empathy.com | Empathy

The Grief Tax: Empathy's 2025 Research Report Introducing The Grief Tax: Empathy's 2025 Research Report Read Now ->

Empathy’s Estates Specialists

Writers and researchers delivering clear and useful information on wills and trusts, property and estates, and the -probate process.

MORE ARTICLES BY Empathy’s Estates Specialists

Selling your loved one’s house

The House | 6 min read

When their final days were in elder care

Immediate Arrangements | 8 min read

Every kind of taxes after someone dies

Taxes | 7 min read

A guide to estate taxes

Taxes | 5 min read

Paying a freelancer’s final tax bill

Taxes | 5 min read

When you inherit a house

The House | 6 min read

First steps to protecting your loved one’s identity

Identity Theft Prevention | 4 min read

How to resolve family inheritance conflicts

The Will | 6 min read

What to do when a family member is disinherited

The Will | 5 min read

When you’re named in a will or a trust

The Will | 5 min read

All about community property

Property & Assets | 5 min read

What is a payable on death (POD) or transferable on death (TOD) account?

Property & Assets | 6 min read

Inventorying your loved one’s personal belongings

Personal Belongings | 5 min read

What happens to your loved one’s assets

Property & Assets | 5 min read

Dealing with the emotions of clearing out the house

The House | 5 min read

What happens when there is no will?

The Will | 7 min read

Managing your loved one’s bank accounts

Managing Accounts | 5 min read

Can you inherit airline miles?

Property & Assets | 4 min read

Which accounts to keep and which to close

Managing Accounts | 5 min read

Maintaining your loved one’s vacant house

The House | 7 min read

Securing your loved one’s personal belongings

Personal Belongings | 5 min read

Finding unexpected information about your loved one

Searching for Documents | 5 min read

Dealing with your loved one’s rental agreement

The House | 6 min read

All you need to know about being an executor

Probate | 8 min read

Accessing your loved one’s safe-deposit box

Searching for Documents | 4 min read

Determining the value of all the assets

Property & Assets | 4 min read

Smart tax moves to make after a loved one dies

Taxes | 4 min read

Understanding the gift tax

Taxes | 6 min read

What is considered debt?

Bills & Debt | 5 min read

Inheriting a house without a will

The House | 7 min read

Are spouses held responsible for debts?

Bills & Debt | 6 min read

Making decisions about personal belongings

Personal Belongings | 6 min read

Types of gifts in a will

The Will | 6 min read

Know your rights: Unsecured debts and illegal collection

Bills & Debt | 6 min read

What to do when you can’t find important documents

Searching for Documents | 6 min read

Services a funeral home can offer

The Funeral | 4 min read

The first few days

Immediate Arrangements | 5 min read

Gaining access to your loved one’s digital accounts

Managing Accounts | 6 min read

Saving data when closing accounts

Managing Accounts | 7 min read

Getting a legal pronouncement of death

Immediate Arrangements | 3 min read