Why I built AfterKin
AfterKin is a free, step-by-step guide to what to do after someone dies, from the first hours through the funeral, the paperwork, probate, and grief. I built it because I needed it myself.
My story
As my parents got older, I started thinking about what would happen if one of them died suddenly. I realized I did not know the first steps, let alone everything after: who to call, which documents matter, what happens to bank accounts and the house, and when a court gets involved.
In my family, I am the one people turn to with money questions, so I would likely be the one handling it. When I went looking for help, I found pieces spread across government sites, law firm blogs, and forums. Nothing put it all in one place, in plain language, in the order you actually need it.
So I started building that place. AfterKin is the guide I wanted to have before I needed it.
Who I am
I'm Martin. I run AfterKin on my own, using AI tools to research, write, and check the guides. I decide what the site covers, set the rules for which sources count, and approve what gets published and corrected.
I work in fintech and have a background in finance. That shaped what I wanted this site to cover on the money side: bank and retirement accounts, debts, and how an estate pays what it owes. It also means I know how much one wrong number can cost.
I am not a lawyer, accountant, or funeral professional. AfterKin explains how these processes usually work so you can understand your situation and ask better questions. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice. If your situation is complicated, or a lot of money or property is involved, a probate attorney or tax professional is worth talking to.
How the facts are checked
Laws about death and estates change often, and they differ from state to state. A wrong dollar figure or deadline can cost a family time and money, so accuracy comes first.
- The guides are researched and written with AI tools, working from official sources: state laws, court websites, and agencies such as the IRS and the Social Security Administration.
- State rules, such as how small an estate must be to skip full probate, cite the specific state law they come from, so you can check them yourself.
- Every article ends with a list of its sources.
- Dollar figures are rechecked every January and July, when many state laws and inflation adjustments take effect.
- AI tools can make mistakes. When an error is found, or a reader reports one, it is fixed and recorded on the corrections page.
The full process is in the editorial policy. The corrections page also shows where the current state-by-state review stands.
How AfterKin is funded
Everything on AfterKin is free, with no account needed. Some pages include affiliate links, which may earn a commission if you use a service. That never decides what I recommend, and pages with these links say so. The details are in the affiliate disclosure.
Get in touch
If something on the site is wrong, out of date, or unclear, please tell me at martin@afterkin.com. Corrections are my first priority.