Independent Deceased Estate Services
Deceased Estate Asset Identification & Recovery
Valuable Possessions and Important Documents Should Not Be Overlooked
We carry out authorised searches of deceased estate properties to identify cash, jewellery, antiques, precious metals, financial documents, sentimental possessions and other items of potential value before house clearance.
UK-wide enquiries • Independent inspections • Quotation provided before instruction
Before the Property Is Cleared
A House Full of Possessions May Contain More Than You Realise
When someone dies, their home may contain decades of accumulated belongings. To a relative or executor unfamiliar with those possessions, it can be difficult to distinguish everyday household clutter from genuinely valuable objects or documents that need to be preserved.
Jewellery may be tucked inside a drawer, cash may have been stored amongst personal papers, and antiques or collectables may be mixed with ordinary household items. An old file could contain a will, share certificate, insurance document or correspondence suggesting the existence of a financial asset.
Our estate asset identification service is designed to examine the contents of a property carefully, record significant discoveries and help authorised estate representatives decide what should happen next.
What We Look For
More Than Antiques and Jewellery
We search for items of financial value, relevant paperwork and possessions that the family or estate representative specifically wants to retain.
01. Jewellery, Gold, Silver & Watches
Rings, necklaces, brooches, watches, gold and silver objects, precious metals, gemstones, coins, medals and other portable valuables that may be stored amongst ordinary possessions.
02. Antiques, Art & Collectables
Antique furniture, ceramics, paintings, clocks, rare books, stamps, decorative objects, militaria and specialist collections. Potentially valuable items can be flagged for further examination or specialist valuation.
03. Cash & Financial Records
Cash found at the property, bank correspondence, savings records, Premium Bonds information, investment statements, share certificates, insurance papers and records that may indicate other assets or liabilities.
04. Wills, Legal Papers & Property Documents
Original wills, letters of wishes, property deeds, trust correspondence, vehicle papers and other documents that may be important to the lawful administration of the estate.
05. Sentimental & Family Possessions
Family photographs, personal correspondence, wedding jewellery, military medals, heirlooms and other items identified by the family or executor as particularly important to preserve.
06. Overlooked Items in Storage Areas
Careful searches of accessible drawers, cupboards, wardrobes, filing cabinets, boxes, lofts, garages and outbuildings within the agreed scope, subject to safety and access conditions.
Our Specialist Approach
An Inspection Before a Clearance Can Make All the Difference
An ordinary house clearance focuses on removing contents. Our asset search focuses first on identifying what those contents may include. We assess items that warrant closer examination, record important documents and flag possessions that should not be discarded without instructions.
Independent by design. ITG & Co. does not purchase items discovered during its inspection and valuation work. Our role is to identify and document assets for the lawful estate representative, not to acquire them for resale.
Our Process
How an Estate Asset Search Works
A structured process with agreed instructions, careful examination and documented findings.
01 — Initial Enquiry
Tell us where the property is located, the approximate size and condition of the contents, and whether you need a general search or are looking for particular possessions or documents.
02 — Written Instructions & Access
We agree the scope, fee and access arrangements, and confirm appropriate authority to enter the property and inspect its contents. Access can be coordinated with the executor, solicitor, administrator or other authorised person.
03 — Systematic Property Search
We work through the agreed, safely accessible areas, examining belongings and storage spaces methodically. Important discoveries are recorded, with particular care given to valuable and sentimental possessions.
04 — Photographic Recording
Significant items are photographed and described. Findings can be recorded with reference numbers and their discovery locations, allowing the estate representative to review what has been identified.
05 — Findings Report
You receive an Estate Asset Discovery Report summarising the agreed search, significant discoveries and items recommended for specialist assessment or further investigation.
06 — Safe Retention & Next Steps
We agree what should remain securely at the property and whether any items need an authorised handover, separate valuation, storage or later clearance. Nothing is sold or disposed of as part of the asset search without specific authority.
Documented Results
Your Estate Asset Discovery Report
Rather than simply receiving a verbal description of what was found, the estate representative receives a written record of significant discoveries made during the search.
Report Contents
✓ Property inspection date and agreed search areas
✓ Descriptions and photographs of significant finds
✓ Item reference numbers and discovery locations, where applicable
✓ Details of important or potentially relevant documents
✓ Items requiring specialist examination or valuation
✓ Recommendations for retention, secure handling or further investigation
An asset discovery report identifies findings; it is not automatically a formal probate valuation, legal opinion or confirmation of ownership.
When Is an Asset Search Particularly Useful?
An inspection may be especially helpful when the estate contains extensive or unfamiliar possessions.
Cluttered or heavily furnished homes — where objects or documents may be difficult to identify without organised sorting.
Families living far away — where the executor cannot easily spend time examining the property.
Properties awaiting clearance or sale — where important items should be identified before anything is removed.
Estates with antiques or collections — where the value of objects may not be obvious to the person administering the estate.
Professional and unclaimed estate instructions — where a documented inventory and asset identification process may be required.
Fees & Instructions
A Clear Quotation Before Work Begins
Every estate is different. The time required depends on the property’s location and size, the volume of possessions, the condition of the premises and the areas to be searched.
We discuss your requirements and provide a quotation for the agreed inspection before any work is undertaken. Probate valuations, transport, storage and house clearance are separate services where required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be present during the property search?
Not necessarily. Where appropriate authority and access arrangements have been established, an inspection may be arranged without the client attending in person. We will agree the procedure beforehand.
Can you look for specific possessions or documents?
Yes. You can tell us about particular items, including jewellery, family photographs, wills, financial papers or sentimental belongings, that you would like us to look for during the agreed search.
What happens if valuables are discovered?
Significant discoveries are documented and reported to the authorised estate representative. Their retention, handling, secure transfer or further valuation is then agreed. Discoveries are not automatically sold or used to offset our fees.
Can you search a heavily cluttered property?
We welcome enquiries involving heavily furnished or cluttered properties. The suitability and scope of a search depend on access, safety conditions and any specialist precautions required.
Do you buy the valuables you find?
No. ITG & Co.’s asset identification service is independent of purchasing estate contents. Valuations, where required, are provided or arranged separately.
Can you also arrange a house clearance?
House clearance can be discussed as a separate instruction after the property has been assessed and the executor or authorised representative has decided what must be retained.
UK-Wide Enquiries Welcome
Make Sure Valuable Estate Assets Are Not Overlooked
If you are responsible for a deceased estate and need a thorough, documented search of its contents, contact ITG & Co. to discuss the property and your requirements.
ITG & Co. is an independent estate services business, not a government department, Crown-appointed contractor or regulated law firm. All property searches require appropriate authorisation. Search findings do not establish legal ownership, confirm financial entitlements or replace professional probate or tax valuations. Physical services are subject to location and availability.