Estate Compass

Named executor? You don't have to do this alone.

Settling an estate is overwhelming — usually while you're still grieving. Estate Compass walks you through it, step by step, with every legal deadline calculated for you and cited to the law.

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Free: see every probate deadline in seconds

Enter your key dates and instantly see what's due, when — color-coded. California & Florida.

Enter the dates above to see your personalized deadlines.

State-specific estate organizers

Each is built for one state's probate — deadlines, forms, and rules, done for you. Instant download.

California Estate & Probate Organizer

$24
  • Auto deadline tracker cited to the CA Probate Code
  • Executor checklist with progress meter
  • Asset & debt inventory, documents, contacts
  • 9-page handbook + bonus letter templates
Get the California kit

Florida Estate & Probate Organizer

$24
  • Auto deadline tracker cited to Florida law
  • Personal-representative checklist + progress meter
  • Asset & debt inventory, documents, contacts
  • 7-page handbook + bonus letter templates
Get the Florida kit

Why families trust Estate Compass

Cited to the law

Every deadline shows its exact statute or rule, so you — and your attorney — can verify it.

Step by step

A clear path from the first week to closing the estate, with a progress bar so you can see how far you've come.

Calm, not pushy

Built to reduce overwhelm — a clear heads-up before each deadline, never a scare.

Instant & yours

Download today. Works in Excel or Google Sheets, on any computer.

What to do when someone dies — the first steps

A calm, ordered overview for executors and personal representatives. Find your state below.

California: first steps & key deadlines

  1. Order 5–10 certified death certificates.
  2. Locate the will; secure the home, mail, and valuables.
  3. File the will and a Petition for Probate (Form DE-111) with the Superior Court and request Letters.
  4. Once Letters issue, you have 4 months to file the Inventory & Appraisal (DE-160), and the creditor-claim window opens (Prob. Code §8800, §9100).
  5. Send notice to the FTB and Medi-Cal (DHCS) within 90 days (§9202).
  6. Pay debts and taxes, then petition to distribute and close. Most claims are barred one year after death (CCP §366.2).
Get the California organizer

Florida: first steps & key deadlines

  1. Order 5–10 certified death certificates.
  2. Deposit the will with the clerk of court within 10 days of death (Fla. Stat. §732.901).
  3. File a Petition for Administration and request Letters of Administration.
  4. File the Inventory within 60 days of Letters (Fla. Prob. R. 5.340).
  5. Publish Notice to Creditors; claims are due the later of 3 months after first publication or 30 days after service (§733.702).
  6. Pay valid claims and taxes, then distribute and close. All claims are barred two years after death (§733.710). Smaller estates may qualify for summary administration (§735.201).
Get the Florida organizer

Every date above is calculated for you in the organizer — and you can preview them now with the free deadline tool.

Free: your first 7 days as executor

A short, calming guide to the few things that actually matter in week one — no email required.

Download the free guide (PDF)

Questions, answered

How long do I have to file probate in California?
California has no single filing deadline, but the person holding the will must lodge it with the court within 30 days of death, and you should open probate promptly. Once Letters are issued you have 4 months for the Inventory & Appraisal and the creditor-claim window, and most claims are barred one year after death (CCP §366.2). Verify specifics with the probate court.
How long do I have to file probate in Florida?
In Florida the custodian of the will must deposit it with the clerk within 10 days of death (§732.901). There's no fixed deadline to open administration, but claims are barred two years after death (§733.710), so don't wait. Smaller estates may qualify for summary administration (§735.201).
What are an executor's main deadlines?
They vary by state. In California: Inventory & Appraisal and the creditor window run 4 months from Letters, and FTB/Medi-Cal notice within 90 days. In Florida: deposit the will in 10 days, Inventory within 60 days of Letters, and the creditor-claim period after publishing notice. Our organizer calculates all of these from your dates.
Do I always have to go through probate?
Not always. Assets with named beneficiaries, joint ownership, or in a living trust usually pass outside probate, and many states offer a simplified process for small estates. Whatever path applies, the same deadlines and paperwork need tracking.
How long does probate take?
Most estates take several months to over a year, depending on the state, the court's backlog, creditors, and whether anything is contested. Staying ahead of each deadline is the best way to avoid delays — which is exactly what the organizer is built for.
Is this legal advice?
No — it's an organizational tool. Deadlines are cited to current state law, but always verify with a licensed attorney and the probate court.
What do I get, and do I need special software?
An Excel/Google-Sheets organizer (auto deadline tracker, checklist, inventory, contacts), a plain-English handbook, and bonus letter templates — instant download. It opens in Excel or free Google Sheets. California and Florida today, with more states on the way.