Part I: Getting ready. Overview
If you're asked to be an executor or trustee
Part II: First steps. The first week
The first month
Claiming life insurance, Social Security, and other benefits
Part III: Taking care of the estate. Making sense of the will
If there's no will
Taking inventory
Managing assets and paying bills
Caring for children and their property
Taxes
Part IV: Transferring property. Property that doesn't go through probate
Transferring joint tenancy and other survivorship property
Transferring community property
Claiming money in retirement plans
Claiming payable-on-death assets
Special procedures for small estates
The regular probate process
Part V: Handling trusts. Wrapping up a simple living trust
Managing a child's trust
Part VI: Getting more help
Finding more information
Lawyers and other experts
Glossary
Appendixes. State information
How to use the downloadable forms on the Nolo website.