Heirloom Blog

How to Publish Notice to Creditors During Probate
To publish a notice to creditors during probate, you must typically take two key actions: publish a formal announcement in a local newspaper and send direct, written notice to all known or reasonably
9 min read
How to Request Tax Returns from the IRS for a Deceased Person
Navigating the estate settlement process for a deceased loved one can be challenging, but obtaining their past tax returns is a critical step that can reveal valuable financial insights. To request
12 min read
How to Search for Life Insurance Policies After a Death
Finding a deceased loved one's life insurance policy can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially while you're grieving. If the paperwork isn't readily available, there is no sin
9 min read
How to Secure and File a Will with Probate Court
Securing and filing a will is the first official step in the estate settlement process. You must first locate the original will in the deceased's personal records, safe-deposit box, or with their
9 min read
Notifying Financial Institutions After a Death
After a loved one passes away, the executor or personal representative is responsible for notifying all relevant financial institutions to secure the deceased's accounts, prevent fraud, and begin the
9 min read
Probate Surety Bonds: What Executors Need to Know
A probate bond, also known as a surety bond or executor bond, is a type of insurance policy required by a court to protect an estate’s beneficiaries and creditors from financial harm cause
9 min read
Safeguarding Estate Property: What Executors Need to Know
As an estate executor, one of your most immediate and critical responsibilities is to safeguard property belonging to the deceased. This legal and ethical duty, known as a fiduciary duty, requ
9 min read
Small Estate Options: How to Avoid Full Probate
For many executors, the most efficient way to settle an estate is to use a small estate procedure to avoid full probate. These simplified options, such as a small estate affidavit or a s
8 min read
Understanding and Settling Estate Debts
Navigating estate settlement can be complex, especially when it comes to understanding and settling estate debts. As an executor, you are responsible for identifying, validating, and paying off fi
10 min read
Understanding Executor Fiduciary Duty and Responsibilities
Serving as an estate executor is a significant legal and financial role, legally binding you to act in the best interests of the deceased person's estate and its beneficiaries. This legal obligation i
9 min read
Understanding Letters Testamentary and Court Appointment
Letters Testamentary are official court documents that grant an executor the legal authority to manage a deceased person's estate. You obtain them from a probate court after a judge approves your Peti
8 min read
Updating the DMV and Credit Bureaus After a Death
When a loved one passes away, the executor of their estate is faced with a long list of administrative duties. Among the most critical, yet often overlooked, are updating the DMV and notifying the cre
8 min read

Maximize Every Caseload

Launch a turnkey estate inventory service line that captures new revenue with zero added headcount.

Request a Demo