Detailed Answer — what Delaware law and practice require

When someone dies, the property they owned becomes part of their estate. The personal representative who is appointed by the court (or named in the will and later admitted) controls estate assets and must preserve value, pay valid debts and expenses, and distribute what remains to beneficiaries under the will or by intestacy rules. Delaware law governing decedents’ estates is found in Title 12 of the Delaware Code; general rules about estate administration and fiduciary duties are established there and in Delaware probate practice. See Delaware Code, Title 12: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title12/ and Delaware Register of Wills guidance at https://courts.delaware.gov/register-of-wills/.

Key legal and practical points:

• Estate funds and sale proceeds are estate property. Proceeds from selling estate items (furniture, appliances, vehicles, or real estate) become estate assets. The personal representative may use estate assets to pay reasonable administration expenses before distributing the remainder to beneficiaries.
• Reasonable and necessary expenses are allowed. Cleanup, removal of junk, hazardous waste remediation, securing or winterizing a house, hauling away abandoned personal property, and staging or minor repairs that preserve value or make a sale possible are commonly treated as necessary administration costs. Keep invoices and receipts and document why each expense preserved or increased estate value.
• Authority to spend: check the will or court order. If the will grants the personal representative power to sell property and pay expenses, that authority is usually sufficient. If no express authority exists or beneficiaries object, the personal representative should seek the court’s approval (a limited instruction or order) before spending significant sums. When in doubt, obtain written approval from the probate court or explicit beneficiary consent.
• Priority of payments and creditor claims. Delaware law and probate practice require the personal representative to pay valid creditors and properly presented claims before distributing assets to beneficiaries. Reasonable administration expenses are typically paid ahead of distributions but may be subordinate to secured claims (e.g., a mortgage or lien against real property). Consult the Register of Wills or probate clerk about claim deadlines and notice requirements: https://courts.delaware.gov/register-of-wills/.
• Documentation and transparency are critical. Prepare an inventory, maintain detailed receipts and photos showing the condition of property before and after cleanup, and keep written records of bids and contracts for removal or disposal. This reduces the risk of later beneficiary disputes or claims of misconduct.
• Conflicts of interest and self-dealing are prohibited. A personal representative should avoid hiring themselves, close relatives, or businesses they control to perform large paid cleanup work without full disclosure and, ideally, court approval or competitive bids. If a beneficiary is doing the work at no cost, document the arrangement in writing.
• When to seek court permission. If the expense is large, if beneficiaries object, if the will is silent about sales, or if the asset’s ownership is unclear, ask the probate court for an order authorizing the sale or payment. A court order protects the personal representative from later liability.
• Small estates or simplified procedures. Delaware offers streamlined procedures for small estates or informal administration in many cases. Even so, document any expenses paid and ensure you follow the applicable small-estate rules so reimbursement from proceeds remains proper.

Example hypotheticals (illustrative):

• If a decedent left a house full of debris that prevents sale, the personal representative may hire a junk-removal company and pay from the estate so the listing and sale can proceed. Save the contract, invoices, and before/after photos.
• If a single valuable antique needs professional appraisal and cleaning prior to sale, paying for that from the estate is appropriate when it preserves or increases the asset’s value.
• If a beneficiary wants to remove goods for personal use or claims certain items, obtain written releases and inventory the items to avoid later disputes.

Bottom line: You can use sale proceeds or other estate funds to pay reasonable junk removal, cleanup, and personal property-handling expenses in Delaware, but only when the expenditures are lawful, properly authorized, documented, and prioritized according to probate rules. When in doubt, obtain beneficiary consent or a court order to avoid personal liability.

How to proceed practically — step-by-step checklist

1. Confirm appointment: Make sure the personal representative is formally appointed or has court authority under the will.
2. Inventory and photograph: Record estate items and condition, before cleanup or disposal.
3. Get written estimates: Obtain multiple bids for removal/cleanup for anything over a modest amount.
4. Document necessity: Note how each expense preserves value or enables sale.
5. Pay from estate account: Open a dedicated estate bank account and pay administration costs from that account when possible.
6. Keep receipts: Save all invoices, contracts, and warranties as part of the probate record.
7. Seek approval if uncertain: Ask the probate court or get written beneficiary consent for large or contested expenses.
8. Report in accounting: Include these expenses in the estate accounting and final distribution paperwork.

Helpful Hints

• Always keep detailed before-and-after photos for junk removal and cleanup jobs.
• Use licensed disposal companies for hazardous materials; improper disposal can create liability for the estate and the personal representative.
• Request written waivers from beneficiaries if a beneficiary takes items instead of selling them; value the items and adjust distributions accordingly.
• Small, routine cleanups may not require court approval; expensive or discretionary projects often do.
• If the estate is insolvent (debts exceed assets), consult the probate clerk or an attorney — priorities shift and some cleanup costs may not be paid.
• If the property has mortgages, liens, or secured claims, coordinate with the lienholder because sale proceeds may need to first satisfy those obligations.
• If you anticipate disputes, ask the court for a protective order authorizing the expenditures to limit personal exposure.