Stop duplicating work: Two people calling the same institution often triggers security freezes. Designate one “voice” for all official outreach. Divide by function, not by 50/50 split: Assign a Primary Contact, a Document Lead, and a Finance Tracker based on individual strengths. Create a single source of truth: Set up one shared folder with strict … Read more
Secure the hardware immediately: Treat physical devices like the phone and laptop as the keys to the estate. Store them safely and do not tamper with security settings. Search for the master key: Before mapping individual accounts, look for signs of a password manager (like 1Password or Bitwarden) which can unlock the entire digital landscape … Read more
The main objective: You must ensure the government knows about the passing to stop benefits and prevent complicated overpayment issues. The workflow: Funeral directors typically file the initial electronic report, but executors must verify that the system actually updated. The financial rule: Never spend any benefit deposits that arrive after the month of death. The … Read more
Pace yourself: You do not need to call every institution on the first day. A phased approach prevents burnout and limits duplicate requests. Get the master list: Use our categorized checklist below to see exactly who needs to be contacted across government, financial, and digital sectors. Phase 1 (48 Hours): Focus strictly on immediate family, … Read more
Control the Perimeter: Limit access immediately. Collect outstanding keys and establish a visual baseline of the home’s contents before anyone starts sorting. Prevent Insurance Voidance: Notify the homeowner’s insurance about the vacancy to ensure the policy remains active. Keep climate control running to prevent structural damage. Stop the Mail Pile-up: Request a 30 day hold … Read more
Start the physical home search by looking for distinctive law firm envelopes, checking hidden fireboxes, and scanning old mail for attorney retainer receipts. Do not bypass digital passwords or force open locked safes. Focus on gathering physical clues, checking cloud storage structures, and documenting what you find. Maintain a single “Will Search Log” to prove … Read more
The “Starter Packet” is a core set of 4 to 5 foundational documents that will unblock 90% of your initial interactions with financial institutions. Banks reject documents primarily due to compliance rules (like KYC laws) and poor digital file hygiene, not just to make your life difficult. Never mail your final physical certified document. Force … Read more
The primary goal of week one is to secure the estate, not to finalize it. Pause, breathe, and focus on protection. Secure the physical property, lock up vehicles, and place a temporary hold on the mail to prevent fraud and theft. Set up a rigid, single-source file system and a call log immediately to capture … Read more