The Executor's Guide shows someone who's wrapping up a loved one's estate how to proceed, step by step. It explains what must be done right away and what can wait, and guides readers through a land of unfamiliar legal procedures and terminology.





It covers:



preparing for the job of executor or trustee

the first steps to take

claiming life insurance, Social Security, and other benefits

making sense of a will

what to do if there is no will

how to determine whether probate is necessary--it may not be!

managing assets a child inherits

taxes

an overview of probate court proceedings

what you can do to avoid disputes with family members

handling trusts

looking up your state's laws, and

working with lawyers, appraisers, accountants and other experts.




The Executor's Guide contains tables that outline key points of each state's laws, the latest information on estate tax laws, and helpful worksheets.