How it works.

One step at a time.

You may be settling an estate, downsizing, or simply wondering about your options. Start where you are.

A place to start.

Every estate is different. These are the conversations that help you understand what comes next.

Tell us what’s on your mind.
Share a little about the estate and what you need help with. You don’t need an inventory or all the answers to reach out.
Talk through your options.
Discuss your priorities, the items involved, and any timing concerns with Marianne. Ask questions about the approach, costs, and what an estate sale could involve.
Decide on the next step.
Before moving ahead, agree on the scope and the details. Your consultation is a chance to understand the options for your situation.

Questions you may already have.

Do I need to sort everything before reaching out?

No. You do not need to clean, organize, price, or make an inventory before contacting us. In fact, it is often best to let us see the estate as it is. Simply remove personal documents, medications, photographs, and anything the family plans to keep. We will help determine the next steps.

What does an estate sale cost?

Compassion Estates receives an agreed percentage of the sale proceeds. The exact percentage and any additional services are discussed and approved before work begins.

How long does the process take?

Most estate sales require approximately two to four weeks from the initial consultation through the completed sale. The timeline depends on the size of the estate, the preparation needed, access, and the family’s deadlines.

What happens to items that don’t sell?

Possible paths for remaining items include donation, consignment, continued online selling, family pickup, or an agreed cleanout. The family should understand the chosen options and any added cost before the sale.

Where do you work?

Compassion Estates serves North Georgia and the greater Atlanta metropolitan area, including Cumming, Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek, Suwanee, Buford, Gainesville, Dawsonville, and surrounding communities. If the property is outside our usual service area, contact us—we may still be able to help.

Help for the situation you are facing.

Start with the reason behind the transition. These pages explain the practical decisions that come first.

Downsizing

Decide what moves, what stays, and how sale preparation fits the schedule.

After a death

Protect personal items and give the family a careful next-step process.

Probate

Coordinate legal authority with the practical work of an estate sale.

Senior moves

Keep the person moving at the center of family and household decisions.

Antique collections

Preserve records and compare sale, dealer, auction, and specialist paths.

Full-house projects

Put sale, donation, family pickup, and possible cleanout in the right order.

Straight answers before you decide.

Use these guides to compare options, understand costs and timing, and prepare without doing work twice.

Estate sale or auction?

Compare reach, timing, fees, seller involvement, and best-fit situations.

Estate sale or cleanout?

Compare value recovery with fast removal and learn how the two can work in sequence.

Estate sale or dealer?

Compare a one-buyer offer with a marketed household sale.

Choosing a company

Review contracts, questions, trust signals, accounting, and warning signs.

What companies charge

Understand percentage compensation, added services, and proposal comparisons.

How long a sale takes

See the usual two-to-four-week sequence and what can change it.

What sells

Learn how category, condition, demand, completeness, and provenance affect suitability.

Preparing the home

Protect personal material, pause disposal, and get ready for the walkthrough.

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

If you’re wondering where to begin, start with a conversation. Tell Marianne a little about your situation.

Request a consultation