Frequently Asked Questions

For those seeking estate organization support (prior to death), we serve individuals and families regardless of age, current health status, or income bracket. Typical scenarios include: recent medical diagnosis, change in marital or family status, and high-risk careers (e.g. first responders, active duty military, etc.)

For those seeking estate administration support (after loss services), we can begin helping as soon as a death certificate has been issued. 

While estate planning and probate attorneys offer legal expertise in creating essential documents and navigating the court system, much of the day-to-day tasks of estate organization and/or settling an estate are outside the scope of what an attorney provides as part of their services. 

That's where we come in. We bridge the gap by assisting you in staying organized and completing crucial tasks, but it's important to note that we do not provide legal advice. We collaborate with these experts as needed to ensure the tasks we partner on with you are in line with their advice and guidance. We can connect you with our network of professionals if you would like recommendations.

Estate organization is typically viewed as getting your legal and financial documents in order with your attorney and financial advisor. 

Wills and trusts typically include:

• who gets what
• who is the person in charge of distribution
• list of high-level assets (sometimes)

However, what is frequently overlooked (and out of scope for most attorneys and financial advisors) are the loose ends that need to be handled once we die or in the event we are incapacitated and unable to handle them ourselves. 

Think about a time when you moved to a new address or changed your last name. There were likely numerous accounts and memberships to be updated or closed. It likely took a lot of time and effort. Now imagine needing to do that for someone else without being able to ask them any questions. 

Proactively aggregating this information for your trusted circle now will help prevent an exhausting scavenger hunt for them later down the road. The Mortality Mentor can help you identify info you haven’t captured yet, make the process less overwhelming, and hold you accountable to getting it done!

The weeks and months after a loss are often filled with grief and brain fog while managing family responsibilities and a career. When you add in the tasks expected of executors, it can be overwhelming - especially since, on average, the commitment can stretch from six months to one year. 

Rather than handing you a generic checklist, The Mortality Mentor can save your time and energy by creating a customized action plan based on your unique situation and walking alongside you. Examples include:

• Sequencing various critical steps to help avoid future challenges or disruption (e.g. utility providers, credit bureaus, canceling prescription refills, forwarding mail, addressing cell phone contract, Google Drive, Apple iCloud, notifying DMV, etc.)
• Researching information such as what paperwork needs to be submitted and where (e.g. veteran benefits, unclaimed property, etc.)
• Providing referrals and/or coordinating with other professionals as needed (e.g. realtors, senior move managers, home cleaning service, re-homing pets, etc.)
• Assisting with canceling or transferring memberships and online subscriptions (e.g. Amazon, Costco, Netflix, eBay, Etsy, Audible, gym, travel points, online gaming accounts, magazines, etc.)
• Assisting with closing or memorializing social media accounts 

There are several reasons to take action:

• Avoid identity theft or someone impersonating your loved one to take advantage of others
• Avoid paying for things no longer needed 
• Avoid receiving payments that may need to be paid back at a later date

Canceling a credit card or closing a bank account is not enough to stop recurring charges, so you will need to address these type of accounts to avoid fees. 

For those seeking estate organization support (prior to death), we will work with your preferred timeline. A key part of the process will be you needing to gather information in preparation for our check-ins, so you will want to factor this into a feasible timeline based on your schedule. However, a 90-day maximum engagement will be in place for these packages.

For those seeking estate administration support (after loss services), the timeline can vary based on whether you are working through the probate process or not. 

All engagements (estate organization and estate administration support) will include regular status reports and communication to ensure you are aware of progress and next steps.

The Mortality Mentor services are offered virtually via live Zoom meetings across the United States. The Mortality Mentor will meet in-person or travel for select projects.

Average cost for a family ranges from $250-$2,000 depending on the type of service provided and number of hours worked. You can save money when you book and pre-pay for a package. Ad-hoc and/or additional post-package support is available at $125/hour. To learn more about our services and discuss your specific needs, please reach out to schedule a complimentary 30 minute consultation.