First, take a breath. Then we take the next step together.
Probate, paperwork, and a dozen agencies, usually on the worst week of your year. We turn it into clear, state-specific steps you can do at your own pace, in plain language.
Free to read. No account. No legal advice.
Within the first two weeks, order at least ten certified death certificates, secure the home, locate the will, and notify Social Security. Probate, if needed, opens in the county where your relative lived. Timelines vary by state, from a few weeks for small estates to a year or more for contested ones.
How this works
Three quiet steps, in your own time
- 1
This week
Stabilize the basics
Order certified death certificates, secure the home and mail, find the will, and notify Social Security. We list the exact number of copies and who to call.
- 2
This month
See what your state requires
Some estates skip probate entirely. We show your state's threshold, the right court, and which forms apply, so you know before you hire anyone.
- 3
When you are ready
Work the long list, calmly
Title transfers, accounts, subscriptions, taxes. One item at a time, with templates and the agencies that handle each piece.
What we are
- A plain-language guide to settling an estate in the US
- State-specific thresholds, forms, and timelines
- Free to read, with no account and no email wall
What we are not
- A law firm, and not your lawyer
- A funeral, hospice, or grief service
- A place that sells your information
By state
Probate, state by state
Thresholds, forms, and timelines vary widely. Start with the state where your relative lived.
All 50 states covered. See the full list.
Guides
Plain-language answers
Probate checklist: every step after a death
Step by step probate checklist for executors. What to file, in what order, and how to avoid the common delays.
Do I need probate? How to tell in 5 minutes
Not every estate goes through probate. Use this decision guide to see whether your situation qualifies for a small estate shortcut.
Stop mail for a deceased person: a clear guide
How to stop junk mail, prescription mail, and credit offers sent to a deceased relative. Free and paid options compared.
What to do when someone dies: full checklist
The first 24 hours, the first two weeks, the first six months. A clear timeline of what to handle after a death.
How many death certificates do you need?
Most families need eight to twelve certified copies. Where to order them, what they cost, and which agencies require originals.