The Comprehensive Estate Settlement Checklist & How-to Guide

Young or old, huge estate or just starting out, just out of college or planning to retire soon… if you have a regular income, any kind of savings, a home If you are, have a partner or a dependent, you should have an estate plan. But many people think comprehensive plans are too complicated, and are intimidated by all the moving pieces. One way to truly understand estate planning is to first understand the estate settlement process, or what happens to an estate after the owner dies.

Understanding the process of settling an estate can help you wrap your mind around all the different components of a comprehensive estate plan. So read on, as we cover everything you need to know about what happens after an estate owner passes away. In Estate Settlement 101, we will look at:

• Checklist for settling the property
• Addressing frequently asked questions

Checklist for estate settlement in 9 easy steps

The estate settlement process can be long, and it’s often confusing for those going through it for the first time. But when you have a solid checklist, with a timeline of what to expect and when to expect it, you’ll find that it’s actually not as complicated as it sounds. You thought before.

Especially if you have been named an executor, you need to understand the estate settlement process so that you can ensure that the estate is settled properly and in a timely manner and that all heirs receive their share of the estate. The part meets the requirements. Use the following checklist to make sure you’ve done everything you need to, in order, to properly settle an estate.

• Organize important information.
• Determine the need for probate or attorney assistance.
• Register the will and inform the necessary persons.
• Take inventory and value all assets.
• Set up a bank account.
• Pay taxes.
• Pay off any debt.
• Distribute assets according to the deceased’s will.
• Close the stat

1. Organize important information.

The first step (and one of the most important) in the process of settling an estate is to get organized. You’ll want to keep track of both your expenses and all the time you spent working to settle the property, because you’re entitled to compensation.

You should search for a will. You will need access to several certified copies of the death certificate. You should notify financial institutions, including banks, credit card companies and any investment firms. Be sure to notify the Social Security Administration, and know that you will need the deceased’s Social Security number to do so. Try to find a copy of current tax return, birth certificate and other important documents.

There are other, more practical things to do. If you did not live with the deceased and now have an empty property, you should change the locks and secure it. You want to take a detailed inventory of all his belongings. We’ll go into more detail about this below, but you’ll need to open a checking account that’s in the estate’s name — you’ll pay for final bills, court costs, potential attorney fees, and more. . the account.

Once you have these basic documents and tasks in place, you should create a master list of contacts that includes all business partners and associates, anyone named in a will, neighbors, friends, relatives and others.

2. Determine the need for probate or attorney assistance.

Depending on the type of estate planning that was set up, you may or may not need the help of an attorney. Whether an attorney is needed for conflict, complexity, or just peace of mind, it’s important to remember that the process can be very expensive once attorneys are involved. To keep costs down, some choose to hire just one lawyer to coach them along the way. Not sure if you need a lawyer? Trust & Will is here for all your estate planning needs, including helping you determine if an attorney is really necessary – reach out today with your questions.

If the deceased only had a will, the estate will likely have to go through what is called probate. What is probate? Probate is a court proceeding that validates a will. Keep in mind, not all estates will need to go through probate – probate laws can vary significantly depending on the state you’re in and the size of the estate. If a trust was established, or if the value of the estate is very small, it may avoid probate all together.

3. Register the will and notify the necessary persons.

If there is a will, it must be filed with the probate court. Beneficiaries need to be notified, and if there is a trust, any successor trustees must also be notified. Other people to notify include: creditors/banks, post offices, utility companies and any other businesses with which the deceased had accounts.

A small detail, but one that will eventually need to be handled, involves canceling any subscriptions and notifying any agencies that were offering death benefits (ie, pension plans, etc.). The last thing you want to deal with is a refund of payments the estate wasn’t entitled to.

4. Take inventory and assess assets.

Take inventory of all assets to see what needs to be distributed. You may want to have any high-value assets appraised so you can determine whether any estate taxes will be owed. Remember that, as executor, it is your responsibility to take care of assets (especially valuable ones) until they are distributed accordingly.

5. Set up a bank account.

When you have what are known as letters of administration (which are granted by the courts and appoint a person or people with authority to deal with an estate), you will want to set up a bank account. Use this account to collect money owed to the deceased (ie, any final wages or insurance benefits). You can (and should) use this money to pay off any debt, attorney fees, funeral expenses or other expenses that come up along the way.

6. Pay taxes.

File any necessary tax returns and make sure taxes are paid. You may need to file the following.

• Federal Estate Tax (Form 706)
• State-level estate taxes
• Gift and Generation Skipping Transfer Tax (Form 709)
• Estate and Income Taxes (Form 1041)
• Final Individual Income Tax (Form 1040)

7. Pay off any debt.

Even though the person who took out and collected the loan is no longer alive, most, if not all, of their debts will still need to be repaid. Fortunately, the estate (not you personally) will pay the debts, so you don’t have to worry about anything other than figuring out which companies owe which debts. Read more about what happens to debt after you die for additional, more detailed information on how to navigate this part of estate settlement.

8. Distribute assets accordingly.

After debts and taxes are paid, and if probate closes (if the estate needs to go through probate), you can distribute assets according to the deceased party’s final wishes.

9. Close the estate.

Once all the above steps are fully completed, you can finally file a petition to discharge the executor’s obligations and ask the court to officially close the estate.

Getting  Started

Before you begin the process of closing your loved one’s estate, it is best to identify and organize all the relevant documents you may need.

Some of the documents you may need include:

• Identification information (driver’s license, social security card, passport, etc.)
• Birth certificate
• Death certificate
• Marriage license
• Divorce papers
• DD214/Military Service Record
• Last Will and Testament
• trusts
• All bills (utilities, loans, rent, credit cards, etc.)
• Financial information (bank statements, brokerage account statements, retirement/pension plan statements, annuity statements, life insurance policies, tax returns, etc.)
• Real estate deeds and leases
• Auto/boot titles
• Your loved one may have stored these documents in multiple locations.

Some places you can start looking include:

• Computer
• A file cabinet or drawer
• E-mail
• Mailbox
• Home office or workplace
• Storage units
• Safe deposit box
• With a relative or friend
• A lawyer or accountant

To help determine when to cancel/pay any subscriptions, creditors, or other accounts (and to avoid piles of mail at your loved one’s home), you can send your loved one’s mail to your Can be sent to the same address. To do this, complete a forwarding order for a change of address at the post office and provide valid proof that you are authorized to handle your loved one’s mail:

Social Security

what’s this?

Social Security was created to promote the economic security of the people of the country and to pay retired workers a steady income after retirement at the age of 65 or older.

Why is this important to me?

If your loved one has accumulated enough Social Security “credits” by working a certain number of years, you may be entitled to Social Security benefits. If you are already receiving benefits, you may be entitled to a higher benefit amount.

What benefits are available?

You or other family members may be eligible to receive survivor benefits and/or a lump sum death benefit.

Who is eligible to claim these benefits?

Spouses, former spouses, dependent children, dependent parents, and dependent grandchildren may all be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits (depending on a number of factors.) Ask your claims representative about your options. Because every situation is different. Check eligibility on the Social Security Administration’s website:

What do I need to do?

Required Information Required:

• Your loved one’s Social Security number
• Your loved one’s date of birth
• Your loved one’s last known address
• Your loved one’s mother’s maiden name
• Your loved one’s birthplace
• The date of your loved one’s death
• The place of death of a loved one

Step by Step Guide:

1. Call Social Security to report the death of a loved one.
2. The funeral home may have already taken care of this information.
3. Funds that were already received for the month of death may need to be returned.
4. Provide the representative with relevant information so they can withhold future payments for your loved one
5. Make an appointment with Social Security to apply for survivor benefits.
6. Benefits may change automatically based on whether or not a surviving spouse is already on the decedent’s work record.
7. If applicable, Social Security will notify Medicare (thus eliminating this step for you).
8. Apply for lump sum death benefit (if applicable)

If an eligible surviving spouse or child is not currently receiving benefits or the surviving spouse is not on the decedent’s work record, they must apply for this payment within two years of the date of death.

Veterans Burial Benefits

what’s this?

United States military veterans may be eligible to receive a variety of burial benefits and awards from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Why is this important to me?

If your loved one was a US military veteran, you may be able to claim these benefits.

What benefits are available?

• A headstone
• A marker
• A medal
• Burial flag.
• Presidential Commemorative Certificate
• Who is eligible to claim these benefits?
• To apply for a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker, you must:
• A family member
• A personal representative (someone who officially represents your loved one)
• A recognized veterans service organization or state/local government representative whose official responsibilities include serving veterans.
• Please note that if your loved one’s remains have not been recovered or identified, buried at sea, donated to science, or cremated and scattered, only the family Only persons are eligible to apply.
• To apply for a burial flag, you must be a close relative or close friend of a veteran.
• To apply for a Presidential Memorial Certificate, you must be a next of kin, a close friend of the veteran, or an authorized service representative for a family member or friend.

What do I need to do?

Required Information Required:

• Your loved one’s Social Security number
• Your loved one’s DD214 or other discharge documentation
• Your loved one’s marital status
• The date of your loved one’s death
• Names and addresses of your loved one’s designated beneficiaries or next of kin, living and deceased

Step by Step Guide:

1. If you’re not sure what benefits your loved one may be eligible for, contact Veterans Affairs to learn more and confirm eligibility.
2. To apply for a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker:
3. Fill out a claim for a standard government headstone or marker (click here for the form: VA Form 40-1330).

To apply for a medallion:

Fill out a claim for an official medal for placement in a private cemetery (click here for the form: VA Form 40-1330M).

Applications and supporting documents can be submitted online, by mail or by fax.

To apply for a burial flag:

• Complete the Application for a United States Flag for Burial Purposes (VA Form 27-2008).
• Applications can be taken to a funeral director, a VA regional office, or a United States post office. Call ahead to make sure your local post office has burial flags. Find your nearest VA regional office at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=benefits

To apply for Presidential Memorial Certificate:

• If the veteran is buried in a national cemetery, the next of kin of the veteran should have been presented with a Presidential Memorial Certificate at the time of burial.
• If the veteran was eligible for burial in a national cemetery, but was buried in a private cemetery instead, a family member or close friend is eligible to apply for a Presidential Memorial Certificate. They can apply by filling out the Presidential Memorial Certificate Application Form (click here for the form: VA Form 40-0247).
• Applications and supporting documents may be submitted online, in person, by mail, or by fax.

Method of submission of documents

Please send only copies of your loved one’s DD214 and other discharge documents, not the original documents.

Ø  For submission by mail

All benefits, except burial flag benefits, may be submitted to VA by mail.

NCAFP Evidence Intake Center

PO Box 5237

Janesville, WI 53547

Ø  For submission by fax

All benefits, except the burial flag benefit, can be submitted to VA by fax.

Applications and supporting documents may be submitted by fax to 800-455-7143.

Ø  For online submission

Only Presidential Memorial Certificate and Headstone Marker benefits can be collected online at the VA.

Applications and supporting documents can be submitted online using the QuickSubmit tool through AccessVA. If this is your first time using the QuickSubmit tool, you will need to register first. https://eauth.va.gov/accessva/?cspSelectFor=quicksubmit

Ø  Submit in person

You can visit your local VA office to submit documents for Presidential Memorial Certificate and Burial Flag benefits.

Find your nearest VA regional office at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=benefits

Who can apply for these benefits?

• Surviving spouse of veteran, including same-sex marriage
• The surviving partner of the legal union
• Surviving child of a veteran
• Parents of a veteran
• An executor or administrator of a veteran’s estate

Pension/Retirement

what’s this?

A pension plan is an employer-sponsored retirement plan. The employer makes contributions on behalf of the employee over time and provides monthly payments when the individual retires.

A retirement plan is offered by an employer, and is an account that employees can use to save for their retirement. The employer withholds a portion of the employee’s salary (tax-deferred), and some employers may match a percentage of their employee’s contribution.

Why is this important to me?

If your loved one passes away before using up their entire retirement or pension plan, the unused money can go to beneficiaries.

What benefits are available?

See Plan Information for ‘Summary Plan Description’. This will tell you whether survivor annuities or other death benefits are provided under your loved one’s plan.

Benefits of a trade or labor union may include:

• A pension or annuity payment (usually a percentage of your loved one’s salary)
• 401(k) retirement payments
• Bereavement benefits (usually an amount equal to one month’s pension, or $1,000)

Who is eligible to claim these benefits?

Most pension plans, and some retirement plans, allow surviving spouses to receive benefit payments. In certain circumstances, some may allow other beneficiaries, such as a child, to receive survivor benefits.

