Handover Process
From first consultation to bound delivery — our documentation process explained.
How We Prepare Your Handover Packet
Every engagement follows the same structured process, adjusted for the scope of your assets. The timeline below reflects a typical Full Estate Handover Packet.
Initial Consultation
We meet at your home or office for up to two hours. You walk us through what you hold — property, vault contents, valuables, papers — and where each item lives. We ask follow-up questions about keys, storage units, and family members who may hold duplicates. You receive a written scope document within three business days.
Scope Agreement and Deposit
Once you approve the scope, we schedule field documentation visits and request a 40% deposit. The scope document lists every location we will visit, every category we will document, and the fixed fee for the engagement.
Field Documentation
Our archivist visits each location on your list. We photograph valuables, copy deeds, note vault box numbers, and record access instructions. For property, we photograph exteriors and note boundary markers. This phase typically spans two weeks with two to four visits.
Draft Review
At the end of week three, we present a draft inventory for your review. You verify accuracy, add missing items, and correct any errors. A 40% payment is due at this meeting. Revisions are included; scope expansions are quoted separately.
Assembly and Binding
We compile indexed sections, cross-reference entries, and prepare three bound copies. An encrypted USB with digital photographs is prepared as a supplementary backup. This phase takes one to two weeks.
Delivery
Three bound copies are delivered: one for you, one for your designated executor, one for our archive. The final 20% payment is due upon delivery. We schedule a brief walkthrough of the packet contents if you wish.
What You Should Prepare
- Gather all keys, including unlabelled ones
- List every property address and storage location
- Identify your designated executor and confirm their willingness to receive a copy
- Collect any existing inventories, appraisals, or prior documentation
- Allow uninterrupted access during scheduled visit windows