When I was first practicing law in Nashville, I lived about eight miles from the law firm where I worked. Every Friday, I ran to the office with my dog, Oliver. Instead of carrying my work clothes myself, I came up with what I thought was a brilliant idea.

Death Readiness Dispatch

July 15, 2026

Hi there,

 

When I was first practicing law in Nashville, I lived about eight miles from the law firm where I worked. Every Friday, I ran to the office with my dog, Oliver. Instead of carrying my work clothes myself, I came up with what I thought was a brilliant idea. I'd buy Oliver a backpack and he would carry my clothes.

 

I was convinced he'd be happy to help, maybe even honored. I buckled the backpack onto him in front of my house. And he refused to move. He just stood there and I couldn't even get him out of the driveway. Eventually, I admitted defeat, unpacked his backpack, stuffed everything into mine, and we ran to work exactly as we always had.

 

Looking back, I realize I never asked whether the backpack was something Oliver could realistically carry. I simply decided it was his job. That's exactly what happens when someone dies. 

This week, I sat down with estate administration expert Mollie Lacher to talk about the practical side of settling an estate – the countless little tasks that no one prepares you for but that can quickly become big problems if handled in the wrong order.

 

Many people name an adult child, sibling, or close friend to serve as executor because they're responsible, organized, or the person they trust most. But serving as executor isn't an honorary title. It's a job. And it can be a heavy one.

 

Your executor may suddenly be responsible for securing a vacant home, locating assets, dealing with customer service departments, gathering financial records, navigating probate, and making dozens of decisions they never expected to make.

 

The difference is this: When Oliver refused the backpack, I could take it off and carry it myself. When your executor is handed that backpack, you won't be there to lighten the load.

Before you start checking things off...

After someone dies, almost everyone feels the same overwhelming urge to just start doing something.

✓  Pay the bills.

✓  Close the accounts.

✓  Transfer the utilities.

✓  Log into the computer.

✓ Clean out the house.

 

Checking items off the list feels productive. It feels like progress. And when you're grieving, progress feels comforting. But sometimes the smartest first step isn't doing more. It's gathering information.

 

⚠️Before you close a bank account, do you know how it was titled?

⚠️Before you pay a bill, do you know whether it's actually the estate's responsibility?

⚠️Before you try to log into someone's phone or computer, do you know whether doing so could permanently lock you out?

 

These aren't questions most families know to ask. 

How to Avoid Costly Mistakes After a Death

In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ Why “keeping the lights on” is often more important than closing financial accounts

✅ Why you should gather information before making major decisions

✅ The surprising ways forgotten paperwork can lead to hidden assets

✅ How digital accounts can create unexpected complications

✅ Why serving as executor is a job, and why it's okay to ask for help

Your Roadmap After a Loss

Mollie recognized that most people need a roadmap after a loss. That's why she created her course, What to Do After Losing a Loved One. It walks families through the practical steps that come after a death, from knowing the right people to call to understanding what to do next.

 

Download Mollie’s After Loss Checklist to find out:

✓  What to do immediately,

✓ What to do within the first 30 days,

✓ And what you need to keep top of mind.

Thanks for being here.

PS: I shared this graphic on social media  as a teaser for my conversation with Mollie. The model is Boots, our very first foster puppy through Detroit Dog Rescue. One afternoon, she climbed into my office chair. The chair swiveled, she looked completely overwhelmed, and I couldn't resist taking her photo. It's a funny photo but the message behind it is real. Most executors don't realize what the job involves until they're already sitting in the chair.