Handle the most urgent matters
One thing first
The person has died and you have just learned you are the executor. Before any legal paperwork, before probate, before touching a single bank account, a few things simply cannot wait. An empty house, a hungry cat, a funeral that needs setting in motion. This step is about those first hours and days.
What you need to know
Right now you are not administering an estate yet. You are stopping avoidable harm. Think of it like closing the windows before you tidy the room: you make things safe first, then you sort the rest later at a calmer pace.
Three things usually need attention straight away. First, the home, especially if it is now standing empty. Second, any pets who still need feeding and care. Third, starting the funeral, because dates and arrangements take time to organise.
You do not need the death certificate or probate to do any of this. You are acting as the responsible person, keeping things secure until the formal process begins.
Documents you may need for this step
- The person's house keys, if you have them
- Details of their home insurance policy, if you can find it
- Any note or letter stating their funeral wishes
- Contact details for close family who should be consulted
How to approach it
Start with the property. If the home is now empty, lock every door and window, take any spare keys into safekeeping, and check whether the home insurer needs to be told the house is unoccupied, since many policies require this. Watch how a short message to the insurer can be drafted.
Together
Now the pets. Someone needs to feed and care for them today, not next week. Fill in the blanks so an AI assistant can help you organise this.
Your turn
Now start the funeral. In your own words, ask for help contacting a funeral director and gathering what they will need to know.
Check · s4
Do you need to wait for probate before securing the empty house or arranging the funeral?
You've now sorted
You have handled the first urgent matters: the empty home is locked and secured, any pets are being cared for, and the funeral is in motion with a funeral director.
Checkpoints
0/3
This step is done when you can tick all of these: