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What to do if…
you cannot find keys to a home after a death and the property seems unsecured

Short answer

Make the home physically secure (or have it secured) and limit access to one responsible person, while creating a basic record of what you found and what you changed.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t break in (window/door damage) unless there is an immediate safety emergency.
  • Don’t let multiple relatives “drop by to help” before you control keys and access — it can lead to missing items and disputes.
  • Don’t start “sorting” or moving belongings elsewhere unless you are the authorized personal representative/executor — except where you must act to prevent immediate harm/damage (for example, a leak, an obvious fire risk, or spoiled food attracting pests). If you do move anything, note what you moved and why.
  • Don’t assume homeowners insurance automatically covers a vacant or unsecured home.
  • Don’t post details (address, vacancy, missing keys) in texts or social media that could be forwarded.

What to do now

  1. Check immediate safety first. If you think someone may be inside right now, or you feel unsafe approaching, go somewhere safe and call 911. If there are signs of a break-in but it’s not happening now, call your local police non-emergency number for guidance before entering.
  2. Do a quick outside check. Look for open doors/windows, broken glass, pry marks, or anything that suggests forced entry. If something looks disturbed, avoid touching anything and wait for police guidance.
  3. Secure the property fast (lock control beats everything else).
    • If you can’t confirm who has keys, use a licensed locksmith to regain entry (if needed) and re-key or change the locks.
    • If a door/window is damaged, arrange urgent boarding/repair so the home is not left open.
  4. Pick one key-holder and document it. Choose one person (ideally the named executor in the will, or the soon-to-be court-appointed personal representative) to hold all keys. Keep a simple log of who has a key and when it was issued.
  5. Make a simple record right away. Note the date/time you arrived, who was present, what was unsecured (e.g., “back door ajar”), and what actions you took (locksmith, lock change). Take a few photos of entry points and the general condition of main rooms (avoid close-ups of personal items unless something appears stolen/damaged).
  6. Notify the homeowners insurer (or the agent) as soon as practical. Tell them the homeowner died and the home may be vacant/unsecured; ask what steps they require to keep coverage in place (for example, periodic checks, alarm status, water shutoff, etc.). Write down the details of the call.
  7. Protect mail quickly (it’s a theft and fraud risk). If the home is unsecured or mail is piling up, plan to have mail managed by the executor/personal representative. Per USPS, to forward a deceased person’s mail to yourself or another address, you must go in person to a Post Office to submit a change-of-address request and show documented proof you are the appointed executor/administrator — a death certificate alone is not enough.
  8. If helpful, enlist a neighbor for observation, not entry. Ask a trusted neighbor to alert you to unexpected visitors, open doors, or broken windows — but don’t distribute keys widely.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today who inherits what, whether to sell the home, or when to clear it out.
  • You do not need to start a full “inventory of everything” right now — focus on securing access and preventing loss.
  • You do not need to confront family members about missing keys in the moment; reduce risk first, then address questions with the authorized estate representative.

Important reassurance

After a death, it’s common for keys and access to be confusing — especially if friends, caregivers, or relatives had copies. Securing the home and limiting access is a normal, protective move that prevents damage and reduces conflict later.

Scope note

These are first steps to stabilize a potentially unsecured home. Longer-term decisions (authority to enter, handling property, insurance changes, probate steps) depend on who is legally authorized as executor/personal representative.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. If there’s conflict about access or you’re unsure who has authority, limit entry and get guidance from a local probate attorney or the probate court in the county where the person lived/owned property.

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