You're the executor. Someone trusted you enough to name you in their will — and now you're staring at a mountain of responsibilities you've never faced before. This checklist puts every task in order so you don't miss anything and you don't have to figure out what comes next. Print it. Check things off as you go. One task at a time.
Immediately After Death — Days 1-7
Phase 1: The First Week
1. Locate the original will.
2. Secure the deceased's property.
3. Arrange the funeral (if not already handled).
Funeral planning guide →
4. Order 10-12 certified death certificates.
5. Notify Social Security.
6. Notify the deceased's employer.
7. Contact life insurance companies.
8. If the deceased was a veteran — contact the VA.
9. Secure digital accounts.
10. Do NOT distribute any assets yet.
Getting Organized — Weeks 2-4
Phase 2: The First Month
11. Hire a probate attorney (recommended).
12. File the will with probate court.
13. Get your Letters Testamentary.
14. Open an estate bank account.
15. Notify all banks and financial institutions.
16. Inventory ALL assets.
Every asset the deceased owned. File this inventory with the court.
| Asset Category | Where to Look | Documents Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Bank accounts | Bank statements, online banking, mail | Account statements |
| Retirement (401k, IRA, pension) | Employer, financial advisor | Account statements |
| Investments/brokerage | Financial advisor, mail | Account statements |
| Real estate | Property deeds, mortgage statements, tax bills | Deed, appraisal |
| Vehicles | Title documents, registration, glove box | Title, registration |
| Life insurance | Policy documents, employer, mail | Policy declarations |
| Business interests | Business records, partnership agreements | Operating agreements |
| Personal property | Walk through the house | Photos, appraisals for valuables |
| Digital assets | Phone, computer, email, crypto wallets | Access credentials |
17. Inventory ALL debts.
Every debt the deceased owed.
| Debt Category | Where to Look |
|---|---|
| Mortgage | Monthly statements, mail |
| Car loan | Loan documents, payment records |
| Credit cards | Wallet, mail, credit report |
| Medical bills | Hospital/doctor bills, mail, EOBs |
| Personal loans | Documents, mail |
| Student loans | Loan servicer statements |
| Utility bills | Mail, online accounts |
| Tax debts | IRS notices, state tax correspondence |
18. Redirect mail to yourself (or a PO Box).
19. Publish creditor notification.
Paying Debts & Managing Assets — The Long Middle
Phase 3: Months 2-6
20. Wait for the creditor claim period to expire.
21. Pay debts in legal priority order.
This order matters — paying out of order can create personal liability:
- Funeral expenses (already paid — reimburse from estate account)
- Estate administration costs (attorney fees, court fees, your compensation)
- Federal taxes (income tax, estate tax if applicable)
- State/local taxes
- Secured debts (mortgage, car loans — if keeping the asset)
- Unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans)
If the estate doesn't have enough to pay everything: pay in this order until the money runs out. Remaining debts are written off. Do NOT pay unsecured debts with your own money.
22. File the deceased's final income tax return.
23. File an estate income tax return (Form 1041) if needed.
24. Manage estate property.
- Keep the house insured and maintained
- Pay the mortgage, property taxes, and utilities from the estate account
- Maintain the car (insurance, registration) if it hasn't been sold or transferred
- Manage any rental property or business interests
25. Get appraisals for valuable items.
26. Sell assets if needed.
27. Handle the house cleanout (if applicable).
How to clean out a deceased person's house →
Distribution & Closing — The Final Stretch
Phase 4: Months 6-18
28. Prepare the final accounting.
Document EVERY dollar:
- Assets at death (inventory values)
- Income received (insurance, interest, sale proceeds)
- Expenses paid (funeral, debts, taxes, fees)
- Current balance available for distribution
This accounting is filed with the court AND provided to all beneficiaries. Transparency prevents disputes.
29. Distribute assets per the will.
30. Handle any disputes.
31. Pay yourself (executor compensation).
32. File the final accounting with probate court.
33. Close the estate bank account.
34. File final estate tax return if needed.
35. Obtain court discharge.
✅ You're done.
Don't Make These 7 Errors
❌ 1. Distributing assets before debts are fully assessed.
If you give everything to the heirs and then a creditor files a valid claim — YOU may be personally liable. Wait for the creditor period to expire.
❌ 2. Paying debts out of order.
Funeral first. Administration second. Taxes third. Secured fourth. Unsecured last. Paying credit cards before taxes can create personal liability.
❌ 3. Co-mingling estate money with personal funds.
ALWAYS use the estate bank account. Never deposit estate money into your personal account — even temporarily. This is the fastest way to face accusations of theft.
❌ 4. Making decisions without documenting them.
Every expense, every distribution, every decision — document it. Receipts, emails, letters, signed agreements. If a beneficiary challenges you later, your documentation is your defense.
❌ 5. Ignoring taxes.
The deceased's final income tax return AND the estate's tax returns are your responsibility. Missing deadlines creates penalties — charged to the estate (and possibly to you). Hire a CPA.
❌ 6. Acting without Letters Testamentary.
Banks and institutions won't cooperate without this court document. File with probate court FIRST, get your Letters, THEN start managing assets.
❌ 7. Taking it personally when family gets difficult.
Beneficiaries will get impatient. Siblings will disagree. Someone will think you're taking too long or making the wrong decisions. This is normal. Follow the will. Follow the law. Document everything. The job is thankless — but you're doing it because someone trusted you.
Realistic Timeline
| Phase | Timeline | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Week 1 | Funeral, death certificates, immediate notifications, secure property |
| Phase 2 | Weeks 2-4 | Probate filing, estate account, asset/debt inventory, attorney hired |
| Phase 3 | Months 2-6 | Creditor period, debt payment, tax filings, property management |
| Phase 4 | Months 6-18 | Distribution, final accounting, court approval, discharge |
Simple estates (clear will, few assets, no disputes): 6-9 months total. Complex estates (no will, business assets, family disputes, real estate in multiple states): 12-18+ months.
Print this checklist. Put it in the estate file. Check off each item as you complete it. One task at a time. You'll get through this.
Frequently Asked Questions
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