Probate Checklist
- Secure Any Real Estate
- Post No Trespassing Notice (If real estate is vacant)
- Obtain Vacant Property Insurance Rider (If real estate is vacant)
- Make Sure Real Estate & Personal Property Is Locked Up & Secure
- Obtain The Death Certificate
- Get A Copy Of The Will (if applicable)
- Notify Life Insurance Company(ies) Of The Death
- Decide On Attorney Representation (unless filing pro-se, ie. filing without legal counsel)
- Determine Which Level Of Probate Is Necessary For The Estate
- File Probate With The County Clerk
- Run A Notice To Creditors In Newspaper
- Set Up A Bank Account For The Estate
- Set Up Auto-Pay Mortgages, Utilities & Similar Bills Paid Through Disposition
- Determine Legality & Timeframe For Selling Real & Personal Property
(speak with a Probate attorney and a real estate professional who is familiar with Probate)
- Clean Out Any Real Property
- Have Any & All Real Property (real estate) Repaired & Maintained
- Lawn & Landscape Maintenance
- Gutter Cleaning
- Painting & Exterior Trim Repair
- Mechanical Servicing Such As HVAC, Water Heaters, & Appliances
- Interior Repairs & Maintenance Such As Plumbing, Electrical, Condition Upgrades, etc.
- Identify & Divide Personal Property That Heirs Will Keep
- Arrange For An Estate Sale Of Any Valuable Property That The Heirs Don’t Want
- Donate clothing & belongings that the heirs don’t want to sell or keep
- Schedule Cleanout Company To Dispose Of All Non-Valuable Items That The Heirs Don’t Want
- Arrange For A Final Cleaning Of The Property(ies)
- Have Any & All Real Property (real estate) Repaired & Maintained
- Sell Or Rent Any Real Estate Desired
- Start An Inventory Of Assets
- Life Insurance
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- Investment Accounts _________________________________________________________________________
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- Checking & Savings Accounts
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- Employer Pay (ex: final paycheck, death benefits, etc.)_________________________________________
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- Debts
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- Valuable Personal Property
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- Real Estate (Equity)
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- Real Estate (Mortgages) ______________________________________________________________________
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- Other: ________________________________________________________________________________________
- Notify Known Creditors & Obtain Payoff Information – Have Them Discontinue The Accruement Of Interest
- Notify The Social Security Administration & Ensure Survivors Receive Benefits (If applicable)
- Finalize an asset distribution plan
- Pay the estates final debts
- Dispose of assets not going directly to heirs
- Ensure the final distribution of assets to heirs in the will or according to state intestacy laws
- Pay the estates taxes
- Close the estate
- Close the estate bank account after all debts are settled and money is distributed
- File a final accounting with the probate court and ask for the estate to be closed