The Death Readiness Podcast: Not your dad’s estate planning podcast

How to Avoid Costly Mistakes After a Death

Episode Summary

Losing someone you love is hard enough. Figuring out what to do next can feel overwhelming. In this episode, estate planning attorney Jill Mastroianni sits down with estate administration expert Mollie Lacher to discuss the practical realities of settling someone's affairs after death. From securing a vacant home and locating hidden assets to navigating customer service, digital accounts, and the responsibilities of serving as executor during probate, this conversation offers practical guidance for anyone facing the loss of a loved one or preparing to ease the administrative burden for their own family.

Episode Notes

Losing someone you love is hard enough. Figuring out what to do next can feel overwhelming.

In this episode, estate planning attorney Jill Mastroianni sits down with estate administration expert Mollie Lacher to discuss the practical realities of settling someone's affairs after death. From securing a vacant home and locating hidden assets to navigating customer service, digital accounts, and the responsibilities of serving as executor during probate, this conversation offers practical guidance for anyone facing the loss of a loved one or preparing to ease the administrative burden for their own family.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why the first things you should do after a death probably aren't what you expect 
• How to secure a vacant home and avoid costly insurance mistakes 
• Why paying bills immediately isn't always the best first step 
• How to gather financial information before making important decisions 
• The “breadcrumb” clues that can help uncover forgotten assets 
• Why estate planning documents alone don't tell the whole story 
• How organized records can save your family countless hours of stress 
• Strategies for talking with banks, utilities, and customer service representatives 
• Why transferring utilities can become surprisingly complicated 
• How to protect a loved one's digital accounts and avoid accidentally locking yourself out 
• Steps to reduce the risk of identity theft after someone dies 
• What it really means to serve as an executor 

Resources & Links

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AvkGEQNcMNY

Learn more about Mollie Lacher and Sunny Care Services: https://sunnycareservices.com/

Mollie's course, What to Do After Losing a Loved One: https://sunnycareservices.thinkific.com/order?ct=e2fc8f07-c0fe-46b6-a9ee-5ad3b4302916

Set up your Google Inactive Account Manager: https://myaccount.google.com/inactive

Add a Legacy Contact to your Apple Account: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102631

Add, change or remove your Legacy Contact on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help/1070665206293088?helpref=faq_content

Listen to Jill's previous interview with Mollie Lacher, Episode 6: What to Know Before Choosing an Executor or Agreeing to Serve as One: https://www.deathreadiness.com/podcast/what-to-know-before-choosing-an-executor-or-agreeing-to-serve-as-one

Connect with Jill:

• Website: DeathReadiness.com
• Email: jill@deathreadiness.com
• Learn more about Jill’s solutions
• Subscribe to the Death Readiness Dispatch!
• Ask a question for Tuesday Triage

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