Detailed answer — practical steps under Nevada law

When a person dies, the legal right to possession and control of their property usually passes to the estate. In Nevada, the court-appointed personal representative (often called an administrator or executor) has the legal authority to collect, protect, and distribute estate assets. Until the court issues letters appointing a personal representative, no one (including heirs or siblings) has the lawful authority to take or permanently remove estate property. Below are clear, practical steps you can take immediately and legal options you can pursue under Nevada law.

Immediate, non-confrontational preservation steps

• Document the condition of the property: take comprehensive photos and video (timestamped if possible) of every room, doors, windows, garages, sheds, and obvious valuables.
• Create an itemized inventory: walk room-by-room and list high-value items (electronics, jewelry, firearms, vehicles, heirlooms). Note serial numbers, make/model, and approximate value when you can.
• Keep a copy of keys and change digital access: collect any keys, garage openers, and login credentials you lawfully possess. Back up digital photos and an inventory to cloud storage or a trusted off-site location.
• Secure the property physically without taking disputed items: if the home is at immediate risk (break-ins, vandalism), you may secure doors and windows or install temporary alarm/surveillance. Avoid removing or hiding other people’s property because that can create disputes.
• Send a written preservation request: calmly notify siblings and known heirs in writing (email plus certified mail if you want proof) asking everyone to preserve the property and not remove items until the court decides. Keep a copy of that communication.
• Avoid physical confrontation: do not attempt to physically stop someone from taking items if you might escalate to violence. Instead, document the removal and contact law enforcement if theft is occurring.

When to involve law enforcement

If you see someone actively removing items that belong to the decedent without permission, contact the local police and report suspected theft. Police can intervene for criminal activity even before probate. Document the officer’s name, badge number, and report number.

Short-term legal interventions in Nevada

If you face immediate risk of loss or dissipation of estate property, Nevada courts provide emergency remedies and the probate court can appoint a temporary or special administrator to protect estate assets while the full probate is pending. You or another interested person can file a petition asking the probate court for interim relief. Common options include:

• Petition for appointment of a temporary or special administrator (sometimes called temporary letters of administration) so that someone has legal authority to secure and inventory the estate right away.
• Ex parte emergency relief or an order for exclusive possession of the residence if there is a high risk of asset loss or waste (you may need to show urgent necessity to get relief without full notice).
• Restraining order or contempt motion against a relative who is removing estate property after receiving a court preservation demand.

To find the correct probate forms and filing instructions for your county and the Nevada probate court process, start at the Nevada Courts self-help and probate pages: https://www.nvcourts.gov/self_help/. For Nevada statutes and the legal framework that governs appointment of personal representatives and duties in estate administration, see the Nevada Revised Statutes index: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/.

How appointment helps: what a court-appointed administrator can legally do

Once the court issues letters appointing you as administrator, you will have legal authority to:

• Inventory and appraise estate assets.
• Take possession of and secure the decedent’s house, vehicles, bank accounts, and personal property.
• File actions to recover estate property wrongfully taken.
• Pay valid debts and distribute assets under the probate court’s guidance.

Practical timeline and expectations in Nevada

Probate timelines vary by county and case complexity. If urgent preservation is needed, request temporary appointment or emergency relief from the court — that can sometimes be resolved quickly. Regular letters of administration can take longer. Work with the clerk’s office at the probate court for local filing details: use the Nevada Courts self-help page above and the county court website where the decedent lived.

When to hire an attorney

Consider a probate attorney if:

• Property is being removed or destroyed and you need emergency court intervention.
• Heirs dispute who should be appointed or how property should be handled.
• The estate owns complex or high-value assets, or there may be creditor claims or tax issues.

A lawyer can prepare the necessary petition for letters of administration, request temporary authority, and obtain court orders to preserve the estate.

Key Nevada resources

• Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) — statute index and full text: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/
• Nevada Courts — self-help and probate information and local court contacts: https://www.nvcourts.gov/self_help/

Short summary: Document everything, secure the property without removing contested items, notify heirs in writing, contact law enforcement if theft is happening, and seek a temporary court appointment or emergency order from the Nevada probate court if items are at risk. Once the court issues letters appointing you as administrator, you will have clear authority to inventory and protect estate assets.

Disclaimer: This article explains general Nevada probate principles and practical steps. It is not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, contact a licensed Nevada probate attorney or the probate clerk in the county where the decedent lived.

Helpful Hints

• Make multiple backups of photos and the inventory; store one off-site or in the cloud.
• Use certified mail or email read receipts when sending preservation requests to create a paper trail.
• Do not change locks or remove items unless you have legal authority or a written agreement with other heirs—doing so can create legal claims against you.
• If you suspect immediate theft, call the police and get a report number before filing anything with probate court.
• Ask the probate clerk which local forms to use; clerks can often provide filing requirements without giving legal advice.
• If siblings ask for access to collect personal effects, consider arranging a supervised visit to avoid disputes and to document what is taken.
• Keep receipts for any expenses to secure the property (locks, security systems); those may be reimbursable from the estate when you are administrator.