If your loved one was a member of a trade or labor union, their designated beneficiary or next of kin may be eligible for survivor benefits.

What do I need to do?

Contact the pension provider (your loved one’s employer) or pension administrator to let them know the member has died and make a claim for any available benefits. They will likely request a certified copy of the death certificate.

For trade or labor union benefits, contact your loved one’s local union chapter to begin the process of filing a claim. They can help you through the process and help answer questions about eligibility. If you think your loved one’s union no longer exists.

Required Information Required:

• Your loved one’s Social Security number
• If applicable, a unique identification number
• Your loved one’s date of birth

Step by Step Guide:

1. Contact the pension provider (your loved one’s employer) or pension administrator.
2. Notify them of the death of a loved one.
3. Claim for any available benefits.

401(k) / IRA / Annuity

what’s this?

401(k)

A 401(k) plan is an employer-sponsored, defined contribution, personal pension account. Regular employee contributions come directly from paychecks, and can be matched by the employer.

IRA

An Individual Retirement Account is a tax-advantaged investment account that can help provide financial security during retirement.

per annum

An annuity is a fixed amount paid at regular intervals.

Why is this important to me?

There may be penalties and taxes for inheriting these plans. If you are the beneficiary of a 401(k), IRA account, or annuity, treat the account as if it were your own and seek professional advisors to guide you through the process.

Who is eligible to transfer?

Your loved one should have named the account beneficiary. A beneficiary can be any person or entity that has chosen to receive benefits for your loved one, but is usually a spouse.

What do I need to do?

The flexibility of what can be done with this account depends on many different factors. Ultimately your choice must meet IRS mandates and maximize financial benefits. You may need to seek professional advice before taking action.

Required Information Required:

• Check with your loved one’s bank or financial advisor to find out what is required to receive benefits.
• Feeling overwhelmed?
• Properties are complex. We will guide you step by step.
• Get 1-on-1 help.

Life Insurance

what’s this?

Life insurance provides a death benefit to the beneficiaries in case of death of the policyholder.

Why is this important to me?

If your loved one has life insurance, beneficiaries must complete a death claim form and submit it to the insurer to receive death benefits.

What benefits are available?

• The benefits available will depend on the type of life insurance policy your loved one has.
• Who is eligible to claim these benefits
• Whoever your loved one is named as a beneficiary in the policy is eligible to claim benefits.

Are life insurance death benefits taxable?

When a life insurance death benefit is paid to an individual or group of individuals (such as multiple children), the death benefit is not subject to taxation. If the beneficiary of the life insurance policy is listed as a family trust or other entity, it is likely that the death benefit will be taxed and you should consult the sales agent for the life insurance policy.

What do I need to do?

• First, determine if your loved one has life insurance. If you’re not sure, contact the executor and/or family and friends, ask previous employers, look at important saved documents or emails/mails, reach out to financial contacts or try using this free policy locator :
• https://eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator/#/welcome
• Next, notify the life insurance company (or your loved one’s insurance agent, if known) and all beneficiaries. The life insurance company will provide death claim forms to all the beneficiaries. Once submitted, it can take 30 to 60 days for the claim to be processed, depending on your state.
• If your loved one dies within two years of taking out the life insurance policy, the company may investigate the fraudulent claim. This will delay or possibly deny beneficiaries receiving their payments.

A lump sum payment is usually chosen by most beneficiaries, but other options may be available, such as annuities and installments, depending on what the life insurance company offers.

Required Information Required:

• Policy number, if known.
• Your loved one’s Social Security number
• Your loved one’s legal first and last name
• Your loved one’s date of birth
• The date of your loved one’s death
• Beneficiary information

Step by Step Guide:

• Determine if your loved one has life insurance.
• If they do, look for a life insurance policy.
• Notify the life insurance company and beneficiaries.
• Beneficiaries need to fill a death claim form and submit it to the insurance company.

Other insurance policies

what’s this?

An insurance policy is basically a contract between the policyholder and the insurer. Your loved one may have other insurance policies including (but not limited to) home, auto, health and dental.

Why is this important to me?

Some policies may have death benefits to claim. Coverage for your loved one should be terminated on any insurance policy. Payment of premiums must be stopped and any unused premiums may be refunded.

