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EIN ApplicationGet the tax ID number (EIN) banks require to open an estate account or trust account after someone dies.Petition for Probate and LettersOpen probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.Notice to CreditorsNotify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.Renunciation of ExecutorDecline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.Affidavit of HeirshipPrepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.Small Estate AffidavitCollect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.Estate InventoryPrepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, with your state's filing or delivery instructions.Estate ClosingPrepare the paperwork that closes the estate — the state's closing instrument with its closing instructions, and the optional federal forms.Letter of InstructionPrepare the letter a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement, addressed to its claims department.Digital Assets Recovery LetterPrepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
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Someone I love died
Death Certificate CalculatorCalculate how many certified death certificates you need and see ordering info for your state.Probate Decision ToolFind out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.Estate Settlement PlanPersonalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.What to Do When Someone Dies ChecklistA step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
I'm an executor
Probate Cost CalculatorEstimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate.Executor Fee CalculatorCalculate how much an executor can charge for administering an estate.Self-File Probate AssessmentFind out if you can handle probate yourself with estimated cost savings and a filing checklist.Executor Appointment GuideSee the court, petition, bond, and documents needed to be appointed and receive your Letters.Creditor Claims DeadlinesFind creditor claim deadlines, notice requirements, and payment priority order for your state.Insolvent Estate CalculatorSee the order your state pays an insolvent estate's debts and which claims go unpaid.Estate Account Opening GuideCompare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.Personal Property Value EstimatorEstimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
I'm a trustee
Trustee Compensation CalculatorFind out what fair compensation looks like for serving as trustee.Trust Settlement PlanPersonalized plan for settling a trust after the grantor passes away.
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Who Inherits CalculatorFind out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will.Estate & Inheritance Tax CalculatorCalculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.Inheritance Tax GuideInheritance tax by state, federal tax on inheritance, and timeline estimates for receiving money, property, or retirement assets.Step-Up Basis CalculatorCalculate the new cost basis on inherited assets under IRC § 1014 and project capital gains tax savings.Inherited IRA Withdrawal RulesSee which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the tax for a missed withdrawal.Post-Death Tax Filing GuideFind out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
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Home→News→News for Settling an Estate

News for Settling an Estate

News that reaches an estate already being settled: probate court and filing changes, creditor and tax deadlines, fiduciary duties, and the rulings that affect an executor or trustee mid-administration.

AllPlanning aheadSettling an estate
All topics911Probate and estate administration389Estate, inheritance, and gift taxes278Trusts114Wills36Powers of attorney and incapacity97Beneficiaries and inheritance349Medicaid and long-term care38Digital assets14
All statesAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDistrict of ColumbiaDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
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145 news posts

Texas Beneficiary Rights: What You Need to Know in 2026

Texas Beneficiary Rights: What You Need to Know in 2026

Texas beneficiaries have enforceable rights to information, fair treatment, and timely distributions under state law, with specific protections varying by…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 9, 2026
North Carolina Estate Distribution Disputes: Legal Options

North Carolina Estate Distribution Disputes: Legal Options

North Carolina provides legal remedies for estate distribution disputes, including formal objections and removal proceedings against personal representatives.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 9, 2026
North Carolina Estate Challenge: When Siblings Withhold Assets

North Carolina Estate Challenge: When Siblings Withhold Assets

North Carolina beneficiaries can challenge executor misconduct through formal court accountings, bond claims, and specific legal remedies.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 9, 2026
North Carolina Sibling Disputes Over Inherited Property

North Carolina Sibling Disputes Over Inherited Property

North Carolina families face legal remedies when siblings improperly sell inherited property without distributing proceeds to entitled beneficiaries.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 9, 2026
Missouri Probate Threshold: When Estates Over $40,000 Need Attorneys

Missouri Probate Threshold: When Estates Over $40,000 Need Attorneys

Missouri estates over $40,000 require full probate with attorney representation, creating significant cost implications for families navigating estate…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 8, 2026
Washington Court Rules on Lost Will Probate Requirements

