Executor Checklist Generator
Being named executor makes you legally responsible for work most people have never done. This puts the duties in the order they actually come up, for the kind of estate you described.
What was left behind?
Roughly how large is the estate?
A rough sense is enough.
Does any of this apply?
First two weeks
- Find the original will and any codicils, and keep them somewhere safe
- Order certified copies of the death certificate, more than you think you need
- Secure the property, vehicles, pets and anything of obvious value
- Redirect the mail so bills and statements come to you
Court
- File the will with the probate court in the county where the person lived
- Petition for letters testamentary, the document institutions will ask you for
- Get several certified copies of the letters at the same time
Assets, debts and notifications
- Open an estate bank account; never mix estate money with your own
- Get an EIN for the estate from the IRS, which is free and takes minutes
- Inventory assets and get date-of-death values
- Notify Social Security, pensions and any benefit providers
- Publish or send creditor notice if your state requires it
- Keep every receipt; you may have to account for all of it
Closing the estate
- File a final personal income tax return, and an estate return if required
- Pay valid debts and taxes before distributing anything
- Distribute to beneficiaries and get signed receipts
- File a final accounting and ask the court to close the estate
Probate is state and county specific, deadlines are real, and an executor can be held personally liable for getting the order of payment wrong.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice.