The first thing is you don't have to do everything this week. The house isn't going anywhere, and neither is the mail, not really. Start with a walk-through and take photos of every room before you move a single thing. That helps later if anyone asks what was there, and it helps you remember. Then secure the place. Lock the doors, check the windows, and if it's going to sit empty for a while, tell the neighbors so they keep an eye out. In Sacramento County you can ask the sheriff's office about vacation checks, though what they offer depends on where you are. Don't leave a spare key in the usual hiding spot.

Insurance is the piece people forget. Call the homeowner's policy carrier and tell them the owner died. Ask whether the policy stays in force while the estate is being sorted out, and ask what they need from you. Some carriers want the house occupied or checked regularly, some don't care much, and it really depends on the policy. If the house is going to be vacant, say so plainly and get their answer in writing if you can. Don't cancel anything until you know what replaces it.

Utilities and mail are simpler but they pile up. Keep the power and water on, especially in summer, because a house with no air conditioning in Sacramento heat can turn on you fast. You can usually keep accounts in the deceased person's name for a while and pay the bills yourself, but each utility has its own rules, so call and ask. For mail, go to the post office and ask about holding or forwarding it to whoever is handling the estate. That person may need to show paperwork.

Now the paperwork. The deed is usually recorded with the county, so start at the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder and ask how to get a copy. The will might be in the house, in a safe deposit box, or with the lawyer who drafted it. If you can't find it, that's a question for a lawyer, not for guessing. California has its own rules about what happens to a will and how it gets filed, and this is exactly where a lawyer earns their keep. Same with the deed and how title passes. Don't sign anything about the house until someone who knows California probate has looked at it.

And don't sell anything yet. Not the house, not the car, not the good furniture. Early sales cause fights and sometimes tax problems. If money is tight, talk to a CPA about the estate's situation before you liquidate. If you're worried about the mortgage, call the servicer and ask what options exist for an estate, and consider a HUD-approved housing counselor for free guidance. The county can point you toward resources too. Take it one week at a time. The house has waited this long.

This is covered in more detail at the first 90 days with a parent's house.