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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.