After Loss Support

Helping families who have experienced a loss manage administrative tasks

  • Figure out where to start

    Executor tasks are overwhelming. Reluctant Executor works with you and your estate attorney to prioritize these tasks. Understand which ones are time sensitive and which ones are are less important.

  • Stay on track

    Confusion, forgetfulness, and a lack of focus are normal after a loss. These symptoms of brain fog impact your ability to think, which makes completing the numerous executor tasks even more challenging. Reluctant Executor provides a plan and motivation to get through these tasks without letting anything slip through the cracks.

  • Reduce stress

    Grief, returning to work, family dynamics, and more all create pressure during an already stressful time. Handling executor tasks that could require you to sit on the phone for hours and get transferred to multiple departments does not help. Reluctant Executor takes these chores off of your plate, giving your more time to focus on your health.

FAQs

  • After Loss Professionals provide logistical and administrative help for families after a death. Examples include transferring or closing financial accounts, sending forms and death certificates to organizations, searching for accounts unknown to the family, closing out online accounts, and more.

  • Most people only deal with executor tasks 1-2 times in their life, after a close relative passes away. In addition to learning what to do, you are dealing with grief and increased stress. After Loss Professionals help you navigate through these tasks by prioritizing, dealing with unexpected challenges, and keeping you on track.

  • Some estate lawyers may provide some of these services, but most do not. Their primary focus is opening and closing probate, and dealing with problems such as contested wills or family disputes. After Loss Professionals work with estate lawyers to make sure we adhere to all legal advice regarding your estate.

  • Some financial planners may provide some of these services, but most do not. Their services primarily focus on brokerage and retirement accounts, annuities, and possibly life insurance. However, as an executor you'll have to handle tasks involving checking and savings accounts, along with all other assets.

  • Yes. We do not work with families without first arranging a meeting with their estate lawyer. We do not provide legal advice, so it is necessary to work with an estate lawyer from the beginning. They will advise on the the best way to navigate probate and other estate laws in your area.

  • We work with multiple estate lawyers in central Texas. If you don't already have an estate lawyer, we can recommend different lawyers to find the best fit.

  • If you already work with an estate lawyer, we will ask to schedule a meeting with you, the estate lawyer, and us. This meeting will help everyone understand their roles and responsibilities.

  • You can contact us any time for a free consultation. The best time to start working together is after a funeral and before probate is opened. Reluctant Executor does not provide funeral planning support, but we can refer you to various funeral homes. While we can help at any time after a loss, involving us as early as possible helps the tasks run smoother and more efficiently.

  • We can work with any family representative, but in order for us to help with executor tasks we need to have proper authority. This authority usually comes from the executor or administrator.

  • Reluctant Executor can help at any stage after a death. While it's best to start working with us as early as possible, we understand that estate administration can be more complicated than expected. Contact us for help getting back on track.

  • Reluctant Executor is headquartered in Austin, TX, and it is most efficient for us to help families that live in the central Texas area after a loss. If we can't take on your case, we will try to refer you to other After Loss Professionals in your area. We work with families anywhere in the United States for Legacy Planning services.

  • If you the executor of an estate in Texas but live out-of-state, Reluctant Executor's services can help tremendously. We can handle tasks that need someone to by physically present, saving you time and effort.

  • At this time we do not work with estates that are outside the state of Texas. However, we will try to refer you to an After Loss Professional that can service that area.

  • I began my After Loss experience unexpectedly in 2020 when my dad called to tell me he had been diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. After he passed away in 2022, I helped my mom through these tasks. Posting about my experiences on LinkedIn, friends and colleagues began reaching out to tell me about similar things they went through and challenges they were having. I helped these friends, and through this I discovered others doing similar things in an After Loss industry. Central to these professionals is PALS, a community for After Loss Professionals. I graduated their Fall 2023 cohort training course and am part of the growing community of After Loss Pros.