If You Have Been Named an Executor of An Estate, here are a Few Tips to Make the Process Easier

Most individuals will have an estate and financial and personal items that need to be distributed after the cremation services in Buena Park, CA. Unlike money, belongings can be more complex and are typically divided equally between the errors. In the best-case scenario, the individual will have already listed who’s getting what items and the will may have a list of tangible personal property, making it binding. However, without this list in place, who gets what items can be confusing, so here are some distribution methods.

Take Turns

It’s common for more than one individual to want specific items. This can cause disputes and hurt feelings between family members, so to make this process easier, draw lots and have the individuals take turns picking an item. Once everyone has had a turn change the order with each round so the person who went second in the first round would go first in the next. This allows everyone to go first and get items that feel meaningful for them.

Use Colored Stickers

Colored stickers are also another way to help identify what each person wants. This can be done more quickly if each person takes the initiative and puts the sticker on the belonging. If there’s only one sticker on the item, it goes to that person, but when there’s more than one, they may have to revert to taking turns on any contested items.

Appraise Everything

The value of items can also make it more complicated because some will be more valuable than others. So it is recommended to get an appraisal on any items considered valuable and has those in a separate area, then follow the taking turns method to avoid complications.

Get Copies

Some individuals find photos and videos to be more valuable than personal belongings. So in this situation, it is recommended to make copies of any original content and distribute these to family members.

Use a Mediator

Individuals can be brought in as a mediator if there’s a conflict between the family members. In most cases, state attorneys will act as this party, but you can also find trained individuals that can get to the root of the issue and, in some cases, heal past wounds rather than making them worse.

Work With a Manager

There are also services online that can catalog and divide the personal property, or you can invest in a senior move manager who can be a neutral third party and work to diffuse strong feelings and help with the distribution process.

Your Source for Exceptional Services and Compassionate Care

Using these methods can help the family find a way to create a system of distribution that feels fair and organized. Getting the proper support is crucial after loss, and if you need professional cremation services in Buena Park, CA, we are here to help you. We are a locally owned company and take great pride in offering exceptional and compassionate services for our clients, so contact us today if you need to schedule an appointment.