Executor Tools

First 30 days

1. Get 10-20 certified copies of death certificate (funeral home orders).
2. Locate the will and any trust documents.
3. Notify Social Security (1-800-772-1213). Stop benefits.
4. Notify pension/401k providers.
5. Tell banks. They'll freeze accounts pending probate.
6. Contact life insurance.
7. Start a "Date of Death" file — every account balance, every bill.

Helpful tools

• Everplans — $89/yr digital filing cabinet for end-of-life docs. Saves hours.
• EstateExec — $169/yr software walks you through executor duties. State-specific.
• Trustworthy — $200/yr family info hub.
• Local probate attorney — $1,500-5,000 typical. Worth it for estates over $250K.
• USPS Mail Forwarding — forward mail to executor for 1 year.
• Credit bureau notification — flag deceased to prevent ID theft.

Probate — file in 60-90 days

1. File the will with local probate court (county courthouse).
2. Court issues "Letters Testamentary" — proves you're executor.
3. Inventory all assets.
4. Pay debts (60-180 days for creditors to file claims).
5. File final tax return (IRS Form 1040 + Form 1041 if estate income).
6. Distribute assets to heirs.
7. File final probate accounting.
8. Court closes estate.

Typical timeline: 6-18 months. Complex estates: 2-5 years.

Don't skip these contacts

• IRS — request final return / Form 706 if estate > $13.6M (2025).
• Veterans Affairs — burial benefits ($300-2,000 for vets).
• Equifax + Experian + TransUnion — flag deceased.
• Credit cards — close accounts.
• Email + social — see /tools/memorial-facebook-guide.
• Phone, internet, streaming, magazine subscriptions.
• Utilities — transfer to surviving spouse or close.
• HOA + property tax assessor.

Common executor mistakes

• Distributing assets BEFORE paying creditors → you become personally liable.
• Co-mingling estate funds with own — open a SEPARATE estate checking account.
• Missing tax deadlines.
• Selling property too fast — heirs may want to keep it.
• Not communicating with beneficiaries — leads to lawsuits.
• Doing everything alone — hire CPA + attorney for complex estates.