The Best Estate Bank Accounts (2026): A Complete Guide for Executors

Jump to a Section

What Every Bank Will Ask For · The Only Fully-Online Option: Quorum · National Banks Compared · Brokerages · Online Banks · Credit Unions · State-Specific Rules · Co-Executors & Multi-State · Common Pitfalls · When the Deceased's Bank Won't Help · Decision Framework · Recommendations by Situation

The Hidden Problem Almost No One Mentions

When a loved one dies, opening an estate bank account is one of the first practical tasks an executor has to handle. You need a place to deposit final paychecks, life insurance proceeds, and the cash sitting in the deceased's accounts. You need somewhere to pay funeral bills, mortgage payments, and creditor claims from. Without an estate account, you're stuck — banks will freeze the deceased's individual accounts the moment they learn of the death, and you cannot legally deposit a check made out to "Estate of Jane Doe" into your own account.

Most guides will tell you to "open an estate account at your bank." What they don't tell you: almost every major bank in the US still requires you to visit a branch in person to open one. For a remote executor, an out-of-state co-executor, or anyone caring for a grieving family across town, that's not always practical. As of 2026, we've found exactly one financial institution that lets you open an estate account fully online without notarized mailed paperwork or a branch visit.

This guide compares the major options — national banks, credit unions, brokerages, and online banks — and walks through the state rules and situation-specific factors that may dictate which one you can actually use. The "best" estate bank account isn't a single answer; it's the one that fits your state, your court's restrictions, your co-executors, and the deceased's existing banking relationships.

A note on terminology: an "estate account" is a checking or savings account opened in the name of the estate (e.g. "Estate of John Smith, Jane Smith Executor") using a tax ID number issued specifically for the estate. It is a fiduciary account — you control it as a representative of the estate, not as your personal money. This guide is informational and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Bank policies, fees, and state rules change; verify with the institution and your probate attorney before relying on anything below.

What Every Bank Will Ask For

Regardless of which institution you choose, the document package is remarkably consistent. Bank policies are driven by federal "know your customer" rules plus their own internal fiduciary-account procedures, so the same checklist applies almost everywhere.

Estate EIN

The estate is a separate legal taxpayer the moment the death occurs. The deceased's Social Security number cannot be used to open new accounts, and the IRS expects the estate to file its own income tax return (Form 1041) on any income earned during administration.

Apply at irs.gov. The process takes 10–15 minutes online and the EIN is issued immediately. You'll need your name, your Social Security number, the deceased's information, and the date of death. Read our step-by-step guide to applying for an estate EIN for more detail.

Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration

Court-issued documents that prove you have legal authority to act for the estate. "Letters Testamentary" applies when there is a will; "Letters of Administration" applies when there isn't. In Pennsylvania, Maryland, and a few other states, the equivalent document is called a short certificate.

• Time to receive: typically 30–45 days from filing the probate petition; longer in busy urban courts.
• Banks require certified copies, not photocopies. Order 5–10 from the probate court — you will use them at every financial institution, the DMV, the recorder of deeds, and more.
• Most banks want Letters issued within the last 60 days (sometimes 90). Older Letters may require a fresh "Certificate of Authority" from the court.

Certified Death Certificate

Order at least 10 from the county vital records office or the funeral home. Banks typically keep one for their file.

Your Government ID

A current driver's license or passport. Banks run executors through standard identity verification because you are personally on the account as fiduciary.

Standard Account Title

The account is usually titled something like:

Estate of [Deceased's Full Legal Name], [Your Name], Executor

Some banks use "Personal Representative" instead of "Executor" or omit the executor name from the title plate. What matters is that the title matches your EIN registration and clearly identifies the estate.

The Online Option: Quorum Federal Credit Union

Of every institution we reviewed, Quorum Federal Credit Union's "Probate Express" is the only product that lets you open an estate account fully online — application, document upload, and funding without a branch visit, notarization, or mailed paperwork.

This matters disproportionately for remote executors. A meaningful percentage of executors live out of state from the deceased, can't take time off work to visit a branch, or are physically unable to. For those situations, Quorum is functionally the only mainstream option.

