Executor Guide Preview

A Roadmap for an Overwhelming Time

This is the guide Local Legacy Vault generates to help family members and executors know exactly where to begin — and what can wait.

Local Legacy Vault
Executor Guide
Prepared information and guidance to help reduce confusion during an important time.
Prepared for
The Carter Family
Last updated May 2026
“You do not have to figure everything out at once. This guide exists so you know where to begin.”
Contents

This guide was prepared to give whoever is handling affairs a clear starting point — organized by priority, not by complexity.

01Immediate Priorities2
02Who To Contact4
03Important Documents6
04Financial Overview8
05Insurance10
06Property & Household12
07Things Not To Rush14
08Final Notes16
How to use this guide
Start with Section 01. Do not feel you must act on everything at once. This guide is meant to be consulted over days, not completed in an afternoon.
Section 01
Immediate Priorities

The first days are the most disorienting. This section gives you a clear sequence — what needs attention now, what can wait, and how to avoid the most common mistakes made under pressure.

First and most important
Do not make any irreversible financial decisions in the first 72 hours. Gather information first. Act second.
  • Notify immediate family members
  • Contact a funeral home to begin arrangements
  • Locate this guide and the will if available
  • Do not distribute personal belongings yet
Priority Actions
  • Request 12 certified copies of the death certificate
  • Notify the attorney and financial advisor (see Section 02)
  • Secure the property — keys, alarm codes, vehicle access
  • Collect and hold mail delivery
Will & trust documentsFiling cabinet, home office
Insurance policiesSee Section 05 of this guide
Bank account informationSee Section 04 of this guide
Property deeds & vehicle titlesHome office safe
Alarm Code
SimpliSafe
Code: in home office safe
Pet Care
Biscuit (Golden Retriever)
Contact: Patricia Monroe
(555) 619-3302
Section 02
Who To Contact

These contacts are already informed of the family's situation or will be essential in the days ahead. Contact them in the order that best matches your immediate needs.

Call attorney first
David Merritt holds copies of the will and trust documents and can advise on legal next steps before any financial decisions are made.
Attorney
David Merritt
Merritt & Associates  ·  (555) 302-4481
Holds estate documents  ·  Call before financial decisions
All Contacts
Financial Advisor
Sandra Okafor
Okafor Wealth Group  ·  (555) 774-2290
Accounts, retirement, brokerage
Executor of Estate
Thomas Carter
Brother  ·  (555) 483-0127
Named executor per the will
Accountant
Brian Holloway CPA
Holloway Tax Services  ·  (555) 380-2244
Final tax return, estate tax guidance
Insurance Agent
Karen Walsh
Nationwide Insurance  ·  (555) 800-2244
Life policy #LF-2291-A
Trusted Family Member
Patricia Monroe
Sister  ·  (555) 619-3302
Emergency household contact
Section 03
Important Documents

Knowing where documents are located saves weeks of searching. This section records where critical papers can be found and what each one is used for.

Most critical documents
Will, trust, and insurance policies are needed first. Property deeds and vehicle titles will be needed for transfer. Request death certificates in advance — you will need at least 10–12 copies.
Last Will & TestamentFiling cabinet · home office
Copy also with D. Merritt
Revocable Living TrustFiling cabinet · home office
Healthcare DirectiveFiling cabinet · home office
Copy at Sunrise Medical Group
Power of AttorneyFiling cabinet · home office
Document Locations
Property DeedHome office safe
Vehicle Title2021 Toyota Camry · glove box
Account StatementsFiling cabinet · See Section 04
Tax Returns (5 yrs)Filing cabinet · office · folder labeled "Taxes"
Life InsuranceFiling cabinet · "Insurance" folder
See Section 05
Homeowner’s InsuranceFiling cabinet · "Insurance" folder
Auto InsuranceFiling cabinet · "Insurance" folder
Birth CertificateHome office safe
Social Security CardHome office safe
PassportHome office safe
Military RecordsNot applicable
Section 04
Financial Overview

An overview of financial accounts and assets. Contact Sandra Okafor and David Merritt before taking any action on these accounts. No accounts should be closed or transferred until legal counsel has confirmed the correct process.

