Partner with ExecutorBench

What Is ExecutorBench?

ExecutorBench is a web-based estate settlement workflow tool that guides executors through probate, small estate procedures, task management, asset tracking, and document preparation. It's designed for the person named as executor who needs state-specific guidance and practical tools to settle an estate.

Why Partner With ExecutorBench?

The Problem Funeral Directors See

Families call you for guidance on what happens next after the service. You know funeral logistics, but probate questions are outside your scope. You lose an opportunity to deepen the relationship and provide comprehensive aftercare.

The Solution

Give families a co-branded "After-Loss Checklist" PDF: a two-page guide to the essential tasks in the first days after death. It mentions your funeral home, links to ExecutorBench (your recommendation), and positions your home as a partner in the entire process, not just the service.

What You Get

Tier 1: Free Checklist Distribution

Provide the co-branded "After-Loss Checklist" to every family:

• Their funeral home's logo and name on the checklist
• ExecutorBench branding and QR link
• Covers the six essential first tasks (death certificates, securing property, locating will, dependent care, SSA notification, mail forwarding)
• Positions the funeral home as the family's first point of guidance
• Low friction for you (we provide the PDF template; you add your logo)

Cost to you: Free. You print and distribute.

Tier 2: Discount Codes (Optional)

Offer families $50 off ExecutorBench's Guided plan ($399 becomes $349):

• Tracked code unique to your funeral home
• Families can redeem online
• No inventory, no management on your side
• Your name becomes associated with the solution

Cost to you: Free (ExecutorBench handles tracking and fulfillment).

Tier 3: Revenue Share (Optional, Larger Commitment)

For funeral homes distributing codes to 50+ families per month:

• Revenue share: families who convert receive a small referral fee to your home
• White-label option available for homes wanting deeper integration
• Requires formal partnership agreement

Why It Works

1. Better aftercare: Families get a clear first action list instead of silence. You look thoughtful and organized.

2. Soft recommendation: The checklist naturally leads to ExecutorBench. No hard sell, just a useful tool.

3. Cost-effective: Printing costs pennies per checklist. No revenue-share overhead unless you choose Tier 2/3.

4. Differentiator: Independents (not SCI or Dignity) emphasize personalized care. This proves it.

5. Subtle branding: Your funeral home's name and contact info on the checklist stay top-of-mind as families settle the estate over the next 6 to 12 months.

The Ask

From independent and small-chain funeral homes in [your city/region]:

We're reaching out to 50 to 100 funeral homes, starting with those known for excellent aftercare and family relationships. We'd like to:

1. Send you 50 printed, pre-designed co-branded checklists (your logo added)
2. Invite you to distribute them to every family over the next 90 days
3. Optionally offer discount codes (Tier 2) if you'd like to track referrals
4. Measure together: track how many families access the tool via your QR code

If this resonates, we're open to a longer-term partnership or white-label integration.

Sample Metrics (Tier 1 Only, No Revenue Tracking)

• Checklists printed and distributed: X
• Families who accessed ExecutorBench via QR: X%
• Feedback from families: [collected periodically]

We report back quarterly so you see impact.

Next Step

If interested, reply to this letter or call [contact]. We'll send you a sample checklist to review and discuss timelines. If it's a fit, we'll get you printed checklists within 2-3 weeks and launch together.

Preview the tool families see: ExecutorBench's eligibility checker

Contact

ExecutorBench [Email] [Phone] [Website]

All checklists carry the exact disclaimer: "ExecutorBench provides self-help workflow software and document preparation support. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice."

Why Funeral Homes Choose This:

• No cost or complexity: You distribute a PDF. We handle everything else.
• Genuine value: Families actually need this guidance in the first days.
• Branding benefit: Your name on the checklist keeps you top-of-mind through estate settlement.
• Competitive advantage: Larger chains don't offer this level of personal guidance.
• Measurable: You can see how many families engaged through your specific link.

This is about being the funeral director who stayed helpful long after the service ended.

A practical guide to the essential tasks in the first days after a death.

[Funeral Home Logo] [Funeral Home Name] in partnership with ExecutorBench

Why This Checklist?

