Executor’s Compass™
A step-by-step guide for executors — from the first 48 hours to closing the estate
Being named an executor is often described as an honour. What it actually involves is rarely explained upfront.
Executor’s Compass™ is a self-guided, interactive tool that walks you through every phase of estate administration, with province-specific guidance, plain language explanations, and practical prompts that help you know what to do, what to ask, and what to watch for at every stage.
Time: work at your own pace
Format: self-guided, interactive
Device: desktop, tablet, or mobile
What this is
Executor’s Compass™ is a comprehensive, self-paced guide designed for people who’ve been named executor; whether they’ve already started, are preparing ahead of time, or are somewhere in the middle and feeling uncertain about what comes next.
You’ll be guided through each phase of the process with clear explanations of what’s involved, what’s time-sensitive, and where things tend to go wrong. Province-specific context is woven throughout so you’re not left trying to figure out what applies to your situation.
It’s designed to be used before the role becomes active, in the early days after a death when everything feels urgent, or at any point when you’re not sure what the next step should be.
By the time you’ve worked through it, you’ll have a much clearer picture of what the role actually involves and what you’ll need to handle it well.
What’s covered
- The first 48 hours — what needs to happen immediately and what can wait
- Locating the will and confirming your role
- Notifying the right people and institutions
- Securing and inventorying the estate
- Probate — when it’s needed and how it works in your province
- Managing assets, debts, and ongoing obligations
- Tax filings and clearance certificates
- Communicating with beneficiaries
- Distributing the estate and closing things out
- Province-specific terminology and context throughout
What this is not
- legal advice or a substitute for a lawyer
- financial, tax, or accounting advice
- a document preparation service
- a replacement for professional support in complex situations
Executor’s Compass™ is designed to help you understand what you’re dealing with and prepare more confidently, not to replace the professionals you’ll likely need along the way.
Who this is for
This tool is a good fit if you:
- have been named executor and want to understand what that actually means
- are in the middle of administering an estate and aren’t sure what comes next
- want to prepare before the role becomes active
- are supporting someone who’s been named executor and want to help them navigate it
- prefer to arrive at professional conversations informed rather than overwhelmed
You don’t need prior experience or legal knowledge to begin.
Also available as a suite
The Executor’s Compass™ Suite includes everything in the Compass plus two additional tools:
- Estate Administration Spreadsheet — a practical tracking tool for assets, debts, contacts, and tasks
- Executor’s Planner — a structured planning document to help you stay organized through every phase
Access and purchase details
You’ll receive an email with:
- the private access page URL
- your password
- simple instructions to begin
Important: Because this is a digital experience delivered immediately and can’t be returned, all purchases are final.
Disclaimer: This content is for general information only and is not legal, financial, medical, or tax advice.
Compass only: $49 | Full Suite: $99
