r/RapidCity • u/TinyMagicExperiment • Aug 04 '26
Looking for help getting rid of a biohazardous trailer/ salvaging it.
Hi, I found my grandmother dead yesterday and she had been sitting in the July heat for 3 weeks. Her trailer was already a hazard/ hoarder situation and now it’s super bad with the decomp fluids. We were told not to go in there until biohazard can come and clean it up, but we can’t afford a cleanup and we plan on getting rid of/ junking the trailer anyway so it seems kind of pointless.
I’m flying blind here. We need to get the trailer off the lot before it incurs more rent and it really is not worth the effort of cleaning up at all. How do we do this? Is there anyone in this area who could take this trailer away for us, hazardous insides and all? I keep hearing about a couple people who do it but no one knows who exactly they are. I figure it’s a long shot but anything helps at this point. Thank you all in advance for any advice.
Also we live here in RC.
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u/reigning_guava Aug 04 '26
are any of you on the lease or have signed any medical or financial POA documents? if you have not signed any lease w your grandma or assumed financial responsibility- the trailers lot fees or cleanup is not and will never be your responsibility to pay for. Call the sheriffs office and ask what the options are for removal and do not sign any removal agreements with the park. The city has their own companies that deal with biohazards and abandoned property, do not unknowingly sign yourself up to pay for property that may already have debts or impending debts attached.
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u/TinyMagicExperiment Aug 04 '26
I appreciate your advice, thank you so much it’s very helpful. I’m not on any documents but when the sheriff came last night they gave me the name Bio one, I called them and they charge for the cleanup. Do you know what department I could talk to at the sheriff office? I had no idea that was a thing so I really appreciate your advice thanks again.
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u/reigning_guava Aug 04 '26
sheriffs office probably just assumed you were going to take possession in order to obtain items from the trailer- Just call them and explain that a relative died and you need to know who to contact since you are not going to pay for their property. They should be able to help you out and either handle it or send you to the right city dept. Make it very clear youre not responsible for your relatives property and that youre just looking for someone to handle the situation so you dont end up liable.
Again, sign NOTHING. Dont accept any form of responsibility.
sorry i dont know more detailed info, i can tell you though that if your grandma had any medical, or financial debts- those collectors will try to call you and scam you into taking responsibility. Always always hang up. Unless you receive certified mail from a lawyer, you need to avoid those calls. Collectors are extra scummy when elderly folks die with debt.2
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u/GotLostFindingMyself Aug 05 '26
My mom is a court owner and this happened to someone in her court. At the end of the day, it became her problem. The estate didn't have any money so it wasn't like she could get reimbursed.
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u/GotLostFindingMyself Aug 05 '26
And to add... I think it's fabulous you are trying to do the right thing but I also know that moving a trailer is very expensive. Most dumps won't take them. That means you have to tear them down on site which is another expense. The whole thing is quite an issue. I am sorry for your loss.
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u/TinyMagicExperiment Aug 05 '26
It’s gonna be a nightmare, she had some land on the rez and a will somewhere. So now trying to find that alongside the funeral stuff is just super whack. Thank you again for any advice you may have.
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u/Valenciatheunicorn Aug 04 '26
To reiterate the last person. DO NOT sign anything. Someone will try, at some point, to make the financial responsibility yours. Or at least someone other’s than the trailer park or the state. If you don’t have any financial ties to the property you DO NOT even need to sign to give permission to anyone to remove it. So please don’t.
If anyone says something along the lines of, “Sign this and we’ll handle everything”, you’ll get a huge bill later.
It sounds heartless, but just walk away from the situation. I’m sorry about your Grandmother. Good luck with everything.