I’m a landlord with questions about the probate process USA

Unfortunately, one of my tenants has passed away. He was a hoarder. I have been trying to deal with his son, but so far every conversation has been relatively contentious because I changed the locks. The son is a bit paranoid and keeps saying that lawyers and the legal system are fraudulent, and that me changing the locks is evidence of some sort of Freemason conspiracy. So I’m struggling to be patient with him.

The sun was estranged from the dead. He really doesn’t seem to want anything out of the estate. I don’t think they had much contact in the past 20 years at least in addition to just collecting junk. The dad collected other things that are inside the house and are quite valuable. My guess is at least $20,000 worth of these things.

My priority is getting the apartment cleaned out and returned to rentable condition. I suspect the cost to do so is going to be between 10 and $15,000. I do have one bid in hand for the clean out.

My question is about the probate process. The things that are inside the apartment are not easily trackable and I doubt there’s enough cash or other assets in the estate that I’d be able to make a claim against the estate. I want these items itemized before they are removed or otherwise accounted for and away that ensures that I get paid . Is there a way for me to do that? Have considered asking that they be removed to a secure storage location before I grant access.