Soon after a family member or a close friend dies, you may begin the probate process. If you are an executor, then you have a duty to deal with this person’s estate and assets.
These tasks leave you feeling overwhelmed because of the reaction of the deceased’s family and the amount of work involved. Learning about how to deal with stress can help you be a better executor during probate.
Know when to seek help
According to Psychology Today, you may be dealing with grief over the loss, which can leave you at risk of forgetting important details. This can impact how you deal with talking to insurance companies, filing taxes and dealing with beneficiaries, which are all tasks you may do during probate.
Wills and trusts can feel confusing to an executor who is feeling more exhausted and depressed than usual. Reaching out and asking a professional for help with this legal process can help you complete probate and fulfill your loved one’s final wishes.
Write it all down
There are a variety of time-sensitive tasks you need to finish to properly settle an estate. You may need to learn about probate court or how to properly assess the inventory of the deceased.
This can all be new to you, so writing down the steps you need to take or that you already finished can help reduce the stress you feel.
Make sure to communicate
Beneficiaries may become confused about what assets they receive from the deceased. Part of your job is to deal with real estate and heirlooms, which means you should be in direct communication with the deceased’s family. Being consistent with your communication can help you all successfully manage probate.
