THE PARTINGPOINT JOURNAL
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Explore articles on planning, costs, paperwork, and life after a loss. Free to read, with sources you can check.
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8 articles · Newest first
8 guides tagged Estate & aftercare · clear
Where to Keep Your Will and End-of-Life Documents
Where to keep your will and end-of-life documents, and who should have a copy of each one, with the safe deposit box and filing rules for MO, IL and KS.
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What Should a Will Include? And What It Can't Control
What should a will include, and what passes outside it? A plain guide to executors, guardians, bequests, and Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas signing rules.
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Who to Notify When Someone Dies: A Practical Checklist
A checklist of who to notify when someone dies, ordered by urgency: Social Security, employers, insurers, banks, the DMV, credit bureaus, and the post office.
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Social Security Death Benefit: What Survivors Get
The Social Security death benefit is a one-time $255 payment, but survivor benefits are the far bigger money. Who qualifies, the deadlines, and how to apply.
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Kansas Probate Process: What Families Need to Know
A clear look at the Kansas probate process: the six-month filing rule, small estate affidavits, simplified administration, creditor claims, and costs.
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Illinois Probate Process: A Plain Guide for Families
How the Illinois probate process actually works: when it's required, the small estate affidavit limit, creditor deadlines, real timelines, and what it costs.
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How Estate Sales Work: Fees, Timeline, and What to Expect
Learn how estate sales work: what liquidators charge (usually 25–45%), the timeline from walkthrough to empty house, and how to choose a trustworthy company.
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Missouri Probate Explained: Timelines, Costs, and Shortcuts
Understand when Missouri probate is required, the $40,000 small estate shortcut, independent vs. supervised administration, and realistic timelines.
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