New Jersey estate facts · Carrying costs
What should we do about insurance on a parent's empty house?
The short answer
Call the insurance company. Many homeowner's policies treat a vacant house differently, and coverage can change after a home has been empty for a while.
The details
A house that sits empty during an estate is at higher risk of burst pipes, break-ins and unnoticed damage, and many standard homeowner's policies limit or change coverage for vacant homes.
The executor or administrator should let the insurer know the owner has passed away and the house is vacant, and ask what's needed to keep it properly covered.
Simple steps help too: keep the heat on in winter, stop mail, and have someone check on the house regularly.
Related estate facts
Other questions families ask.
Do property taxes still have to be paid while an estate is being settled?
Yes. New Jersey property taxes keep coming due while an estate is open, generally on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1.
Read the answer → Selling the houseDoes a house with a private well need a water test before it's sold in New Jersey?
Yes. Under New Jersey's Private Well Testing Act, the well water is tested before the sale, and both buyer and seller review the results before closing.
Read the answer → Estate administrationHow long do creditors have to make a claim against a New Jersey estate?
Generally nine months from the date of death. Creditors present claims to the executor or administrator in writing and under oath.
Read the answer →Talk to a real person
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