Estate planning &
settlement resources

Learn how to report a death to Social Security in January 2026. Call 1-800-772-1213, return overpayments, and get certified death certificates for estate settlement.

In the days after her father’s death, Sofia Morales became the default executor, translator and decision-maker. During the hardest year of her life, Elayne helped provide the needed structure and support.

When a business owner dies, their business entities don't automatically dissolve, they continue existing legally and generate tax filing obligations until formally closed through proper channels. Failing to close business entities correctly can result in ongoing tax liabilities, penalties for unfiled returns, and complications with estate closure.

Estate administration involves filing multiple tax returns with different agencies, deadlines, and requirements, from the deceased's final individual return to estate income and estate tax returns. Missing a required filing or losing track of submission status can trigger penalties, interest charges, and complications with probate court closure.

Cloud storage services hold decades of irreplaceable photos, critical financial documents, business files, and creative work that families need to preserve after someone dies. However, these accounts continue charging monthly fees and remain vulnerable to unauthorized access until executors identify and secure them.

Email accounts are the digital keys to someone's entire online life, they unlock bank accounts, investment portfolios, social media, subscriptions, and countless other services through password reset links. When someone dies, these accounts remain active and vulnerable to unauthorized access, making them prime targets for identity theft and fraud.

The average person maintains 10 to 20 active subscriptions across streaming services, cloud storage, software, and digital memberships, collectively costing hundreds of dollars monthly. These recurring charges are ongoing estate obligations that must be systematically addressed.

Digital wallets and payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle have become essential financial tools for millions of people. When someone dies, these accounts often contain real money that belongs to the estate, but they're also vulnerable to unauthorized access and fraud.

Loyalty points and rewards programs represent hidden value in many estates, and can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. However, these benefits don't automatically transfer to heirs after death. Each program has unique policies about what happens to accumulated points when a member dies, and many programs forfeit unused rewards entirely if executors don't act quickly.

Domain names and website hosting plans continue renewing automatically after someone dies, these digital assets require the same careful attention as physical property, executors must identify all domains, decide their fate, and either transfer ownership or cancel services to stop unnecessary charges.

Modern estates involve dozens of digital accounts, without a systematic approach to tracking these accounts, executors often discover recurring charges months after death, lose access to important photos or documents, or simply forget which accounts were closed and which remain open.

This final stage requires careful accounting, court approval, and proper documentation to protect you from future liability. In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly how to close an estate, what the court needs to see, and why getting the final accounting right matters.

The notice to the creditor protects both the estate and you personally, but the process involves coordinating with courts, newspapers, and strict deadlines. In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly how to publish a notice to creditors, what it accomplishes, and why getting it right matters for closing the estate.

After a loved one dies, one of the first questions families ask is whether they can avoid probate altogether. Many states offer simplified procedures, commonly called small estate affidavits, that allow modest estates to bypass the time and expense of full probate court proceedings.

Locating all bank and investment accounts is one of your first major responsibilities as executor. This foundational work affects probate requirements, tax filings, debt payments, and distributions. Missing accounts can delay the entire process and expose you to personal liability.

One of the most demanding tasks you'll face as executor is creating a complete inventory of the deceased's assets and debts for the probate court. This document is more than a simple checklist, it becomes the official financial snapshot of the estate and influences nearly every step that follows.

One of the most legally critical steps in estate administration is formally notifying heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors about the death and the opening of probate. This isn't just about keeping people informed, it's a legal safeguard that gives interested parties the opportunity to assert their rights while protecting you as executor from future claims.

Learn how to identify, cancel, and document physical memberships and clubs after a loved one’s death including gyms, social clubs, roadside assistance, and other paid memberships, so the estate avoids unnecessary charges and recovers any refundable amounts.

Learn how to identify, cancel, and document charitable, religious, and fraternal memberships after a loved one’s death, how to stop recurring donations, and how to handle outstanding pledges responsibly during estate administration.

Learn how to identify, return, and document leased equipment after a loved one’s death including internet and cable devices, security systems, and medical equipment, so the estate avoids unnecessary fees and billing disputes.

Learn how to identify, resolve, and document local and community obligations after a loved one’s death, including HOA dues, library accounts, parking permits, and local fines so they don’t delay estate settlement or create surprise problems later.

Learn how to track every claim submitted after a loved one’s death, what information to record, how to follow up effectively, and why strong claim tracking can prevent delays, missed benefits, and unnecessary stress during estate administration.

Learn notice to creditors requirements, state deadlines, and filing steps for executors. Get publication costs, claim periods, and direct notification rules (December 2025).

Learn how executor authority is confirmed after a loved one’s death, how to obtain and use Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, and why managing certified copies is critical to moving an estate forward.