Checklist - Personal Representative
The following checklist is a general probate checklist for personal representatives. It should not be considered exhaustive and is not intended as legal advice. It is an ideal checklist to be used when meeting with the attorney you select to represent the estate in probate.
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Task
Notify close friends and family
Notify employer
Secure assets
Arrange funeral
Order death certificates
Retain attorney
Submit will to court
Cancel unneeded services
Request Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Notify Social Security
Determine heirs
Start probate process if required/desired
Notify heirs
Establish family allowance if applicable
Forward mail
Notify life insurance companies
Notify IRAs and similar beneficiary accounts
Notify other agencies (DMV, etc.)
Notify extended acquaintances
File IRS Form S6
Open estate bank account
Inventory assets
Publish notice of death
Debt claims deadline expired
Inventory debts
Determine estate solvency
Resolve debts
Plan asset allocation
Pay local property taxes
Provide Schedule K-1 to any trust beneficiaries
Submit final decedent income tax forms (1040)
Submit estate income tax forms (1041)
Deal with state filings
Submit personal liability discharge (5495)
Submit estate tax form (706) if needed
Submit federal heir forms (8971) if needed
Receive federal estate tax closing letter (627) if needed
Make all distributions
Compensate executor
Submit probate final accounting
Submit probate closing statement
Close estate bank account
Due
First Week
First Week
First Week
First Week
First Week
First Month
First Month
First Month
First Month
First Month
First 3 Months
First 3 Months
First 3 Months
First 3 Months
First 3 Months
First 3 Months
First 3 Months
First 3 Months
First 3 Months
First 3 Months
First 3 Months
First 3 Months
First 3 Months
ASAP
ASAP
ASAP
ASAP
ASAP
ASAP
Calendar Year
Calendar Year
Calendar Year
Calendar Year
Calendar Year
9 Months
10 Months
15 Months
ASAP
ASAP
ASAP
ASAP
ASAP
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