How it works

• Application: Filled out entirely online at info.quorumfcu.org/theonlineestateaccount. Takes a few minutes.
• Documents: Uploaded through the secure portal. Required: executor's government ID, certified death certificate, Letters Testamentary or Administration, and the IRS EIN assignment letter (CP 575).
• Time to open: Typically 24 hours or less after documents are verified.
• Cost: No opening fee, no monthly service fee. A $5 minimum deposit funds the underlying basic savings account; Quorum has historically covered this for you.
• Eligibility: The executor does not need to be a Quorum member personally. Under federal credit union rules, either the deceased or all beneficiaries must be (or become) Quorum members — but membership is free and broadly available nationwide through partner association eligibility. Most applicants qualify without restriction.

What it's good for

• Out-of-state or remote executors
• Estates where the deceased had no significant banking relationship to consolidate
• Executors who can't take time off work for a branch appointment
• Situations where speed matters and the alternative is waiting weeks for a big-bank appointment

What it's not good for

• Florida estates in counties that require a "restricted depository" (Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Broward, and others) — these require a bank with a physical branch in the county
• New York estates — state banking law requires the account to be physically opened at a branch in New York
• Co-executor openings where multiple fiduciaries need to be on the signature card together — call Quorum to confirm policy before applying
• Estates with restricted Letters that explicitly require court-approved depositories

Beyond Quorum, the other institutions that come close to a remote process are Ally Bank (upload documents through secure message, 1–2 week review) and Charles Schwab — Schwab's application is fully online if at least one personal representative already has a Schwab login, otherwise it's a mailed paper application with court-certified Letters. Neither offers Quorum's open-to-anyone, same-day speed, but Schwab in particular is an excellent choice for executors who already bank or invest with Schwab.

National Banks Compared

Every major US bank offers estate accounts, but the experience varies widely. The constants: in-branch only, by appointment, with the standard document package above. The differences are in process speed, branch staff fluency with probate, and how rigid the bank is about co-executors and out-of-state Letters.

At a Glance

Chase

• Existing customer required: No
• Process: In-branch only, by appointment. Chase explicitly states you cannot open an estate account online.
• Account types: Estate checking (titled "Estate of [Deceased], [Executor], Executor"), estate savings, and CDs. Private Client customers go through their Relationship Manager.
• Fees: Standard checking fee schedule; the $12 monthly service fee can usually be waived by branch manager request for estate accounts — confirm in writing.
• Known friction: Some branches insist the account be opened in the state where the deceased was domiciled, not where the executor lives — a frequently-reported headache for out-of-state executors. Chase typically requires all co-executors to be physically present at the same appointment. Branch staff familiarity varies; consider calling ahead to confirm a banker trained on fiduciary accounts is available.
• Best for: Executors who live near a Chase branch and want one of the broadest US branch networks.
• Less ideal: Geographically scattered co-executors, or when the deceased was domiciled in a state where Chase has no branches.

Chase estate account info

Bank of America

• Existing customer required: No, but workflow strongly assumes you already have a relationship via the deceased's accounts.
• Process: Estate notification can begin online through the Estate Services portal, but the account itself must be opened at a financial center.
• Account types: Estate checking and savings.
• Fees: Standard fee schedule; ask about estate fee waivers at opening — they are not automatic.
• Known friction: Slow document review is the most common complaint — executors report multi-month delays releasing funds even after probate documents are submitted. Bankers may attempt to upsell BofA wealth-management services before processing estate paperwork. The online Estate Services portal is for closing the deceased's existing accounts, not for opening a new estate account — easy to confuse.
• Best for: Estates where the deceased already banked with BofA and you want to consolidate everything under one roof.
• Less ideal: If you need fast access to estate funds.

Bank of America Estate Services

Wells Fargo

• Existing customer required: Effectively no, but with a major caveat.
• Process: In-branch. Documents can also be mailed to the Estate Care Center in Charlotte, NC, but the account opening still requires a branch visit.
• Account types: Estate checking; estate savings on request.
• Fees: Standard fee schedule.
• Known friction: Multiple executors report Wells Fargo branch staff incorrectly stating that the bank "doesn't offer estate accounts" and trying to push them into opening a personal account in the executor's own name — which creates serious fiduciary and tax problems. Wells Fargo does offer estate accounts; ask for a branch manager and reference the Estate Care Center directly. Holds on incoming large deposits are common (5–7 business days on checks over $50K).
• Best for: Executors with an existing Wells Fargo relationship who can leverage a known banker.
• Less ideal: First-time interaction with an unfamiliar branch.

Wells Fargo Estate Care Center · Checklist (PDF)

U.S. Bank

• Existing customer required: No
• Process: In-branch, by appointment.
• Account types: Estate checking and savings.
• Fees: Standard schedule; ask for fiduciary fee waiver at opening.
• Known friction: Branch footprint is concentrated in the West and Midwest — executors in the Northeast or Southeast may have no nearby branch. Generally well-regarded for executor responsiveness compared to BofA and Wells Fargo.
• Best for: Executors in U.S. Bank's footprint (especially CA, MN, OH, CO).
• Less ideal: East of the Mississippi with no nearby branch.

Citi (Citibank)

• Existing customer required: No, but Citi's shrinking US branch footprint makes it impractical for many.
• Process: Online estate questionnaire to start the notification process; in-branch for opening.
• Branch network: ~6 major metros (NYC, DC, LA, SF, Miami, Chicago). If the deceased's home state isn't on that list, opening locally is impossible.
• Known friction: The Estate Servicing Unit and the general Estate Servicing Center sometimes give conflicting instructions. Document processing takes 7–10 business days; missing-info errors restart the clock.
• Best for: Executors in a major Citi metro where the deceased also banked with Citi.
• Less ideal: Anywhere outside Citi's narrow metro footprint.

PNC Bank

• Existing customer required: No
• Process: In-branch by appointment. Often a two-appointment process — PNC reviews documents, follows up within ~4 business days, and schedules a second appointment if anything is missing.
• Account types: Estate checking, savings, and CDs; Trust & Estate Administration arm available for larger estates.
• Known friction: Plan for two trips. Branch staff in newer PNC markets (former BBVA territory in TX, AZ, CA, NM, CO) report less consistent fiduciary training.
• Best for: Executors in PNC's Mid-Atlantic and Midwest core footprint who value a methodical process.
• Less ideal: When you need to move fast.

Truist

• Existing customer required: No
• Process: In-branch only.
• Account types: Estate checking, savings; full trust and estate services via Truist Wealth for $1M+ estates.
• Known friction: Lingering BB&T/SunTrust integration inconsistencies — legacy branches may still use different signature card forms and processes. Footprint concentrated in the Southeast.
• Best for: Executors in the Southeast (NC, VA, GA, FL).
• Less ideal: When the deceased banked at a former BB&T or SunTrust branch that has since closed — paperwork trails can be messy.

Capital One

• Existing customer required: No, but Capital One's estate-account availability is notably weak.
• Process: Very limited branch coverage (mostly NY, NJ, VA, MD, DC, LA, TX). Estate settlement is handled by their Bank Estates Operations unit primarily via mail and phone using a Letter of Instruction form.
• Reality: Capital One primarily settles the deceased's accounts by issuing checks to the estate rather than opening new estate accounts for outside funds. Executors widely report being told to open the estate account elsewhere.
• Best for: Closing out the deceased's existing Capital One 360 or credit card accounts only.
• Less ideal: Opening a new estate account — go elsewhere.

Brokerages: When You Want Cash to Earn Something

For estates expected to stay open more than 6–12 months, a brokerage estate account can earn meaningfully more interest than a bank checking account (which often pays nothing).

At a Glance

Charles Schwab — Schwab One Estate Account

• Process: Fully online if at least one personal representative already has a Schwab login — sign in and start the application from the Schwab Estate Account Application page. Without an existing Schwab relationship, the alternative is to download the application, complete it, and mail it in with court-certified Letters dated within the last 60 days. Either way, no branch visit required.
• Cost: No account-opening fee, no minimum. Cash sits in a sweep earning the current Schwab sweep rate; can be invested in money market funds for substantially higher yield.
• Best for: Estates with investable assets, estates expected to stay open over a year, or executors who want stocks and cash consolidated in one place. Especially smooth if an executor or co-executor is already a Schwab client — the online flow makes this one of the fastest non-credit-union options.
• Less ideal: When you need a debit card and physical check-writing on day one. Schwab provides checks, but onboarding is brokerage-paced, not checking-paced. If no personal rep has a Schwab login, the paper path is slower than Quorum or Ally.

