Estate planning &
settlement resources

Understand how timeshares pass through an estate, what happens to ongoing fees, and whether beneficiaries have to accept ownership. This guide explains options for transferring, declining, or returning a timeshare after someone dies.

Learn how long to hold on to a loved one’s tax returns and which records matter most. This guide explains the timelines, exceptions, and documents you should keep to help protect the estate and avoid future tax issues.

Learn how Social Security handles benefits after someone dies and what steps you must take to stop payments. This guide explains how to report the death, return overpayments, and confirm that updates are made correctly.

Notifying Experian helps prevent identity theft and keeps the estate’s accounts secure. This guide explains the documents you need, how to send the request, and the steps to take with all three credit bureaus.

Learn how Medicare processes death notifications through the Social Security Administration. This guide explains how to report a death, confirm coverage closures, and prevent billing or fraud issues.

Learn how the Deceased Do Not Contact List helps reduce marketing mail and protect personal information after a loved one’s passing. This guide also explains how to work with USPS, credit bureaus, and other resources to stop unwanted mail.

Funeral programs help guide guests during a service, and are a lasting tribute to the person who passed. In this guide, we cover writing the program’s content, choosing the layout, and adding meaningful details that honor your loved one’s life.

Learn what the law allows when handling a deceased person’s car and why driving without authority can lead to serious issues. This guide walks through required documents, insurance rules, and the steps needed before using or selling the vehicle.

Placing an obituary is a meaningful way to honor a loved one’s life and share service details with others. This guide walks you through writing an obituary, choosing where to publish, and what costs to expect.

Learn what an executor does when managing an estate. This guide outlines their key duties, and the documents needed to carry out a loved one’s final wishes.

Our founding design engineer, Emi Rohn, shares how thoughtful design can support families who’ve lost a loved one. She reflects on building products that are simple to use, and attentive to each family’s needs.

Crypto doesn’t automatically transfer like a bank account, and without clear access, it can be lost forever. This guide explains how to secure your digital assets, and include them in your estate plan.

Digital estate planning helps protect everything from crypto to cloud photos. Learn how to secure online assets so they remain safe and accessible for your loved ones.

Learn what to do with a loved one’s passport after they pass away and why canceling it is recommended. This guide walks through cancellation steps, mailing instructions, and what to do if the death occurred overseas.

Learn how to update or close a Medicaid account after a loved one’s passing. These steps are designed to help you manage the process, and keep track of the relevant paperwork. 

Many estates close within one to two years, but the exact timeline depends on complexity, state laws, and how efficiently tasks are handled. This guide explains what affects the duration of an estate’s settlement, and how to keep the process on track.

If your loved one served in the military, you may be eligible for financial, burial, health, or education benefits. This guide explains which documents you’ll need, how to apply, and what to expect once your claim is submitted.

Learn how Elayne protects your information, and uses the same security standards as major banks. We also cover why that commitment is so important to us, and how safety is woven into everything we do.

When a 529 account owner or beneficiary passes away, the plan needs to be formally updated to stay valid. This guide walks through how to identify the account, submit transfer paperwork, and confirm the new ownership or beneficiary

Learn how to close Medicare coverage after a loved one’s passing. This guide walks you through reporting the death, ending private Medicare plans, and confirming that all accounts are closed.

Employer benefits can include retirement accounts, stock plans, or life insurance that families may not be aware of. This guide explains how to find them, file claims, and understand what to expect at each step.

Understanding how a 401(k) is handled after death can make a difficult task feel more manageable. Here’s what to expect, who to contact, and how to keep the process on track.

Learn how to notify the IRS after a death, file final tax returns, and claim any refunds. Includes key IRS forms, steps, and guidance for executors and spouses.

If you’ve lost someone and aren’t sure whether they had a 401(k), pension, or other retirement benefits, here’s how to find out — plus what survivor benefits might apply, and who to contact for help.