The first days after a death are overwhelming. This checklist covers the essential practical tasks many executors handle in the first week. There's no need to do everything today, but these steps prevent problems and keep critical processes moving.

Essential First Tasks

1. Obtain 10 to 15 Certified Death Certificates

Why: Nearly every institution (banks, insurance, Social Security, employers) will request a certified copy. Once you send a copy to an organization, you can't get it back.

How:

• Contact the county vital records office (or funeral home, which may offer this service)
• Order 10-15 certified copies
• Cost: $20-30 per copy ($200-450 total)
• Timeline: 2-4 weeks by mail; expedited options available

Timeline: Start this immediately; death certificates are needed for almost every step that follows.

2. Secure the Residence, Vehicles, Mail, and Valuables

Why: Prevents theft, fraud, and deterioration of property. Also prevents missed mail containing important account information.

How:

• Lock all doors and windows at the residence
• Move valuables and important documents to a safe location (safe deposit box, your home, etc.)
• Collect mail daily
• Secure vehicles (prevent unauthorized use)
• Contact the utility company if the home will be vacant

Timeline: Days 1-3 after death.

3. Locate the Original Will

Why: The will determines who inherits and who serves as executor. You'll need it for probate (if required) or estate settlement.

How:

• Check the decedent's home (desk, files, safe)
• Contact the attorney who drafted the will (if known)
• Check a safe deposit box at the bank (the bank may release it with a death certificate)
• If no will is found, the estate is settled under state intestacy law (no one's at fault)

Timeline: Days 1-5 after death.

4. Arrange Care for Dependents and Pets

Why: Ensures continuity of care for anyone relying on the decedent.

How:

• If there are minor children, confirm a guardian is in place (per the will or by family arrangement)
• Arrange pet care (boarding, rehoming, or assignment to family member)
• Notify school, childcare, or medical providers of custody changes if needed
• Collect information on any regular care routines (medications, feeding, schedule)

Timeline: Days 1-3 after death; ongoing until arrangements are finalized.

5. Stop Social Security Payments (Notify SSA)

Why: Social Security benefits should stop immediately after death. The funeral home often reports the death automatically, but confirm it was done to prevent overpayments.

How:

• Call the Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213
• Provide the decedent's Social Security number and date of death
• Ask if the death was reported; confirm it's in the system
• Ask about survivor benefits for spouse, children, or dependents

Timeline: Days 1-7 after death.

6. Forward Mail via USPS

Why: Estate-related mail (bank statements, insurance notices, legal documents) needs to reach you. Forwarding prevents missed deadlines and lost information.

How:

• Go to USPS.com or visit your local post office
• Complete a mail forwarding request
• Forward all mail from the decedent's address to your address
• Cost: $1.10 online or in-person

Timeline: Days 3-7 after death.

What Happens Next?

After these six essential tasks, you'll determine your next step:

• Is probate required? This depends on the estate size and whether it contains real property. Use our free eligibility checker to find out.

• Do you need a probate attorney? If so, contact an estate planning or probate attorney in your state.

• Can you use a streamlined process (small estate affidavit)? For smaller estates, you can often skip court entirely.

• Need a step-by-step guide? ExecutorBench provides personalized guidance for your state, with checklists, deadlines, and document templates.

Free Tools to Help

[QR code or link to eligibility checker]

ExecutorBench's Small Estate Eligibility Checker Answer three quick questions and find out:

• Whether your state offers a streamlined process
• The estate value limit
• What deadlines apply
• Your next steps

Disclaimer

ExecutorBench provides self-help workflow software and document preparation support. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This checklist is general guidance; your state may have specific requirements or deadlines. Consult an attorney licensed in your state if you have legal questions about your estate or your role as executor.

About [Funeral Home Name]

[Funeral home contact information]

We believe aftercare begins with providing families the guidance and tools they need during estate settlement. That's why we partner with ExecutorBench to give you this checklist and access to personalized estate guidance.

If you have questions about this checklist or need support in the coming weeks, please reach out.

© 2026 ExecutorBench. Used with permission by [Funeral Home Name].

For Estate Planning and Probate Attorneys

Use this template to refer clients with small estates who don't fit your practice's minimum estate size.

[Attorney Letterhead]

Date: [Today's date]

To: [Client Name]

Re: Estate Settlement Guidance for [Decedent Name]'s Estate

Dear [Client Name],

Thank you for reaching out regarding the settlement of [Decedent Name]'s estate. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss your situation.

After reviewing the details you provided, I want to be transparent: our firm focuses on larger and more complex estates (typically $[threshold] and above), and [Decedent Name]'s estate appears to fall below that threshold. Rather than take your matter at rates that don't match the complexity, I'd like to recommend a cost-effective alternative that's perfect for your situation.

A Better Fit for Your Estate

ExecutorBench is a self-help workflow tool designed specifically for smaller estates and executors who want to handle settlement without a full attorney retainer. Based on what you've described, your estate likely qualifies for:

• Small estate affidavit procedure (most states offer this for estates under a certain threshold)
• Streamlined administration (faster than full probate, often closing in 2-4 months)
• Self-service cost: $399 for guided planning, $1,495 for complete documents and support

ExecutorBench provides:

• State-specific procedures and deadlines
• A complete task checklist
• Templates for required documents
• Step-by-step guidance through settlement
• Deadline tracking and reminders

This is typically 10-15% of what full attorney representation costs, and it's appropriate for your estate's size and complexity.

What This Means for Your Next Steps

1. Visit executorbench.com/tools/eligibility-checker to confirm whether a streamlined process applies in your state.

2. If you encounter legal questions that require attorney advice (disputes, complex assets, tax issues), I'm still available for limited consulting on an hourly basis.

3. ExecutorBench can guide you through 90% of the process; use me for the final 10% if needed.

Why I'm Recommending This

This referral is about giving you the right tool at the right cost. Our law firm's minimum reflects our overhead and expertise for complex estates; your estate doesn't need that level of service. ExecutorBench fills that gap perfectly, and I've referred dozens of clients with positive results.

It's better for you (lower cost), better for your executor experience (guided step-by-step), and honestly, better for me (I can focus on clients who need full representation).

Next Steps

• Visit ExecutorBench's eligibility checker to confirm your options
• Review their resources and guidance
• If you hit a legal roadblock, call me; I'm happy to advise on specific questions

I'm confident ExecutorBench will guide you through this smoothly.

Best regards,

[Attorney Name]
[Law Firm Name]
[Phone]
[Email]

Note for Attorneys

This template can be customized with:

• Your firm's name, letterhead, and contact info
• Your state's small estate thresholds (ExecutorBench supports CA, TX, FL, NY, IL)
• Your minimum estate size
• Your hourly consulting rate (if you want to offer limited follow-up)

The goal is to position ExecutorBench as a complementary tool, not a competitor. Most clients appreciate the honest referral and often call you for questions later (when you can charge for limited consulting).

Why This Referral Model Works

For you (the attorney):

• Frees up time for larger estates
• Builds goodwill with the client (they remember you helped, even if you didn't handle the full matter)
• Often results in limited consulting work later (billed hourly)
• Positions you as knowledgeable and generous, not dismissive

For the client:

• Gets appropriate guidance at appropriate cost
• Doesn't feel rejected (you're referring them to a real solution)
• Can still reach out if they need legal advice
• Completes estate settlement faster and cheaper

For ExecutorBench:

• Grows referral volume from trusted sources
• Positions executorbench.com as the alternative to expensive attorneys for small estates

How to Attribute the Referral

If you're comfortable sharing your referral, ask ExecutorBench to track it. Each referral can include:

• Your attorney name (for attribution)
• A custom referral code (so ExecutorBench knows referrals came from you)
• Results (how many referred clients used the service)

For details, contact executorbench.com/partners.

Disclaimer: ExecutorBench provides self-help workflow software and document preparation support. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorneys should modify this template to reflect their own practice, state law, and client situations. ExecutorBench does not recommend referring clients to any specific attorney or limiting your own practice based on estate size.