Free Guides
Estate Administration Guides
Free, practical guides to help you navigate every step of settling an estate — written clearly, without legal jargon.
22 guides
The First 7 Things to Do After Someone Dies
A practical, step-by-step guide to the immediate administrative tasks after a death — ordered by urgency, written with compassion.
How to Get an EIN for an Estate (IRS Form SS-4)
Step-by-step instructions for obtaining an Employer Identification Number for an estate using IRS Form SS-4 — online, by fax, or by mail.
How to Claim the $255 Social Security Lump Sum Death Benefit
Who qualifies for the SSA lump sum death payment, how much it is, how to apply, and the 2-year deadline you cannot miss.
Social Security Survivor Benefits: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
A complete guide to Social Security survivor benefits — who is eligible, how the monthly payment is calculated, and when to apply.
Small Estate Affidavits: Skip Probate for Small Estates
How small estate affidavits work, state-by-state dollar thresholds, which assets qualify, and how to use one to transfer property without probate court.
IRS Form 56: Notifying the IRS You Are the Estate Fiduciary
What IRS Form 56 does, when to file it, how to complete each section, and where to send it — the essential first IRS filing for most executors.
How to Open an Estate Bank Account
Why every estate needs its own bank account, exactly what documents to bring to the bank, how to use the account correctly, and when to close it.
How to File a Life Insurance Claim After a Death
How to find all life insurance policies, file a claim with each insurer, understand payout options, and handle a denied claim.
VA Burial Benefits: What Veterans' Families Are Entitled To
A complete guide to VA burial allowances, national cemetery burial, headstones, presidential memorial certificates, and how to apply for each.
Probate 101: Do You Need It and How Does It Work?
A plain-language explanation of what probate is, when it is and is not required, how long it takes, what it costs, and how to navigate it.
Inheriting a Retirement Account: 401k and IRA Rules
What happens to a 401k or IRA when someone dies, the 10-year rule for non-spouse beneficiaries, required minimum distributions, and how to avoid a large tax bill.
Managing a Digital Estate: Social Media, Email, and Online Accounts
How to locate, manage, and close a deceased person's digital accounts — from email and social media to cryptocurrency and online subscriptions.
Complete Executor Duties Checklist: Everything You Need to Do
A comprehensive timeline-based checklist of everything an executor must do — organized by week, month, and phase of estate administration.
How to Notify Creditors of a Death
The legal process for notifying creditors of an estate, which debts must be paid, how long creditors have to file claims, and how to handle debt collectors.
How to Transfer a Car Title After the Owner Dies
A step-by-step guide to transferring a vehicle title when the owner dies — whether through the DMV, a small estate affidavit, or probate, with state-by-state tips.
What to Do With Medicare and Medicaid After Someone Dies
How to notify Medicare, return equipment, handle Medicaid estate recovery (MERP), and navigate Medicare Advantage and supplemental plans after a loved one dies.
What Happens to Student Loans When the Borrower Dies
Federal student loans are discharged at death — but private loans vary by lender. Here is what you need to know about loan discharge, Parent PLUS loans, co-signers, and how to apply.
IRS Form 1041: When the Estate Itself Owes Income Tax
What Form 1041 is, when an estate must file it, what counts as estate income, fiscal vs. calendar year, key deadlines, and when to hire a CPA.
How to Claim Pension and Annuity Benefits After a Death
What happens to pension and annuity benefits when the owner dies — survivor benefits, notifying the pension administrator, the PBGC safety net, and how to file an annuity death claim.
How to Access a Safe Deposit Box After Someone Dies
How joint and solo safe deposit boxes are handled after death, when you need a court order, what states require, and what to look for inside the box.
How to Formally Notify Creditors of an Estate — and Why It Protects You
The correct legal process for notifying creditors after a death: certified letters to known creditors, publishing notice in a newspaper, claim period windows by state, and how to handle an insolvent estate.
What to Do With Health Insurance After a Spouse or Parent Dies
Navigating health insurance after a loss: COBRA for surviving spouses, ACA marketplace enrollment, removing the deceased from employer plans, and avoiding a coverage gap.
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