Executor Insights

“How to Tell if a Will is Legal and Valid” is part of the Executor Duties 101 series, an occasional series by Executor.org that highlights steps in the process of settling an estate. One of the first duties of an executor after a person dies is determining if they had a will and if so, is…

What is a probate bond? Who needs one? Sam’s mother recently passed, and Sam now must take the necessary steps to finalize his mother’s estate. Sam’s mother did have a will, but she did not name an executor to administrate the will. Sam is very surprised to learn from his attorney that probate court requires…

In September’s  article I explained the meaning and purpose of a probate bond, as well as the usual circumstances in which a probate bond will be required. Essentially a probate bond is a financial guarantee bond issued to protect the interests of heirs and creditors of an estate from the negligence or fraud of the…

“What is Probate?” is part of the Executor Duties 101 series, an occasional series by Executor.org that highlights steps in the process of settling an estate. As new executors, many people ask the basic question, “What is probate?” The entire process can be a bit of a mystery to new executors, so we’ve attempted to…

“Five Tips for Hiring a Realtor” is part of Executor Duties 101, a series by Executor.org that highlights steps in the process of settling an estate.   As an executor you will likely have to oversee the sale of the deceased’s home or property. While you might consider selling the home yourself in hopes of…

“Seven Steps to Writing a Eulogy Speech” is part of Executor Duties 101, a series by Executor.org that highlights steps in the process of settling an estate. When someone dies, it is natural to reflect on their lives and the role they played in yours. If you are named as an executor, you likely had…

As concerns about the environment continue to grow, some people now opt for what is known as a green funeral. In short, green funerals seek to have as little impact on the environment as possible. Those who desire green funerals can make arrangements with funeral homes in advance and some funeral homes even have the…

The Bereavement Cycle™ is the first twelve months after a loved one’s passing. It can be filled with a wide range of emotions as different things remind you of your loved one or which make you feel their absence. But it’s also a cycle that is an important part of the grieving process. For some, like a…

This article by Executor.org also appeared in the Huffington Post. Whether it’s due to pride, a desire to maintain their independence, or forgetfulness, if you have aging parents there are likely things they aren’t telling you. And that can be both troubling and dangerous. In this new blog series, What Your Aging Parents Aren’t Telling You,…