Attorney vs Estate Advisor

  • Estate planning, including drafting key documents (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, etc.)

  • Legal interpretation of documents (wills & trusts) & explain legal requirements of being a trustee/executor

  • Probate court filings

  • Handle any estate related litigation

Trust & Estate Attorneys:

  • Develop customized plan of all tasks that need to be completed to close down estate.

  • Figure out which forms need to be filled out.

  • Help fill out forms for executor to review and sign.

  • Assist with referrals for vendors / tools that could be helpful in the estate administration process.

  • Help determine what assets there were.

  • Help get high end items appraised.

  • Close down online accounts & subscriptions (e.g. Amazon, Netflix…)

  • Engage with banks, financial institutions, government institutions (Social Security, VA) on behalf of executor.

  • Find & manage vendors relating to real property: real estate agent, painters, staging company, etc.

  • Find and manage professional organizers / clean-out teams if home needs to be cleaned out.

  • Help family establish methods they'd like for dividing personal property.

  • Help research open bank accounts and credit card accounts, if unknown.

  • Assist with steps for selling automobile.

  • Act as an accountability partner for executor/trustee.

Examples of ways an Executor Advisor can assist:

  • Funeral arrangements.

  • Celebrations of Life.

  • Drafting and interpreting wills, trusts, or other planning papers.

Outside my area of assistance: