PZ Myers: Suddenly, I find myself the executor of an estate. Do I know what I am doing? I do not. I guess I'm going to have to get myself a probate lawyer.

Suddenly, I find myself the executor of an estate. Do I know what I am doing? I do not. I guess I'm going to have to get myself a probate lawyer.

Sorry to read that PZ.

As someone who was executor for my mom’s estate, I’m going to say just hand the entire job off to professionals. It was emotionally excruciating, and I am still dealing with the results of non-action in some areas 14 years later.

And tax help. Both the estate and the deceased may need to file with the IRS. But I guess the lawyer can tell you that.

Here are a few links I found useful. - A checklist of things to do and when: www.consumerreports.org/health/famil... - Applying for Social Security survivor benefits to help with some of the costs: www.ssa.gov/survivor - How to deal with their mail: www.usps.com/manage/mail-...

What to Do When a Loved One Dies via @ConsumerReportswww.consumerreports.org Consumer Reports' checklist on what to do when a loved one dies can help a sad event become a little less painful.

Highly recommend it. My estranged father died a few years ago and it took forever to deal with, even with a lawyer.

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