These situations are so sad. But the main thing is assembling the cash to take care of the family member who needs it. Friends of mine who are former antique dealers say that persuading someone to get an appraisal when they just want everything gone is tough.
Sterling- that’s easy. For the most part, the values online are accurate so nobody is selling a service for 12 with serving pieces for $99 plus a battered box. But furniture, sculpture, the heavy stuff- the family just needs it gone as quickly as possible.