Washington Court Rules on Lost Will Probate Requirements

Washington Court of Appeals clarifies when lost wills can be probated, requiring clear evidence the testator never intended revocation despite missing…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 7, 2026
Court Rules Estate Beneficiaries Cannot Sue Parents’ Attorneys

Court Rules Estate Beneficiaries Cannot Sue Parents’ Attorneys

Nebraska court affirms that estate beneficiaries cannot sue their parents’ attorneys, reinforcing that lawyers owe duty only to actual clients.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 7, 2026
Georgia Probate Forms: Understanding Heir Designation Rules

Georgia Probate Forms: Understanding Heir Designation Rules

Georgia probate law defines heirs by statute, not by will provisions. Even disinherited children remain legal heirs requiring proper court notification.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 7, 2026
What Executor Duties Really Involve: Beyond the Basic Role

What Executor Duties Really Involve: Beyond the Basic Role

Executor duties extend far beyond following will instructions, requiring legal, financial, and communication skills to manage complex estate administration.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialApril 7, 2026
New York Executors Must Report Estate Progress to Beneficiaries

New York Executors Must Report Estate Progress to Beneficiaries

New York executors must provide detailed accountings to beneficiaries before final distributions, though regular progress updates aren’t required during…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 24, 2026
Seven Common Ways California Trusts Face Costly Litigation

Seven Common Ways California Trusts Face Costly Litigation

California trust litigation analysis reveals seven common patterns that lead to expensive disputes, from trustee misconduct to suspicious amendments.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 20, 2026
NY Court Rules Power of Attorney Agents Can Claim Privilege

NY Court Rules Power of Attorney Agents Can Claim Privilege

NY court rules power of attorney agents can claim attorney-client privilege protection when communicating with lawyers on behalf of principals
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 18, 2026
Missouri Trustee Removal: When Beneficiaries Must Act

Missouri Trustee Removal: When Beneficiaries Must Act

Missouri beneficiaries can remove failing trustees, but must prove serious breaches of fiduciary duty through documented evidence and legal procedures.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 17, 2026
California Estate Loans Help Families Keep Inherited Homes

California Estate Loans Help Families Keep Inherited Homes

California estate lawyers discuss how probate and trust loans secured by real property help families preserve inherited homes while covering administration…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 16, 2026
Connecticut Probate Costs Rise with Estate Value and Complexity

Connecticut Probate Costs Rise with Estate Value and Complexity

Connecticut probate costs vary significantly based on estate size, with court fees ranging from $25 to $40,000 plus professional service expenses.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 16, 2026
Virginia Executors Face Growing Will Contest Risks in 2026

Virginia Executors Face Growing Will Contest Risks in 2026

Virginia executors face ten key warning signs that beneficiaries may contest wills, from recent estate plan changes to hostile family communications.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 13, 2026
Georgia Probate Court Discovers 200-Year-Old Slavery Wills

Georgia Probate Court Discovers 200-Year-Old Slavery Wills

Fulton County Probate Court discovers 200-year-old wills showing how slave owners transferred enslaved people through estate planning.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 13, 2026
New York Spousal Election Rights Face Strict Deadlines

New York Spousal Election Rights Face Strict Deadlines

New York surviving spouses have strict deadlines to claim their guaranteed one-third elective share, with complex calculations including assets beyond probate.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 12, 2026
Probate Judge Approves $2.7 Million Misuse of Funds

Probate Judge Approves $2.7 Million Misuse of Funds

A Ventura woman misdirected $2.7 million from elderly clients, raising serious questions about fiduciary oversight.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 12, 2026
Jackson Estate Battle Highlights Probate Risks and Trustee Duties

Jackson Estate Battle Highlights Probate Risks and Trustee Duties

Paris Jackson challenges estate executors over $600K in unauthorized payments, highlighting probate risks and the importance of transparent estate…
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialMarch 11, 2026
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