If you have been bereaved recently, you will be going through all the associated emotions of shock, anger and sadness. Grief is a long process and it can be difficult to concentrate on the things that need to be done. It is important, however, that you settle the estate as soon as possible so that you can move on with your life, and so that you know where you stand in terms of property, money and other assets.

Whether the deceased person had made a will or died intestate, someone will still need to sort out their affairs. In many cases, this will include a property. It may be a property that is empty now that the owner has died, or it may be the property that you and your family are currently living in. There are several factors that may affect the options open to you, depending on your circumstances:

• Outstanding mortgage – many people now have life assurance. This type of policy is designed to pay off the mortgage if the policy owner dies before the term of the mortgage has expired. If no life assurance is in place, the beneficiaries of the will, or the beneficiary declared by the courts will be responsible for ensuring that mortgage payments are made.

• Location of the property – a property that you are currently living in, or that is close to your own home may be relatively easy to look after. If you are dealing with a property that is at a distance from where you live, it becomes more complicated. You will have to travel to maintain the property, or appoint someone local to clean and maintain it for you. Both of these solutions add to your expenses.

• Condition of the property – the property may need some maintenance, updating or structural repairs. You need to consider whether it is worth investing in this work in order to sell the house or rent it out. In many cases, you may not recover the money you have to spend.

One of the easiest ways to sort out the property element of the estate is to sell it as quickly as possible. That way, you can add a lump sum to the estate which can then be divided fairly between any beneficiaries. This allows you to settle one of the most complex parts of the estate without any additional stress.

If you need help to get a faster sale for your property so you can settle the estate, contact us at Discount Property Auction. We're committed to helping you, whatever your circumstances. If you want to sell your home, you can use our dedicated online auction facility, which allows you to upload your property yourself and put it in front of genuine, interested buyers. Call us now on 0800 1313 999 or email admin@discountpropertyauction.co.uk to arrange a valuation today.