Schwab Estate Account Application · Schwab Estate Account overview

Fidelity Investments

• Process: Mailed paper application. Fidelity offers an online inheritance notification flow for upstream steps, but the estate-account opening itself is paper-based.
• Cost: No account fee, no minimum.
• Best for: Estates where the deceased already held Fidelity assets — consolidation is seamless.
• Less ideal: When you need a fully online open.

Fidelity Estate Account

Vanguard

• Process: Partial — Vanguard accepts uploaded scans of death certificates and court documents through their secure portal, but opening typically requires phone coordination with the Transition Services team (877-662-7447).
• Reality: Primarily a transfer destination for inherited brokerage assets — not a general probate operating account.
• Best for: Settling estates where the deceased already had Vanguard brokerage or mutual fund holdings.
• Less ideal: A checking-style estate account for routine bill-paying.

Online Banks: A Limited Field

Most online-only banks do not offer estate accounts at all. Here's the landscape:

The exceptions and notable absences in detail:

• Ally Bank — Yes, with a partial-online process. Documents and a completed PDF application can be uploaded via secure message; Ally contacts you within 7 business days. No branch visit required (Ally has no branches). No monthly fee, no minimum, interest-bearing. Time to open: ~1–2 weeks. Slower than Quorum but a real option. Ally estate process
• Marcus by Goldman Sachs — No. Marcus's Deposit Account Agreement explicitly excludes fiduciary accounts: "Accounts may not be opened or maintained by a fiduciary such as an executor, conservator, guardian, or trustee." Marcus will release the deceased's funds to the estate but will not host an estate account.
• Discover Bank — Effectively no. Discover's published deceased-customer process is a payout and closure process, not a fiduciary deposit-account product.
• Capital One 360 — Not as an online product. Capital One handles deceased-customer matters through its Estates team and points to brick-and-mortar branches for new estate accounts.
• SoFi — No dedicated estate-account product.

Credit Unions

Beyond Quorum, several credit unions offer estate accounts — most with eligibility restrictions and none with a fully online process.

• Navy Federal Credit Union — Yes, but application is by fax, secure message, or mail. The executor must be eligible for membership (military, veteran, DoD, family); if the deceased was not a member, all beneficiaries must be. Up to 10 business days to open. Best for military families where the deceased already banked at Navy Federal.
• PenFed Credit Union — Yes, branded as Access America Checking for Estates. Phone-and-mail process. Either the deceased was a PenFed member or the executor qualifies for membership. Interest-bearing, no opening fee, but no ATM/debit cards on estate accounts. Days to weeks to open.
• Alliant Credit Union — Limited. Offers a trust account and "Dispersal Form for Deceased Member," but no dedicated estate account product. Generally requires an existing Alliant relationship; contact Special Services (1-800-328-1935).
• State Employees' Credit Union (SECU, North Carolina) — Yes, with an unusually generous policy: even non-members can open an estate account if the deceased was a SECU member. Handled through Member Services Support or local branches. Best for NC executors settling a SECU member's estate.

State-Specific Rules and Gotchas

Bank choice can collide with state probate rules in ways that aren't obvious. The most important state-specific considerations:

Florida — Restricted Depositories

In many Florida counties (Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Broward, and others), the court issues "Letters of Administration" with explicit restrictions and requires estate funds to be held in a court-designated restricted depository — a bank that won't release funds without a court order. This generally rules out Quorum, Ally, and any online-only bank for these estates. You'll need a national bank with a physical branch in the probate county.

Also: Florida homestead property is constitutionally protected from creditors and passes outside probate. Don't deposit proceeds from a homestead sale into the estate account if there are unsecured creditors — those funds are not available to pay them.

New York — In-State Opening Rule

NY banking law requires that estate accounts be opened physically at a branch within New York State, even if the executor lives elsewhere. Once opened, you can transact online from anywhere — but the initial opening must happen in-state. This rules out Quorum, Ally, and other online-only banks for the initial opening. Chase, Citi, BofA, TD, and other banks with NY branches are the realistic options.

NY banks also typically want a Certificate of Letters dated within 90 days, not just the Letters themselves.

Pennsylvania — Short Certificates

PA doesn't issue traditional Letters Testamentary. The Register of Wills issues short certificates — single-page documents that most banks want fresh (usually within 60 days), costing about $10–25 each. Order plenty up front; every bank, brokerage, and title company will demand one.

