re: What happens to homes when occupant passes?

This whole thread makes me glad my parents have their shite together (and planned for) when it comes to such stuff.

Dad is widowed (my step-mom passed away a couple of years ago). His house, worth about $300K, is paid off. My sister and I are the only heirs. Dad recently put a $20K CD for EACH of us in the bank, to be used when he passes, for assorted expenses until the estate is settled. Sis and I will sell/split the proceeds from the house, and the grandkids (almost all just out of college) can have most of the really nice furniture for free as they move into their own places.

Mom's a little different; she and my step-father both still kickin', but step-father has three sons of his own. Mom and stepdad each have usufruct until the other dies, so it won't be until they BOTH pass that my sister and I will split the sale of the house (also paid for and also about $300K) 50/50 with my step-brothers. The step-brothers will also get all of step-fathers investment property, as he had that before he and my mom got married.

The worst part will be going through all the smaller crap that we won't need and what to do with it-- clothes, all the stuff in the attic, towels, linens, pots and pans, framed photos, etc.

I see estate sales in future for that.