When someone dies, families face 400+ hours of decisions over 12-18 months — while grieving. We guide you through every step, every deadline, every cost, and every way to save money.
From the first phone call through final distribution — here's what every family faces.
Legal pronouncement of death, funeral home contact, death certificates, securing property, locating will/trust documents.
Burial vs. cremation decisions, ceremony planning, casket/urn selection, obituary, cost negotiations. Average burial: $10K-$12K. Direct cremation: as low as $995.
Social Security, Medicare, DMV, VA benefits, employer notification. Strict deadlines — missing them costs money permanently.
File the will, petition for executor appointment, Letters Testamentary, estate EIN, creditor notice, asset inventory, court filings.
Locate all financial accounts, insurance policies, unclaimed property, pensions, digital assets. Billions go unclaimed every year.
Identify debts, notify creditors, negotiate settlements, understand what heirs are NOT responsible for. FDCPA protections apply.
Final individual return (Form 1040), estate income tax (Form 1041), estate tax (Form 706 if over $13.99M). Step-up in basis can save thousands.
Final accounting, court approval, asset distribution, property transfers, estate closure. Executor liability ends with court discharge.
FTC Funeral Rule requires itemized pricing. Buy caskets from Costco (50-70% less). Negotiate handling fees.
Small estate affidavits skip full probate for estates under $25K-$200K (varies by state). Many assets bypass probate entirely.
Flat-fee attorneys vs. percentage-based. We help you find and negotiate the right arrangement for your estate size.
Billions in forgotten life insurance, bank accounts, and pensions go unclaimed. We search NAIC, state databases, and former employers.
Probate costs are deductible on estate tax returns. Step-up in basis eliminates capital gains on inherited property.
Medical debt negotiable at 30-50%. Federal student loans discharged on death. Most heirs not responsible for debts.
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Tell us about your situation and we'll recommend the right path. No payment required to start the conversation.