Texas — Independent Administration

Texas defaults to independent administration when the will allows it, with minimal court oversight. Texas executors often complain that out-of-state banks (especially online-only ones) don't recognize Texas's unique Letters format, which can simply be a court order naming the independent executor. Be prepared to walk a non-Texas banker through the document.

California — IAEA Powers

California's Independent Administration of Estates Act gives most personal representatives broad authority to act without court approval. Banks in California are familiar with this — show Letters that say "full authority" and you're treated as having unrestricted signing power. "Limited authority" means real estate sales need court approval, but bank account operations don't.

Community Property States (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)

In community property states, the surviving spouse automatically owns half of everything acquired during the marriage. Joint accounts with a surviving spouse usually pass outside probate — the bank will retitle on presentation of a death certificate, no Letters needed. Individually-titled accounts that contain community property funds may still need probate, but the spouse is entitled to their 50% share regardless of what the will says.

Texas wrinkle: if the deceased had children from a prior relationship, the deceased's 50% of community property passes to those children, not the surviving spouse. The estate account may need to hold that share until distribution.

Restricted vs. Unrestricted Letters

Several states issue Letters with restrictions printed on the face — limiting the executor's authority to sell real estate, distribute assets, or write checks above a threshold without first getting a court order. Banks will read the Letters and may refuse to open an account, or open it with restrictions matching the court's language. Read your Letters carefully; if you see "restricted" anywhere, ask your probate attorney whether the bank you want is on the county's approved list.

Small Estate Affidavits — When You May Not Need an Account at All

Most states have a "small estate" shortcut that lets heirs claim assets — including bank balances — by sworn affidavit, without full probate or an estate account. Thresholds vary widely:

• California: $208,850 (2026 limit, indexed)
• Michigan: $53,000 for 2026 deaths
• Georgia: $15,000 for bank account affidavits
• Oklahoma: $50,000 for bank deposits
• Other states range from around $10,000 (Alabama) to over $184,000 (Nevada, for spouses)

When a small estate affidavit is available, banks often have their own internal threshold — and some accept affidavits even when the state limit is higher. Always call the deceased's bank first.

Read our deeper guide to small estate affidavits and skipping probate.

Co-Executor and Multi-State Situations

If the will names two or more co-executors, the default rule in most states is that all co-executors must sign jointly for major transactions. Banks usually enforce this by:

• Requiring both signatures on checks above a small threshold
• Requiring all co-executors to be physically present to open the account
• Some banks accept a notarized signature card by mail; others require all parties in branch on the same day

Exceptions:

• If the will explicitly says "either executor may act alone" or "the executors may act severally," banks will accept single signatures.
• A few states (New York, for instance) allow co-executors to act independently for routine matters.
• One co-executor can grant the other a power of attorney to handle banking.

If your co-executor is in another state, avoid online-only banks. Co-executor account openings almost always require an in-person branch visit with all parties.

Common Pitfalls to Watch For

Patterns that show up repeatedly in executor forums (Bogleheads, r/Estate_Planning, r/personalfinance):

1. Banks freezing the deceased's accounts immediately. The moment a bank receives notice of death (often from the funeral home or Social Security), it freezes the deceased's individual accounts. Direct deposits bounce, autopays fail, and you cannot access the funds until you present Letters and the EIN. The estate account is the only path forward — open it as fast as you can.

2. Wire and ACH daily limits. Many estate accounts have lower online limits than personal accounts. Consolidating a $500,000 brokerage account into the estate account may require multiple wires or a cashier's check (which then triggers deposit holds). Ask before opening: "What's the daily wire limit? What's the wire-out fee? Can I increase the limit with a one-time authorization?"

3. Long holds on incoming checks. Banks can extend funds-availability holds for new accounts and large deposits. Executors routinely report 7–10 business day holds, sometimes longer for life insurance proceeds or sale-of-house checks. Don't promise creditors or beneficiaries a payment date until you've confirmed when funds will clear.

4. Bank staff unfamiliar with probate paperwork. A teller or universal banker may not have opened an estate account in years and will sometimes refuse documents that are perfectly valid — Pennsylvania short certificates, Texas independent executor orders, restricted Florida Letters. The fix: ask for the branch's estate or trust specialist by name before you go in, or use the bank's centralized estate services line.

5. Premature account closure for inactivity. If the estate account sits at a low balance with no transactions for 6–12 months, some banks will mark it dormant and either charge a fee or close it. Make a small monthly transaction to keep it active during long probates.

6. FDIC insurance limit. FDIC coverage is $250,000 per estate at a single bank, regardless of how many beneficiaries there are. Estate accounts do not get pass-through coverage the way some trust accounts do. If you'll be holding more than $250,000 in cash for any length of time, split across multiple banks or park excess cash in a Treasury money market fund.

7. Bank setoff rights. If the deceased had debt at the same bank where they had deposits (credit card, loan), the bank may legally apply the deposit balance against the debt before releasing any funds. This is most common with credit unions. If the deceased owed money to their main bank, plan to open the estate account elsewhere.

When the Deceased's Bank Won't Open an Account for Non-Customers

Some banks — particularly smaller community banks and certain credit unions — will only open an estate account if you are already a customer or eligible for membership. If the deceased had significant funds at one of these institutions, you have three options.

The two-account approach. Open an estate account at your own bank (or a national bank that opens for anyone with valid Letters, like Chase). Ask the deceased's bank to issue a cashier's check payable to "Estate of [Deceased]" for the account balance. Deposit it into your new estate account. You'll lose a few days to deposit holds, but this works every time.

Cashier's check transfer. The most reliable option. Cashier's checks have no daily limit, they're guaranteed funds, and they're easy for the receiving bank to verify. Cost: $10–15. Downside: deposit hold of 5–10 business days for large amounts at a brand-new account.

Wire transfer. Fastest (same-day) but most expensive ($25–35 outgoing + ~$15 incoming) and requires both banks to support wires from fiduciary accounts. Some banks won't initiate outgoing wires from a new estate account during a 30-day "seasoning" period.

A Decision Framework

Before committing to any bank, run through this checklist:

1. Do I have the EIN and certified Letters in hand? Don't shop without them.
2. Are my Letters restricted? Does my state or county require a restricted depository? If yes, you need a court-approved local bank.
3. Am I in NY, FL, or another state with location requirements? Online-only options may be off the table.
4. Do I have co-executors who need to be on the account? If they're in different states, plan for an in-person branch visit somewhere both can attend.
5. Will the balance exceed $250,000? Split across multiple banks for FDIC coverage.
6. Will probate take longer than 12 months? A brokerage estate account (Schwab, Fidelity) or interest-bearing online option may earn meaningful interest.
7. Will I need to receive large wires or deposit large checks quickly? Confirm hold policies and wire limits before opening.
8. Was the deceased an existing customer at a major bank with good estate services? That is usually the easiest path.

Quick Recommendations by Situation

• You're a remote executor and the deceased had no significant bank relationship to consolidate: Quorum Federal Credit Union — the only true fully-online option.
• The deceased was an existing customer at a major bank (Chase, BofA, Wells Fargo, US Bank): Open at that bank. Existing relationship dramatically speeds things up.
• Florida estate with restricted Letters: A national bank with a branch in the probate county. Confirm with the court which depositories are approved.
• New York estate: A bank with NY branches — Chase, Citi, BofA, or TD. The initial opening must happen in-state.
• Estate likely to stay open over a year with significant cash: Schwab One Estate Account — interest-bearing brokerage account, no monthly fee. If an executor or co-executor has an existing Schwab login, the application is fully online; otherwise it's a mailed-application process.
• Military family, deceased banked at Navy Federal: Navy Federal estate account, by fax or mail.
• NC estate, deceased was a SECU member: SECU, even if you're not a member yourself.
• Insolvent estate: A no-fee online or credit union account (Ally, Quorum) so the low balance doesn't get eaten by monthly maintenance fees.
• Co-executors in different states: A national bank with a branch convenient for both, on the same day, in person. Skip the online-only options.

A Note on What This Guide Isn't

This is informational only. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Bank policies, fees, and state probate rules change — verify with the institution and your probate attorney before making decisions that affect estate funds. SwiftProbate is an informational tool to help you understand and organize the probate process; for any situation involving contested claims, suspected financial abuse, or complex tax exposure, consult a licensed attorney in your state. See our state-by-state directory of free probate legal resources if you need help finding one.