Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. If the move involves selling a home, a trust, or a power of attorney, rules vary by state — consult an estate attorney.
TL;DR
- Senior move managers help older adults and families plan and carry out downsizing and relocation — sorting, floor plans, coordinating movers, and settling into the new home.
- Professional organizers help declutter and organize homes; some specialize in seniors, estates, or chronic disorganization.
- Look to professional associations: the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers (NASMM) and the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO), which offers a certification (CPO®).
- Ask about experience, insurance, pricing structure, and vendor relationships, and get a written agreement.
- Browse our organizers directory.
What does a senior move manager do?
Short answer: Helps older adults and families organize, declutter, downsize, relocate, or age in place.
That’s how NASMM describes its members’ work. Services often include:
– Planning the move and timeline
– Floor plans for the new home and deciding what fits
– Sorting belongings into keep, family, sell, donate, and discard
– Coordinating movers, estate sale companies, and cleanout services
– Packing, unpacking, and setting up the new home
What does a professional organizer do?
Short answer: Helps people declutter and set up systems for their homes or papers. Some focus on seniors, estate settlement, or paperwork.
NAPO describes itself as a community for experts in organizing and productivity and offers a searchable directory and a certification program.
Which do you need?
Short answer: A move manager if someone is relocating; an organizer if they’re staying put or you need help sorting before an estate sale or cleanout.
| Situation | Likely fit |
|---|---|
| Parent moving to senior living or a smaller home | Senior move manager |
| Aging in place, home too cluttered to be safe | Organizer or move manager |
| Sorting a deceased parent’s home before a sale | Organizer, estate sale company, or cleanout |
| Overwhelming paperwork | Organizer specializing in paper; plus a CPA for tax records |
What credentials or associations should you look for?
Short answer: Membership in a relevant professional association, a certification where offered, insurance, and verifiable references.
- NASMM — the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers, which offers a “locate a move manager” search.
- NAPO — the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals, which offers certification (members use the CPO® designation) and a directory.
We did not verify specific education or experience requirements for these credentials; check the organizations directly. Association membership isn’t a license, so also check insurance and references.
What questions should you ask?
Short answer: Experience with seniors, scope, pricing, insurance, vendor relationships, and how they communicate with family.
Experience
- How many senior moves or downsizing projects have you handled?
- Can I speak with families you’ve worked with?
- Are you a member of NASMM or NAPO? Any certifications?
Scope
- Which services do you provide directly, and which do you coordinate?
- Will you create a floor plan for the new home?
- Do you unpack and set up the new home?
Pricing
- Do you charge hourly, by project, or both? What’s included?
- Are there charges for supplies, travel, or vendor coordination?
- We couldn’t verify reliable national pricing, so compare written estimates.
Vendors and conflicts
- Do you receive referral fees from movers, estate sale companies, or senior communities? (Ask that it be disclosed.)
- Do you ever buy clients’ items?
Communication and care
- How do you involve the older adult in decisions?
- How do you keep out-of-town family updated?
- Are your staff background-checked and insured?
How does this fit with an estate sale or cleanout?
Short answer: The move manager or organizer typically handles what’s moving and coordinates what’s left: selling, donating, and clearing.
- Plan what moves to the new home
- Family claims keepsakes
- Appraise valuables — see How to Choose an Estate Appraiser
- Move
- Sell the rest — see How to Choose an Estate Sale Company
- Clear out — see How to Choose an Estate Cleanout Company
- List the home — see How to Choose a Probate Realtor (if an estate or trust is involved)
Who can authorize decisions for an older adult?
Short answer: The older adult, if able. Otherwise, someone with legal authority — such as an agent under a power of attorney, a court-appointed guardian or conservator, or a trustee for trust property.
The CFPB publishes free guides for people managing someone else’s money in these roles. Rules vary by state.
Rules vary by state. California is used as an example where state law matters. Check your state court’s official pages, e.g., California, Florida, Texas, Illinois, or the DOJ’s court resources by state.
What are red flags?
Short answer: No written agreement, undisclosed referral fees, pressure on the older adult, or no insurance.
- Vague pricing or no written estimate
- Reluctance to disclose vendor relationships
- Offers to buy belongings cheaply
- Making decisions without involving the older adult
- No references or proof of insurance
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a senior move manager and a mover?
Movers transport belongings. Move managers plan and coordinate the whole process, including sorting, downsizing, and setup.
Is a professional organizer the same as a move manager?
Not exactly. Organizers focus on decluttering and systems; move managers specialize in relocation, often for older adults. Some do both.
How do I find a senior move manager?
Search NASMM’s locator or our organizers directory.
What is a CPO®?
A certification offered through NAPO. Check NAPO directly for requirements.
How much does a senior move manager cost?
We couldn’t verify reliable national figures. Ask for written estimates and what’s included.
Can a move manager help sell belongings?
Many coordinate with estate sale companies, consignment, or donation rather than selling directly.
Who should hire the move manager if my parent can’t decide?
Someone with legal authority, such as an agent under a power of attorney or a guardian. See the CFPB guides.
Sources
- National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers (NASMM): https://www.nasmm.org/
- National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO): https://www.napo.net/
- CFPB — Managing someone else’s money: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/managing-someone-elses-money/
- California Courts Self-Help — Guide to property after someone dies: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate
- Florida Courts — Probate: https://www.flcourts.gov/Courts-System/florida-courts-help/other-resources/probate
- Texas Judicial Branch — Rules & Forms: https://www.txcourts.gov/forms.aspx
- Office of the Illinois Courts — Self Help: https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/self-help/
- U.S. Department of Justice — Court Resources by State: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/ls/state