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"  My mother asked me to be executor of her will. What do I need to know--and what questions should I ask my mother to make sure her wishes are fulfilled? While no one likes to discuss death, I commend you and your mom for taking care of her estate. Smart planning now will save you a lot of time and heartache later.   As executor of her will, you&amp;#039;ll be responsible for overseeing your mother&amp;#039;s property and continuing to pay expenses, such as her mortgage, until all of her debts have been settled. You&amp;#039;ll also have to notify government agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, of her death.   Filing a will can be complicated, so to get in-depth advice, consult an estate attorney or pick up The Executor&amp;#039;s Guide: Settling a Loved One&amp;#039;s Estate or Trust by Mary Randolph. For now, here&amp;#039;s what you can do so you and your family will be better prepared when the time comes:  Review the will and ask your mom any questions. Be frank about discussing potential problems, such as family feuds or a disinheritance. Save your own copy of your mother&amp;#039;s will. Know where to find her financial records--including life insurance, safety deposit boxes, and investments--along with account numbers, contacts, and passwords. Find out who your mother&amp;#039;s accountant, banker, lawyer, and any other financial advisers are. Also, get written permission from your mother to hire professionals, such as a lawyer or a CPA, to help in carrying out the will. Know your mother&amp;#039;s wishes for burial and organ donation--and get them in writing.   REDBOOK Love Network expert David Bach is the author of seven best-selling books, including Go Green, Live Rich. Have a money question for David? Email him at moneysmarts@redbookmag.com. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.redbookmag.com/life/money-career/advice/a4342/money-advice-executing-a-will/>