The executor's guide

Closing out the estate of someone who has died is a job full of paperwork, deadlines and unfamiliar legal language, and it is harder still when you are also mourning. This guide is meant for people who have been named executor or trustee and need practical, legally sound direction. It breaks the process into manageable stages, starting with what the role requires and what to do first.

The book covers a wide range of tasks. It explains how to collect life insurance, Social Security and other benefits, how to read and interpret a will, and what happens when there is no will. Readers can also learn how to decide whether probate is required, how to look after minor children and their property, how to handle taxes, how to manage trusts, and how to deal with relatives during the process. It also describes how to research your own state's laws and how to work effectively with lawyers, appraisers, accountants and other professionals.

This third edition adds updated tables that summarize key points of each state's laws, the latest information on estate taxes, and worksheets to help you keep track of your progress. The author, Mary Randolph, is a lawyer and writer of Nolo's legal self-help books.