Note: If you are covered by the policy, your coverage must continue until the next premium is due.

What do I need to do?

• First, find all the insurance policies your loved one has and contact each provider to cancel coverage.
• Check with the insurer to see if you are eligible for any benefits you qualify for (ie, auto insurance (in the event of a car accident), personal injury insurance, accidental death travel insurance (AD&D), workers’ compensation, liability Tenant insurance is tied to renters or homeowners, supplemental health accident insurance, etc.)
• If your loved one was on Medicare, the Social Security Office will notify them. For secondary health insurance policies (beyond Medicare) you will need to contact the provider if the policy was a Medicare Supplement or Medigap policy. If the secondary policy was a Med-Advantage policy, you do not need to contact the provider because Medicare will notify the provider.
• If your health insurance coverage is under your loved one’s policy, it may end when the next premium is due. Ask the insurance provider if coverage continues for you. If not, you will need to find a new plan at https://www.healthcare.gov/ or with another health insurance agency.

Required Information Required:

Each insurer and policy may have different requirements. Contact each company to see what information is required to cancel an account and/or claim benefits.

Some information you should have available:

• Your loved one’s Social Security number
• Your loved one’s date of birth
• The date of your loved one’s death
• The cause of your loved one’s death
• Your loved one’s state of residence
• Your loved one’s marital status
• Your loved one’s policy number
• Beneficiary information

Will / trust

what’s this?

Your loved one may have a will and/or trust. If they had none, they died intestate which means “intestate”. We’ll explain what to do with an intestate estate below.

Both wills and trusts are legal documents that help transfer assets to surviving heirs.

Wills and trusts do three things:

• Identifies the executor or representative (who will be in charge of the estate)
• List the assets of the property
• Determines where and to whom assets will be distributed.

Because wills and trusts are handled differently, it’s important to understand each.

A will is a legal document that deals with how your loved one’s wishes are handled and how assets are distributed. Along with a will, probate may be required if an individual owns real estate or other real property or has assets in excess of the minimum set by each state. However, not all wills need to go through probate. For example, if the individual owns no real property, mineral rights or water rights and has less than the state’s minimum asset limit, probate is not required.

For those who have a will and own real property, a portion of the sale price may be subject to capital gains tax when the property is sold. You may want to consult a tax professional to determine any tax consequences.

A trust is a series of legal documents that include a description of the trust, a will, financial and other powers of attorney, a living will (also known by other titles: do not resuscitate order, advance health care directive, etc.) “Trustee” (the person in charge, as an executor would do with a will) to liquidate the estate’s assets and distribute the assets according to the trust’s instructions. One of the differences between a will and a trust is that As long as real property is recorded in the proper county and deeded in the trust’s name, there is no capital gains tax on the sale of the property. Another difference is that probate is not required with a trust. I All appropriate assets are listed in the deed or title.Name of the trust.

Why is this important to me?

First determine whether your loved one has a will or a trust. Next, find out in any document who is the executor or successor trustee. This incharge (person) will manage the settlement of the estate. If you are an executor or successor trustee, you have a legal responsibility to follow the directions and instructions in your will or trust. As an executor or successor trustee, if you are unsure of what needs to be done, please contact an estate planning attorney who specializes in this area of law.

What do I need to do?

Step by Step Guide:

1. Locate the will or trust, it may be kept in a safe deposit box, safe or safety deposit box.
2. If you can’t find or find a will or trust, your loved one may be living intestate (ie without a will) and you will now be going through many of the same steps in probate that would have required probate. Is.
3. With a will or living intestate, if you can verify the total assets of your loved one’s estate do not exceed your state’s minimum probate requirements, you can file a small estate collection affidavit or Assets may be liquidated and dispersed using a similar document. . In your state (google your state and “small estate affidavit). However, if real property (a house) is part of the estate, this affidavit will not work to sell the house. You have to go through probate. will have.
4. If you need to go through probate, you can contact an estate planning attorney. Although probate does not require an attorney, the process is cumbersome and not easy for most people to navigate. To find out more about probate, contact the Clerk of Superior Court for your loved one’s residence. The court will issue an administrator and a will to carry out the duties of the estate.
5. Make an inventory of all assets. It is important to track every asset and document it all in one place. This is not only for probate, but also to be transparent with other family members involved.
6. Once you have an inventory of all your loved one’s estate and assets, you will need to estimate the financial value – both to determine how probate will proceed and for tax purposes.
7. If your loved one has a trust, the successor trustee will follow the instructions in the trust and will and disperse the assets as specified in the documents.
8. After closing your loved one’s estate, consider planning your own estate if needed.

