Do I still need an attorney? +
It depends on the estate. Simple estates — a few bank accounts, no real property, under $100K — often don't require an attorney at all. Settlr tells you clearly which tasks warrant professional legal help and which ones you can handle yourself. For complex estates with real estate, business interests, or significant assets, we'll flag the right moments to involve an attorney — and can refer you to one.
Is Settlr specific to my state? +
Yes. Probate thresholds, creditor notice periods, filing deadlines, and small estate procedures vary significantly by state. Settlr customizes your checklist and timeline based on the state where the deceased lived. We currently cover all 50 states, with full state-specific logic for the 20 most common probate states.
What if the deceased didn't leave a will? +
Settlr handles intestate (no will) estates too. When there's no will, assets are distributed according to your state's intestacy laws. We'll flag this during onboarding, adjust your checklist accordingly, and explain the intestate succession rules that apply in your state.
How is this different from just Googling it? +
Google gives you general information. Settlr gives you a personalized action plan. The difference is knowing what to do, in what order, by when — for your specific state, estate size, and role. Getting the sequence wrong is expensive: if you distribute assets before paying creditors, you can be personally liable. Settlr eliminates that risk.
Is my information secure? +
Yes. We take privacy seriously. Your estate information is encrypted at rest and in transit, never sold to third parties, and never used for advertising. We don't share your data with anyone — including attorneys, financial advisors, or insurance companies — without your explicit consent.
How long does estate settlement actually take with Settlr? +
The legal minimum is typically 4–6 months (state creditor notice periods must expire). With Settlr, most simple estates close in 4–7 months. Complex estates or those requiring probate court proceedings typically take 9–14 months. Without guidance, the average is 12–18 months — mostly time lost to confusion and error.