The executor's guide: settling a loved one's estate or trust

Part I: Getting ready. Overview

If you're asked to be an executor or trustee

Part II: First steps. The first week

The first month

Claiming life insurance, Social Security, and other benefits

Part III: Taking care of the estate. Making sense of the will

If there's no will

Taking inventory

Managing assets and paying bills

Caring for children and their property

Taxes

Part IV: Transferring property. Property that doesn't go through probate

Transferring joint tenancy and other survivorship property

Transferring community property

Claiming money in retirement plans

Claiming payable-on-death assets

Special procedures for small estates

The regular probate process

Part V: Handling trusts. Wrapping up a simple living trust

Managing a child's trust

Part VI: Getting more help

Finding more information

Lawyers and other experts

Glossary

Appendixes. State information

How to use the downloadable forms on the Nolo website.

Pt. I. Getting ready. The executor's legal companion ; Overview ; If you're asked to be an executor or trustee

Pt. II. First steps. The first week ; The first month ; Claiming life insurance, Social Security, and other benefits

Pt. III. Taking care of the estate. Making sense of the will ; If there's no will ; Taking inventory ; Managing assets and paying bills ; Caring for children and their property ; Taxes

Pt. IV. Transferring property. Property that doesn't go through probate ; Transferring joint tenancy and other survivorship property ; Transferring community property ; Claiming money in retirement plans ; Claiming payable-on-death assets ; Special procedures for small estates ; The regular probate process

Pt. V. Handling trusts. Wrapping up a simple living trust ; Managing a child's trust

Part VI. Getting more help. Finding more information ; Lawyers and other experts

Glossary

Appendix : State information.

Getting ready. The executor's legal companion. Overview ; If you're asked to be an executor or trustee

First steps. The first week ; The first month ; Claiming life insurance, Social Security, and other benefits

Taking care of the estate. Making sesne of the will ; If there's no will ; Taking inventory ; Managing assets and paying bills ; Caring for children and their property ; Taxes

Transferring property. Property that doesn't go through probate ; Transferring joint tenancy and other survivorship property ; Transferring community property ; Claiming money in retirement plans ; Claiming payable-on-death assets ; Special procedures for small estates ; The regular probate process

Handling trusts. Wrapping up a simple living trust ; Managing a child's trust

Getting more help. Finding more information ; Lawyers and other experts

Appendix. State information.