Having a will is an important part of every adult’s life.
The executor’s role can span months or even years.
Initially, they’ll pay for your funeral expenses, but until the estate is closed your personal representative will manage the distribution of your assets, and ensure essential bills continue to be paid (mortgage, insurance, utilities, and property taxes). This is why it’s crucial to tell someone where to find a comprehensive list of your accounts, policies, and liabilities.
AARP offers an excellent resource to help you get organized. Their What to Do When a Loved One Dies post provides a thorough, step-by-step guide covering everything from immediate notifications to longer-term tasks like filing final tax returns and transferring property titles.
A note on funeral homes
When your entire business is helping people through the logistics of what to do with a body after the passing, you become an expert in helping the people through some of the hardest days of their lives. One particularly helpful resource is Dignity Memorial’s What To Do When Someone Dies checklist, which walks you through the practical tasks while acknowledging the emotional weight of losing someone close. It reminds you to take a breath, lean on your support system, and prioritize self-care during those overwhelming first hours and days.
Next steps – prepare your people
Even if you don’t talk about the details of your will with your loved ones, giving them a heads-up about their responsibilities within your will can help them understand what to do when you’re gone. Our free checklist puts 46 of the most common tasks in order by timing, from the first 48 hours to settling the estate, so you can focus on what needs attention now and set the rest aside until you’re ready. It also includes a guide for beneficiaries on inherited retirement accounts, taxes, and other decisions that are hard to undo, plus space to keep your key contacts and documents in one place.
Choosing Hurlow Wealth Management Group as your financial team gives your heirs a strategic partner to guide them through the administration of your financial affairs. For over two decades, the fiduciary advisors at Hurlow Wealth Management Group have helped Midwest Millionaires and their children find clarity, make decisions with confidence, and find comfort in retirement. Being an executor is hard; it’s easier with us. We’re here to help. Call 866-333-4726 for an introductory call or click here to schedule.
