The Biggest Mistakes Executors Make When Managing a Loved One''s Estate — And How to Avoid Them
Serving as an executor is an act of trust and responsibility. Most people step into the role with no training, no roadmap, and often during a period of grief — which makes estate management challenging, emotionally loaded, and easy to mishandle unintentionally.
Get Started→Executors in Sterling Heights, Warren, Troy, Fraser, and Center Line often face the same pitfalls. This guide outlines the most common mistakes executors make and how to avoid them with clarity, grace, and confidence.
6 Common Mistakes Executors Make
Trying to Handle Everything Alone
Many executors feel obligated to take on every task personally: paperwork, sorting belongings, storage, home prep, communication with heirs, and arranging auctions or sales. This leads to burnout and mistakes.
How to Avoid It
Create a small, trusted team:
- A realtor
- A probate attorney
- A family representative
- A storage/transition helper
- A financial advisor, if needed
Executors manage; they don''t have to physically do everything.
Moving Too Fast Because of Pressure
Executors often feel rushed by: family expectations, realtors wanting a listing date, deadlines for selling the home, and emotional discomfort. Rushing leads to lost items, unclear decisions, and conflict.
How to Avoid It
Use a phased plan:
- Secure the property
- Sort essential documents
- Identify items to keep
- Set aside auction or donation categories
- Store items requiring review or delayed decisions
Estate transitions rarely need to be done in a weekend.
Not Documenting Belongings
Estate disputes often arise from unclear inventory. Without documentation, families argue about: who gets what, whether something is missing, and whether an executor acted fairly.
How to Avoid It
Document everything:
- Photographs
- Notes
- Folders for each category
- Lists shared with heirs
Transparency prevents conflict.
Poor Storage Decisions
Executors often place valuable or sentimental items in: garages, basements, non-climate storage units, or overloaded boxes. Michigan weather destroys heirlooms quickly.
How to Avoid It
Use climate-controlled storage for:
- Photos
- Military items
- Clothing
- Documents
- Artwork
- Wood pieces
- Collectibles
Preservation is a responsibility of the executor role.
Delaying Financial or Legal Tasks
Grief can cause people to postpone probate steps. But delays often cost money and extend the estate timeline.
How to Avoid It
Create a simple checklist:
- Death certificates
- Change of mailing address
- Bank notifications
- Utility updates
- Realtor consultation
- Probate filing
Small weekly tasks keep the estate moving.
Not Preparing for Emotional Reactions
Families grieve differently: some withdraw, some get angry, some want to keep everything, some want to sell everything, and some avoid decision-making. Executors often get caught in the emotional crossfire.
How to Avoid It
Set expectations early:
"Here''s the process. Here''s the timeline. Here''s what I need from each of you. I will be transparent the entire time."
Clear roles reduce emotional tension.
A Gentle Closing: Support If You Need It
If at any point the sorting, storing, or physical handling becomes too overwhelming, we can help by:
- Delivering totes for family sorting
- Protecting items in climate-controlled storage
- Returning any item when needed
- Working with auctioneers or realtors
- Keeping everything organized and traceable
But whether you involve our team or not, we hope this guide gives you structure and confidence as you carry out an important act of love and responsibility.
Need help managing an estate? Get started with our organized storage solution designed to support executors during estate transitions.
Get Started→