The biggest thing is: get your wills done by a lawyer before you need them.

The “by a lawyer” bit is important, because depending on how things are worded, stuff might happen quickly and automatically once the executor kicks off the process, or it could get tied up in government paperwork indefinitely, with the government taking a large cut to sort things out.

The will doesn’t have to be complicated, but it should be done by a lawyer, notarized, and officially filed. This means that presentation of a death certificate to the filing office will automate the legal changes of ownership.

Think of the accounts that only you or your spouse has signing authority over. If one of you dies, what happens? Same for joint accounts.

But it all starts with the death certificates. Striking up a relationship with a funeral director or religious director beforehand is also a good idea.