Online Executor Resources to Help You Settle An Estate

11 Online Executor Resources

Serving as an executor of an estate can be challenging. Luckily, there are many great online resources you can access right from your computer.

To help you with everything from funeral planning to navigating probate court, we’ve compiled the following list of useful online executor resources. Think of this page as a resource center for all your needs.

1. Executor.org – An Executor’s Guide

Executor.org is a completely free resource to teach you how to be an executor.

Our online executor software will give you a personalized, step-by-step guide to settling the estate, along with helpful tools like an executor expense tracker and executor recordkeeping spreadsheet. If you haven’t already, sign up for free account today by clicking here.

2. A Custom Executor Plan

With as many as 150 tasks and a legal responsibility to properly distribute physical and digital assets and settle the estate, serving as an estate executor can be an overwhelming challenge.

Executor.org has created online executor software that builds a personalized roadmap for you based on the answers you provide to five simple questions. Your custom plan will then walk you through settling the estate, step-by-step. Get your free plan by clicking here.

3. Where Do I Even Begin In Settling an Estate?

Many people who are named as an executor are facing the responsibility for the first time and aren’t sure where to begin. Since you’re personally liable for getting things in order, you need to make sure things are done right.

As executor, there are six things you’ll need to address right away, such as funeral planning,  notifying the Social Security Administration, contacting the probate court, and more.

This article covers all six items you’ll want to make sure are being managed early in the process. That way you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re doing everything right.

4. 15 Primary Duties of an Executor

Before you dive head-first into your executor duties, you should understand what the executor role will entail. This list explains the primary responsibilities of being an executor and helps you understand your role.

For example, you’ll need things like the deceased’s Social Security number and access to their online accounts and digital property. You’ll need to obtain the death certificate and file the will with the probate court. You also may need to sell their real estate.

It gets complicated. That’s why we laid out the primary duties in one place.

5. Top 4 Online Tools for Executors

These four online tools for executors will ease the burden of being an executor and keep you on track during the long process of estate settlement, which in most cases takes at least a year. Click here to learn more.

6. The National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC)

Formed in 1962, the association has a database of accredited estate planners (including accountants, estate planning attorneys and financial planners) that you can search to find a local professional who can help you as an executor. To search the database, click here.

7. How to Hire an Estate Attorney

If you’ve recently been named as an executor, you may not be sure whether you should hire an estate attorney. In most cases, it’s a good idea because they can help you settle estate tax, navigate complex estate laws, and provide legal advice.  

This article will help you decide whether you need the help of an estate attorney and offers tips on finding the right one.

8. What is Probate?

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, and this helpful article answers several common questions executors have about the probate process, from how long it takes to who pays for the cost of it all. Click here to read “What is Probate?”

9. What Expenses are Reimbursable to Executors

When a person takes on the executor role, it can be daunting. The work to be done can be overwhelming and the expenses can seem enormous. From necessary home upkeep, trips to the courthouse and legal fees, the money just keeps adding up.

The good news is that you do not have to pay these expenses out of pocket. Most of the expenses incurred while settling an estate are paid for by the estate, which is composed of the deceased’s savings, assets, etc. But you also need to know what to do when there are insufficient assets to cover the fees.

Click here to learn which expenses can and cannot be covered by estate funds

10. Managing Family Relationships After A Parent’s Death

As the executor of an estate you will likely end up working closely with any children of the deceased. In fact, you also might be one of the deceased’s children.

Either way, it’s important to realize that what might seem like the simplest of estate issues to handle can be greatly complicated due to grief and sadness. Grief can wear us out, fray our nerves, add tension to relationships, and bring out overwhelming emotions.

Click here to learn tips for keeping the family peace as much as possible during this sad time.

11. How Administering an Estate Can Make a Family Stronger

The days and months after the death of a loved one are difficult for many reasons. Grief, shock and worry can all overcome those who are mourning, and the stress of dividing up assets and settling the estate can tear a family apart.

As executor, you are tasked with the tough job of managing your loved one’s final bills, making sure any assets reach the rightful beneficiaries, and ultimately closing their estate in a court of law. You’ll also most likely end up the point person for any disagreements about how that all should be accomplished.

Click here to learn six ways that can help strengthen your family during this tough time.

Some other executor resources that may be of use to you include:

• Executor Checklist
• Executor Fees by State

These online resources and online tools can ease the burden of being an executor. Use them to guide you through the process of estate settlement, give you peace of mind, and reduce your risk of being held personally liable for any mistakes.

If you’re currently an executor of an estate and need help settling it, click here to create a free plan and get step-by-step help in your role.

If you know of any other online executor resources that should be in this executor’s guide, click here to contact us and let us know about it!