Executor's Guide, The: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust

Review
"Mary Randolph, an editor at Nolo, a publisher of do-it-yourself legal guides and author of The Executor's Guide, says it is a good idea to get a lawyer to help unwind a trust, especially if it will hold a significant amount of money. Trust owners can take some steps on their own--for example, going to a bank to change ownership of a trust-owned bank account back into their names as individuals. But if the trust holds a business or another asset, that could be more complicated. "If you've got some money to spend on attorney fees--and most people who have created AB trusts do--it can save you a lot of trouble later, Ms. Randolph says." Wall Street Journal
"Covers the gamut of estate chores and helps you get through them." Kiplinger's Retirement Report
"Explains how to find state-specific information, and an appendix sorts legalities by state." Miami Herald
"Provides a guide for executors and trustees, describing legal procedures and terminology, what to expect, decisions that will need to be made, and questions to ask." Reference & Research Book News
"The Executor's Guide [is] a super-detailed, step-by-step book that's a must-read."Beth Fenner, CNN "More Money" blog
"The Executor's Guide leads readers through the process of what they must do if they are named as executor. In a nutshell, they must gather the deceased person's assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute what's left. This book helps them know what to expect, what decisions they will need to make, when to get help, and what questions to ask. One very important part of the job is dealing with family members. They'll want to know what's happening, which means they may have to field a lot of anxious questions. Why is it taking so long to distribute the assets? Shouldn't you sell Dad's stock (or car or house) before its value drops? Why can't I take the rocking chair Mother always told me she wanted me to have? What are you going to do about Mom's sister, who's taking things from the house?Savannah Jones, SirReadaLot.org
The step-by-step guide to serving as an executor
If you need to wrap up the affairs of a loved one who has died, you may feel overwhelmed―especially when you’re grieving. But you can do it, and this book will show you how.
A roadmap to follow. The Executor’s Guide will lead you through an unfamiliar land of legal procedures and terminology. You’ll learn what to do right away and what can wait. Find help on:
preparing for the job of executor or trustee claiming life insurance, Social Security, and other benefits making sense of a will (and what to do if there is no will) determining whether probate is necessary filing taxes navigating probate court proceedings dealing with family members handling simple trusts, and working with lawyers, appraisers, accountants, and other experts.
The 9th edition contains updated tables outlining key points of each state’s laws. Applies in all states except Louisiana.
With Downloadable Worksheets - download and customize worksheets detailing information executors need to get organized, including an inventory of assets and debts (details inside).