The Executor's Guide: Settling a Loved One's Estate or Trust

by Mary Randolph

The Executor's Guide shows someone who's wrapping up a loved one's estate how to proceed, step by step. It explains what must be done right away and what can wait, and guides readers through a land of unfamiliar legal procedures and terminology.





It covers:



preparing for the job of executor or trustee

the first steps to take

claiming life insurance, Social Security, and other benefits

making sense of a will

what to do if there is no will

how to determine whether probate is necessary--it may not be!

managing assets a child inherits

taxes

an overview of probate court proceedings

what you can do to avoid disputes with family members

handling trusts

looking up your state's laws, and

working with lawyers, appraisers, accountants and other experts.




The Executor's Guide contains tables that outline key points of each state's laws, the latest information on estate tax laws, and helpful worksheets.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Finance, Business, Law, Self Help

522 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 22, 2010

About the author

For other authors named Mary Randolph please see this page.

Reviews

[Kathy KS]

Yes, I wouldn't have read this, necessarily, except I'm now the executor of a loved one's estate (damn, COVID-19!) The style is actually easy to read, because the information is presented in small bites at a time, so lends itself to sporadic perusing.

This did help me formulate more, and better, questions for the attorney and reminded me of things I needed to do. In addition, this whole experience and the book have helped my husband and me to formulate a better strategy for passing things on. I don't want my kids doing all this when most can be avoided!

Do I recommend the book? Well, yes, if it's something that might help you in some way. There's a few downloadable files listed in the back that might also help you. But, no, if you're looking for pleasure reading. Well, unless you really like this sort of reading; I'm not judging!

Two more points... this was the newest edition of this type of book I found in December. But Nolo Press is issuing a 2021 edition this year. Attention librarians! Time to get a newer edition.
The other point is that the glossary is helpful, but I feel those terms might also be listed consistently in the index, at least aiming to the main place discussing the topic. Some are, some aren't.

[Ken Lindholm]

I came across the guidebook for working through the estate-probate process while helping a family member engaged in sorting out a somewhat complicated estate. For most people this doesn’t happen frequently during a lifetime, but everyone should have some knowledge of the process. If you are aware of what might happen with your own estate when you die (that date gets closer every day!), you can make things much easier (and potentially less costly) for your heirs at a time during which they may be under significant stress. Most libraries will have a copy so when you’re thinking about estate planning, looking through a copy will help get your thoughts in order so that you can make the process easier for your heirs who will have to deal with it!

[Skylar]

I'm a lawyer, but not an estates lawyer. All I know about the topic comes from law school and some sleuthing on the internet. I found a lot of information for executors and the children/spouses of the deceased, but few comprehensive guides. I couldn't be sure that I was hitting all the steps I needed to, and that's why I spent the money on this book. It was worth every penny. It feels exhaustive based on my prior experience and research, plus it includes lots of helpful tips for each of those steps.

[Linda Honour]

This is an excellent reference book — logically organized and easy to read. The author has done a great job simplifying all the legalese.

[Deanna]

Helpful.

[Kiri]

No one wants to need this book, but when you do need it, it’s great to have such a clear and comprehensive resource.

In 2021, I was suddenly thrust into the role of executor without any prior understanding of what that meant. This book helped me understand that role, figure out what questions to ask, work with a lawyer, make it through probate, sell a house, deal with taxes, distribute financial assets, and handle all associated property and belongings. I was glad to have help from my family, but before I could ask for help I needed to understand what had to be done/decided. I'm grateful for the guidance this book provided - clearly and calmly explained.

I also now truly understand what I am asking of someone when I ask them to serve as my executor.

I also recommend this free resource, which is educational, gives you a checklist to follow, and also starts you on the path of organizing your own estate before it falls on your survivors to figure out:
https://executor.org/plan/

[Foofer]

I used this six years ago to help me with my sister and brother-in-law's estate. I found it invaluable, as the executor, in ensuring I was addressing the various items in their estate. Never underestimate how much grief can fog your brain; having a guide like this helps you keep your wits about you. I passed it on to a workmate to help with her mother's estate.

[William T]

I am a fairly knowledgeable "lay person" in these matter, having already handled several estate. Even so, I found this a helpful guide. I didn't have to read it word for word but there was subject matter that was both new to me and helpful.

I give it four stars because, for me, I could actually have used a more in depth analysis. But this is an easy to read, easily digested handbook.

[Ann]

This was an excellent book for anyone navigating an executorship. Easy to understand, well-organized. My situation was quite simple, but I think this book will be beneficial even for more complex situations: even with attorneys involved, this will give you the background you need to understand what’s going on and serve better in your executor role.

*reviewed 10th edition, copyright 2024

[Richard]

G00d reference book- the information is good and presented clearly. Feel it could be better organized-the chapter on probate, the thing I most needed to understand, is one of the very last. Still I will be dealing with the estate of my parents soon, and this book has been invaluable to me.

[Cheryl]

This is the book I've seen recommended, and it's avl. at all my libraries. If I notice that a newer edition has been released by the time that I need it I may buy it. And of course there are other books, and web results, on the topic.

[Charles Chlipala]

My dad just died, I needed what to do. My sister successor trustee/executor won't read this and someone had to now what they are doing.

[Lin]

Quite helpful.

[Ben]

My copy is a pdf file available on Drive "Important Documents," and on USB fob inside the print copy of Estate Planning Basics.

[Joanne]

Great reference book. Used the June 2024 edition.

[Michael]

Another solid title from Nolo. Recommended if you're in the position of settling an estate.

[Lisa]

A book no one wants to check out at the library, but it was helpful.

[Jim Southard]

Very detailed and comprehensive, but you'll have to wade through a lot of information that may not be relevant to your situation. And there is some significant redundancies where the same information is covered in multiple chapters, but that might be helpful later if you go back to review only a relevant section. I read the Sixth Edition (February 2014) since I purchased the book a couple of years ago and just now got around to reading it, but it was already becoming out of date in some places due to recent law changes, so get the latest edition available.

[Hom Sack]

Great resource for executors, especially for those who might be ask to be one. You might decline the responsibility when you find out what you'll be getting into. Even more valuable is for those who are doing estate planning. This book plus the companion book Get It Together - Organize Your Estate Plan Documents - Nolo (http://www.nolo.com/products/get-it-t...) should ease the work your executor has to do.

[Heather]

Very new to the probate process. This book was very easy to understand and that is the most important when having to deal with lawyers and the courts during probate. Excellent and helpful. Im glad I ran across this book at the library.

[Matt Heavner]

This is a very good overview of executing an estate. As it covers many options (e.g. minor children), it wasn't always applicable, but it was a very good guide. I read it ~seven months after my dad passed away and I wish that I had read it earlier in the process.

[Teresa]

This book offers great overview of the executor's duties. It has helped me get up and running very quickly.

[Hazel Catkins]

This book helped so much in settling my dad's estate! When my mom had specific questions, I could point to specific paragraphs and comfort her about our progress.

[Kris]

Very helpful book. It did not answer some of my specific questions, but pointed me in the right direction in many places.

[Kim]

Solid information on how to settle an estate.

[Annie]

A lot of information, but well written and organized. Very helpful!

[Patrick Rooney]

An excellent book with lots of useful tips for settling an estate. The book has many topics I wouldn't have thought of that needed to be covered.

[Dinah]

High-level advice good for any state. Still worth reading in combo with Nolo's How to Probate and Estate in California.

[Vinh Nguyen]

very informative guide about what is executor and what does he/she do

[Sara]

Looking for client resources. I think this does a pretty great job at outlining what needs to be done and when you need to enlist professional help.