Managing Accounts / Subscriptions

what’s this?

Your loved one likely had many accounts, subscriptions or memberships.

Why is this important to me?

You may want to decide how to handle your loved one’s accounts. Closing accounts can help prevent fraud. In addition, preventing any unnecessary withdrawals from your loved one’s estate helps protect assets.

What do I need to do?

Step by Step Guide:

1. Check your loved one’s mail, emails and bank account to find other accounts, subscriptions and memberships.
2. List all accounts, subscriptions and memberships.
3. What to look for:
4. Utilities (landline, cable, internet, electricity, water, gas, etc.)
5. Memberships and Subscriptions
6. Online payment accounts (PayPal, Venmo, Zeal, CashApp, etc.)
7. Streaming accounts (Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, etc.)
8. Recurring Shipping (Amazon, Chevy, etc.)
9. Smart home accounts (Ring, Alexa, etc.)
10. Gym/Fitness Membership
11. Magazines, newspapers, and digital media (The New York Times, Kindle books, etc.)
12. Subscription boxes (Hello Fresh, Ipsy, Barkbox, etc.)
13. Gaming accounts (Twitch, Xbox, etc.)
14. Social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
15. Filling prescriptions automatically
16. Recurring Donations

Keep adding to this list as needed as long as you continue to receive mail and emails.

Once you have all the important information, you can permanently close your loved one’s email account by contacting the customer support team of each respective company.

Settling an Estate Commonly Asked Questions

Now that we’ve gone through the specific steps of the estate settlement process, and you have both a timeline and a checklist, we’ll look at some of the most frequently asked questions about estate settlement.

How long does the executor have to settle the estate?

How long an executor has to settle an estate depends on a number of factors. Factors include issues such as whether the estate is in an estate (not an executor), whether or not the estate went through probate, how complex the estate is, how complete and well-executed the estate plan is, among other things. In short, an executor usually has as long as he needs to settle an estate, provided all statutory deadlines are met.

What is Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act?

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) is a federal law that regulates how lenders operate and requires borrowers to provide appropriate disclosures about the costs and nature of the settlement process. It also prohibits things like kickbacks and limits the use of escrow accounts. Because of its name, people often assume that RESPA applies to estate planning, but this is a common misconception because the topics are not really related. However, RESPA pertains to real estate purchases and the purchase of a home is one of the main drivers for requiring an estate plan.

Do I need an EIN to settle the estate?

You need an EIN (employee identification number), also known as a tax ID number, to settle an estate. The EIN is used to collect taxes on behalf of the estate.

How much should an estate be worth to be probated?

How much an estate should be worth to probate depends on the state you live in.

Can the house remain in the name of the deceased?

The house cannot remain in the name of the deceased. If the home was co-owned with right of survivorship, the property will automatically pass to the surviving partner. If it was jointly owned without right of survivorship, the title will pass according to the will or estate plan document. If the owner dies intestate (without a will or trust), state law will come into play.

How to settle property without a will?

Figuring out how to settle an estate without a will can be confusing, time-consuming and expensive. Yet surprisingly, it’s more common than you might think. When this happens, the resolution of the estate will depend on how big it is, how complicated it is and how many heirs claim to have rights to a piece of it. State law has the most influence in these cases, and the courts will determine who should be appointed to manage and settle the estate.

It used to be thought that only the very rich had what is called an “estate,” but the truth is, even if you don’t have a 6-figure savings account or own a mansion, You still likely have an estate. Leave a day behind. And when that time comes, whether you’ve prepared for it or not, your property will need to be settled.

Estate planning can be complicated or it can be simple. But regardless of how complicated an estate is, determining what happens to it after you pass away is important. Because when it comes time to solve it, you want the process to be as efficient and effective as possible. Trusts and Wills make every aspect of estate planning — including estate settlement — simple, fast, affordable and easy to understand.