Executor help is a few phone calls away.  As the executor, you’re the person responsible for seeing through the many tasks of estate administration.   Estate service providers of many specialties are available to help with portions of the work.

One of the most difficult aspects of being an executor is assessing the work in front of you and 1. knowing who can help, 2. vetting who can help, 3. engaging who can help, 4. managing who is helping.

The below list introduces some of the common categories that an executor may rely on for professional estate help.  Alternatively, Executorium’s Estate Service Provider Directory main page also has a list.  By entering your state and county, you can find local service providers in your county.  They can have busy schedules.  You want to get on their radar.  To be sure, early is better.  You have some calls to make.

Executor Help: Who ya Gonna Call?

Probate Attorney/ Estate Attorney

So then we’re just going to assume you made this call already.

Accounting/Tax Professional

Additionally, as a fiduciary, you’ve got the estate finances to explain, and/or taxes to file.

Realtor

if the “real property” (House, condo, etc.) is to be sold, start those discussions sooner rather than later.  Good realtors are also professional networkers and can recommend service providers to help with some of your estate challenges.  Many realtors, such as “Certified Probate Experts”, specialize in probate sales and can take a larger role with estate help.  Moreover, their network of professionals will align with the needs of an estate, specifically, but not limited to the preparation of real property for a probate sale.

See also: Estate Talks: What is a Certified Probate Expert?

Real Estate Appraiser

If the “real property” will be distributed as part of the estate, to one of the heirs, an appraisal to determine the property’s value is necessary.

Personal Property Appraiser

If the estate warrants it (consult your estate attorney) appraisal of the personal property may be necessary.  A professional appraiser will apply the standards of USPAP to assign values to items in the home for tax purposes and to ensure the equal distribution of assets.  i.e. In a per stirpes distribution of assets, (per the will or court order) Maria wants the Lladro, appraised at $100, and David gets the TV appraised at $100.  Frank gets $100.  This would all be derived from an Appraisal Report issued by the appraiser.  Again, consult your estate attorney for direction on handling personal property.  With smaller estates, it may not be required or warranted.

Liquidation Professional

You may need to connect with an Estate Sale Company or Auction Company to help liquidate estate personal property that is unwanted but can be sold.  As a rule, per our Estate Talk discussion with National Estate Sale Association President, Lisa Kroese, you’ll want to start this process early.  Often these companies plan and schedule for months out, so get your initial discussions in as soon as possible and get on their radars.  Their advice can also be helpful as you go through “The Stuff”.

Often these companies plan and schedule for months out, so get your initial discussions in as soon as possible and get on their radars.

Estate Cleanout Professional

Like all of the categories above, Estate Cleanout deserves a little research and understanding.  There are no standards and qualifications for cleanout professionals as there are with Realtors, Appraisers, Auctioneers, etc.  State licenses will differ from state to state.  Junk Removal and Estate Cleanout companies’ services overlap and may be indistinguishable. It’s important to ask questions.  “How much of the company business is Estate Cleanout?”  What are your expectations?

Additionally, you might set aside a safe room where you place items for distribution or sale. You can also mark items you do not want the cleanout company to take.  Blue Painter’s tape works like a charm.  To clarify, clean out companies cleanout. That’s what you hire them for.  Timing is in play here, and if you perceive value in the contents, you may want to have help evaluating the contents.  To that end, please see our article on Garage/Yard Sales,  Estate Talk Podcast: Introduction to Estate Sales, or hire a liquidation professional.

See Also: Estate Talks: Insider Tips from Executor/Estate Cleanout Professional

Estate Administration Services/After-Loss Services/Estate Help

This category is executor help in a nutshell.  There is a growing trend of companies specifically handle estate administration work.  Their familiarity with the requirements of the jurisdiction and ready network of estate service providers in the area take much of the legwork off an executor’s plate.  ‘Estate concierge services’ or ‘Estate settlement services’ are additional ways to refer to these services.

Professional Mediators

When things get squirrelly between the heirs or across all the parties involved in the estate – mediate!  Litigation is expensive.  Contentious, litigious estates cost relationships and can change families forever.  Be the grown up in the room and bring this to light.

“Do you want to go to court?  Really?  How about we hire a mediator and see if we can’t work this out?”

Grief Support

Grief can forever change a person and likely will.  It can be paralyzing. If you haven’t experienced it before, or even if you have, it can shake you to your core.  Talking to someone about what you’re experiencing is courage.  Being an executor is hard enough.

 

Local estate help from Estate Service Providers in your county here…
Executorium’s Estate Service Provider Directory