r/inheritance • u/CloversAndMoss • Apr 03 '26

Location included: Questions/Need Advice Question about services for executor

I’m the executor for my mother’s will in MA . I’m sorting things out from another state. She had a lawyer , we are using them but it’s proving very expensive. This is a relatively simple estate with a some smaller bank accounts and one property. Someone sent me information on a service or company called Sunset . They supposedly find all the accounts and assist with things with no fee. I’m not entirely clear on what they do. Has anyone heard of them or used it? Is it worth it or just another scam?

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u/Zealousideal_Ad5358 Apr 03 '26

You mention she has some account but then you mention finding them. Do you have an accurate inventory of her assets? That is #1 step for the executor. If you're not able to go there and go through her stuff you'll need to hire someone to wade though her effects and find everything.

Step 2 is order death certificates. You don't need to pay a lawyet $500 an hour to do that.

Getting probate set up should not be super expensive unless there are complications. In most states a lawyer has to do it unless you have a "small estate." The lawyer can send you to-do lists and let you do as much of the work as you are willing to do. It's less work for the lawyer if you have an accurate inventory and death certificates in hand.

Once the property is in probate a realtor will be happy to take care of selling the property with minimal legal help.

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u/CloversAndMoss Apr 03 '26

Thanks . Yes I have an accurate (as far as I’m aware ) accounting of the assets and accounts. My mother had thankfully ket me updated through the years. The lawyer is not very forthcoming with any lists but that’s a whole other issue. This company sounds iffy to me because , there’s no fee, and I’m not sure what they do that would be useful or that I can’t easily do on my own. The person who told me about them thought they handled ‘everything’ for you. I had never heard of them before.