Do not act alone
Financial institutions will require a death certificate and, in most cases, letters testamentary before releasing or transferring funds. Your attorney will guide this process.
CheckingFirst National Bank
Acct ending 4821  ·  (555) 800-3300
SavingsFirst National Bank
Acct ending 9304
Accounts & Assets
401(k)Fidelity Investments
Acct ending 2847  ·  (800) 343-3548
IRAFidelity Investments
Acct ending 5512
BrokerageCharles Schwab
Acct ending 7163  ·  (800) 435-4000
Primary Residence482 Maple Grove Dr
Deed in home office safe
MortgageWells Fargo  ·  Loan #WF-4499-C
(800) 869-3557
2021 Toyota CamryTitle in glove box
Subscriptions to cancelAmazon Prime, gym membership
(see Section 08 for full list)
Section 05
Insurance

Contact insurance providers promptly. Life insurance claims typically require a certified death certificate and policy number. Home and auto policies should be kept active until property is transferred.

File the life insurance claim early
Life insurance does not pay automatically. A claim must be filed with a certified death certificate. Contact Karen Walsh at Nationwide to begin the process.
ProviderNationwide Life Insurance
Policy number#LF-2291-A
Coverage$750,000
BeneficiaryMargaret Carter (primary)
AgentKaren Walsh  ·  (555) 800-2244
All Policies
Homeowner’s InsuranceState Farm  ·  Policy #SF-88314
(800) 732-5246
StatusKeep active until property is
transferred or sold
Auto InsuranceState Farm  ·  Policy #SF-44192
(800) 732-5246
Vehicle covered2021 Toyota Camry
StatusKeep active until vehicle is
transferred or sold
Health InsuranceBlue Cross Blue Shield
Policy #BCB-44192-A
Action requiredNotify BCBS of death to end
premium billing
Social SecurityNotify SSA promptly
(800) 772-1213
Section 06
Property & Household

Keeping the household operating during the estate process requires knowing who handles what. This section covers utilities, maintenance contacts, access information, and ongoing services.

ElectricPacific Power  ·  (555) 800-7700
Acct in James Carter's name
GasCity Gas Co.  ·  (555) 444-2211
WaterMunicipal Water  ·  (555) 300-1100
InternetXfinity  ·  Acct #88421
Can be transferred or canceled
Alarm systemSimpliSafe  ·  Code in home office safe
Spare keysJunk drawer, kitchen  ·  2 sets
Services & Maintenance
Lawn careGreen Scene Landscaping
(555) 211-8844  ·  Fridays
House cleaningRosa Martinez
(555) 774-3301  ·  Tuesdays
PlumberPete’s Plumbing  ·  (555) 432-9900
ElectricianHartley Electric  ·  (555) 321-4400
HVACCoolAir Systems  ·  (555) 889-2255
2021 Toyota CamryRegistered to James Carter
Title in glove box
Roadside assistanceAAA  ·  Membership #449182
(800) 222-4357
USPS forward or holdusps.com  ·  (800) 275-8777
Subscription boxesCancel as discovered — check
monthly bank statement
Section 07
Things Not To Rush

The pressure to act quickly is real — but most of the most common estate mistakes happen because decisions were made too soon. This section exists to give you permission to slow down.

“The most important thing you can do in the first two weeks is gather information. Almost nothing irreversible needs to happen immediately.”
  • Close or transfer any financial accounts
  • Distribute or give away personal belongings
  • Make major property decisions
  • Respond to unsolicited financial offers
  • Cancel services before checking if they are needed
Pace & Process
  • Collect all relevant documents before making decisions
  • Speak with the attorney before contacting financial institutions
  • Speak with the accountant before the first tax season arrives
  • Wait for probate to open before distributing assets
Watch for this
Creditors, debt collectors, and even well-meaning family members may create urgency that does not actually exist. Verify everything through your attorney before acting on external requests.
Week 1Funeral, death certificates, notify contacts
Weeks 2–3Meet with attorney, locate all documents
Week 4+Begin probate process, file insurance claims
Section 08
Final Notes

Additional guidance and reminders as you work through the estate process over the coming weeks and months. There is no single right way to move through this. Take it at a pace that respects both the process and the people involved.

  • Amazon Prime subscription
  • Gym membership — Gold’s Gym, Oak Ave
  • Any streaming services or digital subscriptions
  • Notify Social Security Administration
  • Notify Veterans Administration if applicable

Digital accounts (email, social media, online storage) may need to be memorialized or closed. Contact the attorney for guidance on accessing these accounts legally.

Closing Guidance
The Family GuideA companion document with household,
medical, and personal guidance
Attorney fileDavid Merritt holds additional
estate planning documents
Financial advisorSandra Okafor has a complete
picture of financial assets

This guide was prepared so that whoever carries this responsibility would not have to start from nothing. The information here is as accurate and current as it could be made at the time of preparation.

If you have questions or encounter information that has changed, the attorney and financial advisor listed in Section 02 are your best first calls.

Prepared with
Local Legacy Vault  ·  locallegacyvault.com
Private. Offline. Prepared with care.
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