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All articles about First 30 Days After Loss — What to Expect & What to Do.

Avoid Probate Without a Trust

You don't need a living trust to skip probate. Learn five proven strategies that keep your estate out of court without the cost of a trust.

Can an Executor Be Sued?

Executors face real lawsuit risk from beneficiaries, creditors, and co-executors. Learn the five most common triggers and how to protect yourself.

Cancel Accounts After Death

A practical guide to closing email, streaming, social media, and subscription accounts after someone dies — including which ones to keep open and why.

Common Executor Mistakes

First-time executors make costly errors that trigger personal liability. Here are the ten most common mistakes and how to avoid every one of them.

Dividing an Estate Among Siblings

Splitting an inheritance fairly when siblings disagree requires structure, not arguments. A step-by-step process for dividing assets without destroying relationships.

Documents Needed After Someone Dies

The complete list of documents you need to gather in the first 30 days after a death — where to find them, what they cost, and what each one is for.

Estate Organizer Printable

A printable estate organizer keeps every document, deadline, and contact in one place. Here's what to include and how to set one up from scratch.

Executor Checklist First 30 Days

A week-by-week executor checklist for the first 30 days after death. Covers every urgent task from securing property to opening the estate bank account.

First 30 Days After Losing a Loved One

A structured day-by-day breakdown of what to do in the first 30 days after a death — from the first phone call to opening the estate bank account.

Notify Mortgage Company of Death

How to notify the mortgage company when a homeowner dies — what to say, what documents to send, and how to protect the property during estate settlement.

Open Estate Checking Account

An estate checking account is required to handle the deceased's finances properly. Here's how to get the EIN, choose a bank, and open the account.

Unoccupied Home Insurance After Death

A deceased person's empty home can lose insurance coverage in 30 days. Here's how to protect the property with a vacancy rider before it's too late.

What to Do When Someone Dies in Hospital

When a family member dies in hospital, the staff handles the medical steps but you make the decisions. Here's exactly what happens and what you need to do.

Who to Call First When Someone Dies

The exact sequence of phone calls to make in the first 48 hours after a death — who to contact, what to say, and what documentation to have ready.