a trustee actually do?
A trustee is responsible for carrying out the instructions in the trust. That can include managing investments, maintaining a home, paying bills, working with professionals, keeping records, and eventually distributing assets to the beneficiaries. Every trust is different, but the trustee is responsible for making sure everything is handled properly.
How do you sell a house that's in a trust?
The first step is confirming that the trustee has the authority to sell the property. From there, the process is much like any other home sale, but there are additional trust documents, legal requirements, and fiduciary responsibilities involved.
I was just named trustee. Where do I start?
Start by gathering the trust documents, identifying the assets, securing any real estate, and making a list of the professionals involved. Don't feel like you have to know everything on day one.
Can a trustee sell a house?
Yes, if the trust gives the trustee that authority. Selling a home in a trust involves legal documents, real estate decisions, and coordination with the other professionals involved.
Does a trustee get paid?
Many trustees are entitled to reasonable compensation. The trust document and state law usually determine how trustee compensation is handled.
What records should a trustee keep?
Keep records of every major decision, expense, deposit, communication, and distribution. Good records protect both the trustee and the beneficiaries.
Can a trustee hire professionals?
Absolutely. Trustees commonly work with attorneys, accountants, real estate professionals, appraisers, and other specialists.
How long does trust administration take?
Every trust is different. The timeline depends on the assets involved, tax issues, real estate, and whether there are beneficiary disputes.
Should I repair an inherited house before selling?
Not always. It depends on the condition of the property, the local market, and the goals of the estate or trust.
Who is responsible for maintaining the property?
The trustee, executor, or personal representative is generally responsible for protecting the property until it is distributed or sold.
What if beneficiaries disagree about selling?
The trustee should follow the trust document, fulfill fiduciary duties, and communicate openly while working with legal counsel when needed.
How is an inherited home valued?
A market analysis or appraisal can help determine fair market value based on current conditions.
How long does it take to sell an estate home?
The timeline depends on legal authority, property condition, market conditions, and buyer demand.
What documents are needed to sell a trust property?
Typically, proof of trustee authority, trust documentation, title information, and standard closing documents are required.
Do you only sell estate homes?
No. We also help trustees and families plan, coordinate, and prepare the property so the sale goes as smoothly as possible.
What is fiduciary duty?
A fiduciary duty means putting the interests of the beneficiaries ahead of your own and making thoughtful, well-documented decisions.
What is an independent trustee?
An independent trustee is a neutral third party who administers a trust objectively and according to its terms.
What if I feel overwhelmed as a trustee?
You're not alone. Most trustees have never done this before. Having experienced professionals guide the process can prevent costly mistakes.