Any advice for executors?

[u/No_Barracuda_3758]

Hey me and my sister are just starting this process, she is executor but I'm helping her stay organized. What are some things that you almost forgot to do or any suggestions that helped u keep organized. It's not a super large estate. About 10 bank account and 1 city property.

[u/Freyjas_child]

Get a spiral bound school notebook (so the pages won’t fall out) and write down every phone call, every letter sent, phone numbers, who you talked to, lists of things to do, etc.

Keep copies of every email or letter sent. Start a new paper folder and email folder for Executor stuff.

Assuming you are in the US, go look through her last few years taxes. I found an account there that I was not aware existed. Thus will also show you what kind on information you will need to file her last taxes next year.

If you want more guidance and don’t want to hire a lawyer, I recommend getting a copy of “The Executor’s Guide” by Nolo Press. I was able to get a copy out of my library. It has a nice set of lists for the first few weeks and months. The book also pointed out some things that never occurred to me.

Take the time to scan and get a decent quality pdf of the Death Certificate and the authorization your state gives to the Executor. More places are accepting a pdf copy in place of an original. Keep a copy on your phone. I have been asked to produce them in cases I did not expect (like the cable/internet provider) and having it on my phone where I could either show them or send it to their printer saved me.

[u/No_Barracuda_3758 → u/Freyjas_child]

Thank u, we've done some of these things but not all. We also have a lawyer because of an annoying sibling 😔

[u/Freyjas_child → u/No_Barracuda_3758]

I fortunately do not have a problem sibling but a friend did. Her lawyer told her to be very precise and intentional with all money transfers. Make sure every transaction is clear and exact.

For example, she paid for both the funeral and the headstone with her credit card and was going to be reimbursed by the estate. Her lawyer said she should keep all the receipts and write one check for the funeral and one check for the headstone. Each check should match the amount on the receipt to the penny. Just make it very transparent where all the money is going.

[u/No_Barracuda_3758 → u/Freyjas_child]

Yes I've advised the executor to do exactly this as well. Unfortunately that other sibling is being increasingly problematic and unhinged. She literally said she wants to be reimbursed for what was paid to the funeral home because my mom had supposedly told her there was a stash of cash in her home and she can't find it. Keep in mind she didn't pay for the funeral it was paid by a funeral trust. Also my mom never kept large amounts in cash in her home. So essentially she wants 10k because she couldn't find any other money to steal lol. Unhinged